Finished radiation Dec. 23 - cancer free after lumpectomy
I have terrible blisters on my chest wall. Stopped using aquaphor using recommended calendula. Going to see about using silver sulfadiazine. Calling nurses tomorrow. Don’t want it all to get infected ugh. Go back to work Monday.
I feel like they are open sores now - very uncomfortable. They said it would be the worst at New Years and they were not kidding.
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so sorry to hear that. I don’t have any words of advice, but hopefully someone else on here will have some ideas to help.
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Welcome, @kellerj1964! We're so sorry to hear about what you're experiencing, we know it can be so difficult to manage the residual side effects once treatment has finished. Skin side effects do tend to worsen in the last week or so after treatment has ended, and then gradually start to improve. Hopefully, you're on your way out of the worst of it!
Many of our members swear by calendula, and research suggests that it can also promote wound healing so you may find it even more beneficial if your blisters have turned into sores. Miaderm is also highly recommended, and like caldendula cream, is available OTC. Applying a light sterile gauze over the blisters or sores offers an additional layer of protection against potential infection as well as provides a barrier to prevent pain and discomfort from clothing. There are a lot more really helpful tips in this thread:
Your radiation onc should be able to write you an rx for silver sulfadiazine, so definitely give them a call. Again, we hope you're on your way out of the worst of it and on the road to healing!
The Mods
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thank you - going to call them tomorrow.
Did use some silver sulfadiazine last night. Not so bad this morning - always more painful at night it seems. A friend had some from a burn she had. Will reapply today after I shower.1 -
Also try doing a saline soak 3 x a day. That helped me a lot when I started to look like it would develop into open sores.
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@kellerj1964 I hope you are starting to feel better. I had a similar experience post Rad treatment. My medical oncologist said I had one of the worst skin reactions she has seen. I am now 2 months post Rad treatment and my skin is healed and tan in some areas. I just started to have itching under my arm and started my steroid cream again. My biggest milestone was to be able to shower and wear a bra without pain and make it through the day without needing a nap! I cried tears of joy after being able to have a warm soaking bath.
Keep applying creams every day and drink plenty of water. Take care.0 -
thank you doing much better, I was finally able to wear a jog bra today and go for a little run/walk - 3 miles.
not as tired today back to work tomorrow.0
