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DonnaD · 04-01-2008, 01:53 PM

Hi Melanie,
Just a few thoughts about radiation and recovery from it. I am by far no expert but was told radiation does cause tissue changes in the radiated breast. I would assume that is why surgery is done later giving the internal tissue time to heal. I do not believe the skin area gets worse once you are done with radiation. But I did have a delayed reaction to the boost. About a week after the boost I had the exact outline of the boost area appear red and very sensitive. I was still applying the cream (they gave me 3 different creams throughout radiaition) they gave me to the area and beyond as they prescribed. My radiation onc. nurse was a wound specialist and recommended Vigilon. It looks like a thin gel pack and is moist and cool. I applied that right onto the irritated area several times a day, storing it in the refrig. Within days it was gone and never returned. That was the only problem I had with radiation!

I had to tweek my Herceptin a few times to meet traveling schedules. I never delayed it but got it a few days early. Like Becky said you have a few days to play with.

I do hope your work trip is somewhere fun and WARM!

Good luck.
Donna

04-01-2008, 01:53 PM	#4
DonnaD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Marengo, IL Posts: 518	Hi Melanie, Just a few thoughts about radiation and recovery from it. I am by far no expert but was told radiation does cause tissue changes in the radiated breast. I would assume that is why surgery is done later giving the internal tissue time to heal. I do not believe the skin area gets worse once you are done with radiation. But I did have a delayed reaction to the boost. About a week after the boost I had the exact outline of the boost area appear red and very sensitive. I was still applying the cream (they gave me 3 different creams throughout radiaition) they gave me to the area and beyond as they prescribed. My radiation onc. nurse was a wound specialist and recommended Vigilon. It looks like a thin gel pack and is moist and cool. I applied that right onto the irritated area several times a day, storing it in the refrig. Within days it was gone and never returned. That was the only problem I had with radiation! I had to tweek my Herceptin a few times to meet traveling schedules. I never delayed it but got it a few days early. Like Becky said you have a few days to play with. I do hope your work trip is somewhere fun and WARM! Good luck. Donna __________________ Donna Crystal Lake, IL Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54 Lumpectomy 8/30/06 Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++ 1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9 Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin 36 rads completed 5/16/07 Mammograms, 7/07 clear fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07 Finished Herceptin 12/27/07 Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable NED 2 years!! 3 years !!! 4years!!!! 4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!! Official 5 years 8/30/2011 8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!