Radiation: What should I expect? What are your tips?

I used radiologist recommended PhysAssist Oncology Cream before during and after 21 treatments and had to wear a cotton support bra till fully healed. Six months later I developed a hematoma or scar tissue. It's a hard lump and irritating. I found aloe freeze gel with Lidocaine that isn't messy and feels good on your skin. Also helps calm the discomfort from the lymph nodes scar.

I had 20 sessions. Fair skinned. I washed with Neutrogena Transparent soap and used Calendula cream. I'd apply it thickly every time I came home and whenever my breast or underarm felt hot. I didn't peal. Last week was the hardest on my skin. I had discoloration nearer my arm. The last week concentrated on the tumor. 3:00 o'clock, near nipple. Sometimes I didn't wear a bra after. Whatever feels best. Also, I slept after because that's what my body wanted. Good luck!

I am 8 days into my radiation. So far the skin reaction is not so bad. I’ve been making sure to stay hydrated and use creams. What I found surprising was that I had an overall systemic reaction to the radiation. I have multiple joint osteoarthritis already. I’m 68 years old, what it was was like all my joints just started to hurt badly. I told my husband it was like I felt like I had the flu like I’ve been beat up. I did not have a fever and I did not have any kind of flu like congestion or cough. Nothing like that so I asked the radiologist about it and he said yes this can happen because the Radiation is causing an inflammation in my breast and when you have an inflammatory response in your body, it can release cytokines, just like when you do have the flu or another bad virus. It resolved after about three days and taking ibuprofen and I feel much better now, but I thought it was interesting that I haven’t read anything about this in my research on radiation therapy for breast cancer. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

@babs28
Aquaphor has a spray that feels cold when applied. I also don’t normally use Aquaphor as a moisturizer because it’s too greasy. But radiation is completely different. It’s more like a sunburn. I applied the prescription mometasone steroid and then sprayed the Aquaphor on top. Not having to rub it on was a big relief. I didn’t burn at all. Some people burn and my radiation oncologist told me that you never know how each individual person’s skin will react. I never used Aquaphor before radiation and never used it after. But it was a lifesaver with 30 rounds of radiation.

The first treatments are easy. It is the cumulative effect that is bothersome. My total treatment was completed in 16 installments and I was sore and raw. Advice - only use the lotions they recommend! I found halfway through that the salve I was using had an oil compound that was frying my breast! Lots of fatigue, too.
My sister on the other hand followed all their recommendations and had the same dosage stretched across six weeks. She had NO problems except for fatigue.