Radiation questions??

[hestko76]

Hi,
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time. I do read all new posts every day, though! I completed 6 rounds of TCH on April 24. Now I've had 11 radiation treatments. I have a few questions for you experts!
1. My breast is turning red... Is that normal?
2. I've heard that radiation makes you tired. When?
3. I now have breast lymphedema. Is that common? Any things I can do to help it?
Thanks for answering any questions you can. You are a great bunch of positive and caring women.....
Helen
Stage 1b Grade 3
Er-Pr-
HER2 ++

[roz123]

hi there

anwers to your questions (from my experience)
1. red skin is normal if you are blond/fair - i am olive skinned and just "tanned"
2. I was exhausted my last week of rads, it continued for 2 wks after and then I felt better
3. i didn't have breast swelling, but i hear it is normal

hope this helps

[Melissa]

Hello,

1 - yes my breast turned red and still to this day is a little darker than my other breast. I'm pretty fair.

2 - tiredness is probably different for everyone - I was worse through chemo

3 - yes I also got and still have some breast swelling. My surgeon says it's from scar tissue from the radiation and has suggested to remove it but I've just never gotten around to it.

( for the redness you can get some special cream from the radiologist, it help to sooth my skin)


I hope everything goes well for you...


Melissa

[hestko76]

Thanks Roz and Melissa for responding. I am fair skinned, so I'm glad to hear others got red too. I hope I can breeze through rads without the tiredness.

We are off to camp this weekend with another breast cancer survivor (presently in treatment too) and her husband whom we met at the NM Cancer Retreat in ABQ. She is not HER2+, but just finished her chemo and soon will start rads at the same place I do. It is a small world! Let's hope the smoke from the NM fires do not dampen our time. Have a great weekend .... all of you!

[Kellennea]

Here's my input -

1.) Yes. I finished radiation about a year ago and my radiated breast is still a little tan. (I never really turned red, just tan)

2.) I had radiation at 7:30 am and went straight to work afterwords, I never got fatigued/tired. I think everyone reacts differently.

3.) I still have some swelling, however slight a year later. I was offered to have it drained and decided against it. It seems to be not as swollen as it originally was.