Effects of Radiation

[8576]

I finished 15 radiation treatments on my breast on Oct. 9. I am still doing saline treatment and wound care. Just wondering if this is normal. Anyone else take that long? The radiation nurse said last week it would be a month more to heal. I am very concerned about not letting it get into a chronic state that doesn't heal. Mostly one small area still weeping from the blisters. The rest is looking good. I have large breasts and can't wear a brassiere now and the sores are on the under side so I think making it difficult to heal.

Minesing Women ( June S.

[Livinthedream]

Awful! Im so sorry that your going through this. A couple of things, coconut oil blended with shea butter worked magic on rad burns and also calendula gel helps. I would not wear a bra but use a mans tshirt and tuck it under my breasts. Talk to your radiation team nurses they can get you meds and help too. Good luck

[risingwaves]

Yes I have had some effects. After a well tolerated course of 15 radiation treatments on my lung I started to develop a cough and still a bit breathless. Have been giving steroids which have been effective. Cough is so much better but is still there. The steroids open airways and I do find I am less breathless and I think things are settling down. I dont want to stay on steroids so they are tapering off the doze. The McMillan nurse told me it could take a little while to settle down, so I am hopeful.

[carolannjohnson]

I'm sorry you had to go through this. I too had radiation 2nd and 3rd degree burns. It took months to heal. I also had a lot of dental problems, that I never had before radiation. I ending up having all pulled and a dental plate. Also, hair loss. Radiation made me very tired. Radiation can be just as bad physically as chemo. Take care..This too shall pass.

[mariootsi]

Just want to wish you well in your recovery from the radiation.

It does take a toll. I pray you heal and can put this behind you very soon.

Love,

Marianne

[8576 in reply to mariootsi]

Thanks to all of you. Much appreciated. I have been told not to use anything. Just the Saline treatments and unscented Lubriderm or Glaxil.

June S.

[hopenowandtomorrow]

In the hospital they use medicinal grade Manuka Honey for skin burns & wound care. It is highly effective. I used it after my 26 rounds of radiation. It is very sticky. After applying I put a light gauze on it. It sticks without any tape. To soothe my skin after a shower, I used the gel from an aloe plant (they grow in my back yard). You can find them in the produce section in the grocery store too. You can get the medicinal grade Manuka honey from Amazon. Praying for relief & healing ❤️🙏❤️

[Ruffledfeathers]

Yes like livinthdream I used calendula then aloe Vera and coconut oil one with the other. The radiation team asked me what I was using after about ten treatments. I told them and asked if that was ok as they are all ‘natural’ products and wondered if they’d approve. They said whatever your doing keep doing it. The oncologist also told me to keep using it as your skin can be affected for a while after treatment finishes.

Hope you carry on healing 8576 and you find something that works for you x

[Livinthedream in reply to Ruffledfeathers]

Exactly! My onco team had never seen anyone at week 4-6 with skin like mine. I made several jars for my radiation sisters who all loved it and appreciated do much.

[8576]

will mention it to my radiologist.

[8576]

I am familiar with the aloe vera plant and in fact they have some growing on the reception desk so not sure why it wasn't recommended. We used it years ago for sun burn on a trip to Florida. Worked great.

Cheers, June S. (8576)

[Ruffledfeathers]

So Livinthedream do you mix it all together in a jar ? I put mine on one after the other but mixing it first makes sense and just as effective 😊. Anything natural isn’t going to harm your skin and that’s the way I think of it.

[Rbeth]

I had radiation 11 years ago. I used radiagel after each treatment then put baby powder on so it didn’t get on my clothes. There is a company that has 100% organic cotton slip on bras. Look at the Blue Canoe catalog or website. Quite a few of my friends have been happy with the products. Good Luck. Healing wishes. Reenie

[8576]

Thanks. I will check it out. Do they have sizes that fit large size busts? I have large breasts, (unfortunately) and the left one is swollen from the radiation.

June S.

[8576]

I called today to ask about applying something to help healing but no, I am to stick to the saline soak and nothing more on the open wounds.