Knockers are a great idea. :-D. That’ll be lovely lily <3. Xxx
I pushed for a bit more information about when I was likely to start radiotherapy, was told they’ve pencilled me in for the 30th, so I’ll just squeak into November rads. But that is a Wednesday, I thought they always started on a Monday and did complete weeks.
Or maybe they’re just fobbing me off!
I’m on no 5 today, so only had 4 so far, but I think the tiredness is creeping in already, thought this was quite soon. It’s also like a heavy head about to get a cold feeling (hard to describe)!rather than straightforward tiredness - in fact maybe like a few wines the night before, but a full on hangover, just groggy. It may be nothing to do with rads and I may perk up for it to proper hit me later on, but anyone else feel like this and so early on?
I had mastectomy and DIEP 7th September and I had just been getting over the tiredness from that the last few weeks, so perhaps its just a knock on effect?
Hi Powdow. I had exactly the same symptoms and continue to have them to a lesser extent now I’m 2 weeks finished. I described them to my my partner as a feeling I was about to get flu. I’ve decided for me that’s what fatigue must feel like. a combination of what we’ve been through surgically and emotionally alongside being fried! It definitely will improve xx
Me too! I’m on no 17 now with 8 more to go! Am feeling very tired and little or no energy. Have never watched so many sky box sets!!! Longing to feel me again! ?
Hi Lena, it’s a wide local excursion it’s where the surgeon cuts out the diseased area with hopefully a clear margin of tissue. I had to have 2 ops because my first clearance was 2mm and it wasn’t enough there was still some cancer left so.then they took 9 mm more to make sure it was gone 
xx
Hi;
I live in Wisconsin, USA. I am 57 years old and I just finished 33 radiation treatments for breast cancer on the right side. My doctors and nurses who had proven to be extremely diligent in their jobs remained somewhat, “general” on how to prepare and weather through the skin burn caused by radiation when compared to other treatments -in my opinion.
Since the day I was told that I was having radiation, I “Goggled” to see what I could find to assist me through it - especially the burning of the skin side effect. What I found was a bunch of anything and everything.
So, having few strengths but one being resourceful, I began purchasing products and experimenting. Please note that I did not do or use anything that my medical staff would ever object to – only all natural and never applying 4 hours or less prior to radiation… I continued to follow all the general rules.
- Do not use or do anything that you haven’t discussed with your doctors or nurses first; they do know best.
- Never apply 4 hours or less prior to a treatment – it could make it worse!
- Start using whatever healing ointments you choose immediately; do NOT wait until you begin to feel the burn!
- Loose cloths always and cotton not polyester if you are able.
- If you are a woman wanting to wear a bra – don’t; at least every minute of the day you feasibly can. I found myself eventually comfortable going shopping and running errands without anything else to conceal what I was missing and at that point, I didn’t care because it felt so much better that way.
Also know that I was on a budget; yet I felt I needed to pursue any option. Some of the typical recommendations are: What I started with was:
- Corn Starch – I typically use for making gravy…
- Organic Aloe Vera Gel - which in the ingredients list, I found to be a lot of other things along with some Aloe leaf juice. So if you have an Aloe Vera plant, use it!
- Vitamin E Topical Skin Oil - There are many versions, some very watery to some that are like glue but still worth consideration.
- Organic Coconut Oil – also many variations available and definitely worth consideration.
- Organic Calendula Oil – used but no determinations. The description of it is highly recommended for wound care but because it is quite strong, I only used it sparingly mixed in with any of the other products listed above.
- Miaderm – Very highly recommended and also very expensive. When I ordered on amazon.com, I paid 36.00 for a 4 ounce tube. Instructions said apply 3 – 4 times a day; so logically, how long is my 4 ounces lasting?
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy – Not cheap but not expensive.
- CeraVe Healing Ointment - Because the Aquaphor was recommended and this tube was right next to it in that department, I decided to compare.
This is my final observations about these products as I tried them:
- Corn Starch – OK instead of using other approved deodorant but I personally didn’t see any other advantages of this and still do not.
- Organic Aloe Vera Gel – Good but limited in results. It relieved the initial heat and calmed the skin right after the treatment yet didn’t do much for overall healing.
- Vitamin E Topical Skin Oil – Good but limited in results. It also relieved the initial heat and calmed the skin right after the treatment and through the following hours and night and may have assisted in the overall healing.
- Organic Coconut Oil – Good but limited in results. It also relieved the initial heat and calmed the skin right after the treatment and through the following hours and night and may have assisted in the overall healing.
- Organic Calendula Oil –I only used very sparingly mixed in with any of the other products listed above such as a bit mixed in with the Coconut oil but only used hours after the treatment.
- Miaderm – I used sparingly because it was so expensive. It had a slight burn when going on but faded.
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy - THIS IS WHAT I ENDED UP HAVING THE MOST SUCCESS WITH.
- CeraVe Healing Ointment – Ok; similar to Aquaphor but more expensive and heavier to apply to very sensitive skin.
So, here is where I go off the rails; my creativity (in my mind only) decided the following would assist with the healing of these products:
I purchased,(any type of), food grade “Saran Wrap” yes, yes I did. I began experimenting on how, when, where and how much to apply in order to maintain the saturation of the cream or ointment for longer than just a few minutes of relief. In addition, by using the wrap, I avoided the possibility of the cream or ointment drying onto my shirt and when removing my shirt causing great pain as it remove several skin layers; (Yes, yes I did.) If you apply cream or ointment and air hits it for a while, it creates a seal with your skin and clothing. This is not what you want to experience. Putting cream on without wrap is the best without any clothing over it until it has fully dried.
Lesson – If you do not use any type of wrap, do not wear anything that touches the cream or ointment until it is completely dry. I am hesitant to display pics but I am willing to do so if requested. The methods of applying the wrap are really a trial by error. Radiation may be needed in any part of the body and then of course, the area can be varied in size and shape. Therefore, all I can recommend is to apply enough wrap to cover the burn area with at least an inch or more outside of it.
This was an issue for me because my burn site was about the size of a business paper 8.5 X 11. It began right where my left breast stopped and continued to the opposite side of my underarm; (yeah, I gave up on deodorant).
I started applying a few tablespoons of Aloe Vera to about a 10” X 15” cutout of wrap then folding it, putting it in a baggie and taking it with me to the treatment. Before dressing to leave after the treatment, I applied the wrap – carefully – well, the best I could. Yes, it squished out everywhere and I turned green but I had towels and a robe to wipe excess off. So even the initial messy trials, I felt I achieved something. I always read that the sooner you apply gel or ointment for burns, the better it will heal instead of leaving the burn fester. So, I decided my 20 minute drive home after treatment was too long and would create more burn if left untreated.
As the days progressed I got smarter (of course, it took longer than most). I figured out that instead of applying the cream or ointment directly onto the wrap, I would bring a folded piece of clean, dry wrap along with the tube or tub of ointment or cream I was using for that treatment. Immediately after treatment, while in the bathroom or dressing room at the hospital, I applied the ointment or cream to the burn area and slightly beyond. Then I applied the wrap onto the area, wiped any residual off, dressed and I was off.
Once home, I would keep the wrap on for various lengths of time. I found that if I left any of the creams or ointments on too long, they dried out and became harder to remove. Although having done that, never did it hurt or remove skin.
I created a schedule; My treatment was at 11:00 AM; therefore, I would apply at the completion of the treatment about 11:30ish and leave it on for the afternoon. If the skin felt good, I would remove the wrap and let it, “Air” until bedtime. Then, at bedtime, I would apply the lotion or ointment with another wrap. Some nights I removed the wrap sometime during the night and always before 7:00 AM; (4 hours or more prior to the next treatment).
I have read just a few of the blogs of angels going through this process in many varying degrees. I am one of the luckier ones yet I feel a sincere need to assist anyone going through this part of their process. I acknowledge that just like all of us, cancer is varied and surprising. If you do want to contact me after this rambling, I have created a specific Gmail email for us to communicate. I set up, lizziecancerwarrior@gmail.com if you would like to communicate knowing that I am not selling anything nor do I want anything from you.
All of everything I did and recommended above is based on my own common sense. Your own common sense must dictate what is best for you in this endeavor. I am doing this because there wasn’t anyone out there for me to give me some additional crazy ideas.
God Bless and know that in some way, we were meant to go through this… which is such a bunch of crap.
–Lizzie Cancer Warrior
Hi ladies
had an unexpectedly early call from hospital today and I’m starting rads on Tuesday next week and not on the 2 December as originally thought. Caught me off guard a little that’s for sure. Feeling a little mixed - happy the next step is so close, but apprehensive too. I’ve suffered with my skin on and off since childhood and still get a little eczema on my shoulder blades so I’m a bit worried how I’ll get on. I’m sure they’ll keep a close eye on me. Here we go now! X
Oh Lena I’ve just re read my earlier post I ment excision cut not excursions ( I did laugh at a wide trip :-D.)
Beth that’s great news, the quicker you start the quicker it’s over. I’ve got very sensitive skin and was really worried but I’m half way through now and I haven’t had any skin problems yet I’m sure you’ll be looked after very well xxxxx
Sending love and best wishes to everyone else and best of all its nearly Friday xxxxxx
Hi. Thought I’d update on fluey feeling. Over the last few days I’ve had an increasingly painful throat, painful to swallow but deep in the throat. I saw my GP who says it can be a common after effect of both radiotherapy and also a side effect of the Anastrazole - we are monitoring and I have some drugs to try - deep joy. X
Hi Janey, that’s such a shame especially as your are two weeks finished, you’d expect things to be improving. Here’s hoping it clears quickly.
Woo hoo second week of rads done and all is going well they said they’re pleased with my skin and it’s all looking good. only 5 more sessions to go and then I’ll be on the home run 
xx
Congratulations Flossy on finishing your rads today wishing you all the best with your future xxx
Have a restful weekend everyone lv Clair xx
Woohoo and happy Friday. Enjoy peaceful weekends. Powwow the GP has said not tonsillitis but a side effect of either Rads or Anastrazole ? I’ve been given some tablets to try. X
Well now I’m a bit puzzled. I’ve been pushing for a date for the start of radiotherapy for ages as things seem to have drifted along at a snail’s pace. So three days ago I was told I was pencilled in to start on November 30 the and would get a letter with a date for the set-up appointment about ten days beforehand. So far no letter, so my husband rang up again today, they told him I was definitely starting on the 30th but there was no separate setup appointment.
So that sounds like the setup and the radiotherapy run together, I thought there was usually at least a few days between the setup and the start of radiotherapy proper.
I know it sounds like I’m keen to get started, but apart from anything else I have Christmas to plan, it sounds like we’ll be running up to December 21st. I have several lunchtime events I need to know whether I can make them. It’s not the best time of year to be having peak side effects…
Can I ask your opinion ladies?
as I’ve mentioned, my rads start on Tuesday (15 & 5) and I was planning on taking the whole time off from work during this treatment. The hospital is no where near where we live - we’ve timed it and getting there during the day, door to door is about 80 mins each way, peak time of day and it’s even longer.
Im already exhausted after going back to work probably too soon (3 weeks after surgery) and I’m worried that if I push myself further to work the hours we are not on the road, by Christmas I’ll have burnt out completely(pardon the pun).
Lots of people have told me that they worked all the way through rads and look at me weird, as if I’m taking the mick when I say I won’t be. Surely we are all different? My BCN , GP and counsellor want me to take the time off and they know me better than anyone. Why then do I feel guilty? Why am I letting these people make me feel like I’m being lazy?
Not a happy bunny this evening.
PS still have my cold which isn’t helping. Booooo
sorry for ranting!!
Beth, Rubycat is very right. Take the time you need. It can be a tiring time and we are all so different. Be kind to yourself xx
Well that’s me done. I’ve finished being zapped. 15 sessions all finished with no side effects apart from a slightly pink boob but nothing to worry about. For me it’s been a positive experience but glad it’s all over and done with - I can’t praise the team at Musgrove Hospital enough but do hope I don’t ever have to see them again ? For anyone just starting good luck, it’s not as bad as you might imagine and the times goes quickly once you get into the routine - don’t take too much notice of “Google” as a lot of it is very inaccurate! Remember we are all individuals and react to things differently - keep positive, drink plenty of water and moisturise loads. Much love to everyone 
There’s a bell ringing over the border in Devon for you Flossy! Congratulations x
Flopsy, not sure if throats/gland same problem I have but maybe worth checking out with GP. Can be a side effect both of rads and hormone treatment. I’ve been given some medication to try and resolve, as swallowing painful x
Congratulations Flossy ???
I’m a week on from rads and only a little more pink but a sore throat has turned into a stinker of a cold, just what I needed, not.
best wishes everyone x