7mm invasive ductal carcinoma

Are you sure that you had 600 Gy per session? That is an enormous amount.

I am having 4 weeks (20 days) of treatment with a total just under 50 Gy.

Typical breast cancer dose is 45 to 60 Gy total.

I also had 600 Gray for 5 sessions!

I understand how scared you are. I had a lympnodectomy, lumpectomy, and 30 treatments of radiation for stage1B. The radiation was not a problem for me and I used a skin cream that I got on Amazon. “Skin recovery cream” My skin is fine. My breast is a little smaller, but that didn’t happen until a few months ago, when I noticed it. Hugs to you my “sister.”

Sorry, I was listing cGY not GY. I didn’t know the difference until you questioned it. Looks like it was 300 GY total.
See the cancer center report from MD Anderson. I also included the “map” where they focused the radiation.
VMAT format sends radiation in layers, less on surrounding area, more on cancer bed. You can see the color outlines of where radiation was concentrated, right breast. Also includes outlines of excluded areas.

I also used the breath & hold method where radiation was activated only when I took a large breath and held it. It brought my chest up away from organs. It was very interesting- I was turning on/off the radiation rays with breathing.

I did 5 consecutive days. But I now believe they are scheduling five days total, with tx every other day.

I’m surprised that your radiologist does not giving you cream. They gave me cream and prescription for another cream. But I was one of the lucky ones that only have five days of radiation. The first type was a petroleum jelly.🤗

Following is a Centigray (cGy) to Gray (Gy) chart that might be helpful.

Centigray [cGy] Gray [Gy]
0.01 cGy 0.0001 Gy
0.1 cGy 0.001 Gy
1 cGy 0.01 Gy
2 cGy 0.02 Gy
3 cGy 0.03 Gy
5 cGy 0.05 Gy
10 cGy 0.1 Gy
20 cGy 0.2 Gy
50 cGy 0.5 Gy
100 cGy 1 Gy
1000 cGy 10 Gy

@mimzy Praying for you that your lumpectomy and recovery go smoothly. Please give us an update when you're feeling up to it. Zebra

Radiation was easy. Bring questions in writing. I had to inhale and hold my breath. 20 visits. I used Aquaphor and Calendula creams. No burns.

Few people have mention holding breath during radiation, I also had to hold breath to help prevent radiation from effecting other organs.

Funny story, they played music during radiation. Once a song called "Breath" was playing, there I was trying to hold my breath and listening to song telling me to breath. It was all I could do not to laugh.

Laurie

@mimzy :

You are in my thought and prayers since yesterday; we pray that your surgery went successfully well and you shall recover completely soon!