Sunday, March 6, 2011

A week post radiation

It's been a busy few weeks around here. I've been meaning to post about life after radiation and just have been too tired to come up with words.
The first 2 days I didn't see any change. My skin was still scaly and red, tender and sensitive to the touch. When I woke up the third day, there was a big change. It looked like I had burned myself with a hot iron in the area where the boost was directed. Instantly everything made it hurt. I slathered lotions and ointments on it in an effort to stave off the irritation. Sleeping was difficult, as every time I flipped over, the skin under my arm pulled and stung.
By day 5 it was very scaly and hurt when I raised my arm. It just pulled the skin tight. I'd forget until I'd go to reach for something and feel the pull. But it passed within 2 days.
I started to peel, so I just keep moisturizing. The biggest spot of alligator skin has now turned into baby pink skin, tender and new.
I still have a lot of peeling to do, and fading of the brown pigment, but I think the worst of it has passed. All in all, it wasn't horrible...it was like a really bad sunburn. Uncomfortable and rough at first but tolerable.
And I got the best surprise from Bart. He booked me a flight to Florida for some mandatory R&R with my Dad & Stepmom at their condo on the beach. I leave Early Wednesday morning and I get to stay for a whole week. I am one lucky girl. Of course I'm going to have to keep my burned skin out of the sun, but there's plenty of me not burned that could use a little warm sunshine. It's going to be so awesome.

1 comment:

Jen on the Edge said...

I'm glad to hear that your skin is finally healing. It just occurred to me that aloe vera (if you have a plant handy, that is)(I do) might have helped with the burned feeling.

Anyway, I'm excited that you get to have a week of R&R at the beach!