Advice on Radiotherapy

Hi Dane,
I finished my rads 3 weeks next Tues. as I did not have chemo and had underarm hair if not shaved,I was told I could not shave or use deodorant or really anything that smelled on my skin. I washed with simple baby wash and I used aqueous cream and also 100 % aloa vera ( a friend brought it back from tenerife ) I thought the aloa vera worked. I did not use any creams about 2 hours before rads and waited about an hour after rads before lashing on the creams. I am still lashing on the creams.I would freshen up during the day with a Johnson baby wipe, but not before or an hour or two after rads. I know I am ment to wait a bit longer but I took a chance and shaved the underarm with an electric razer yesterday. So far so good, but I won't use deodorant yet. The skin is fine but still have a lot of pain inside the boob. And also very very tired. Wishing you all the best. Take care.
G x

Hi Dane - I used a natural crystal deodorant which is available in health shops. I used aqueous cream as a soap and I would bring a little tub with me to rads and apply it on the area immediately after treatment. Like Gtlheart I lashed the aqueous on several times during the day. I have to say I experienced no tiredness from the treatment . Good luck with the rads.

Hi Dane,

I had 18 rads in July and it flew really. I had heard horror stories but it was actually grand. It's very important to do exactly as the nurses tell you. Some advise very different things.

So that's what I did: exactly as I was told. I used to have rads in the AM so I'd freshen up with a baby wipe (so that the skin was clean), and head out the door. When the machines are in working order things run like clock work. When you get on the bed the whole thing only lasts a few mins. I brought a little tub of aqueous cream with me and lashed on the first lot of the day before getting re-dressed. Then I'd apply it another time during the day. I'd shower before bed and lash on some more before getting into bed. The creams are hugely important.

I didn't use any deodorant but I kept baby wipes with me in case I needed freshening up. I did use an electric razor once too coz you know: eww!! I washed with baby wash and used to take the marker off the boob with baby oil on a cotton pad. Only be careful you don't pull at your skin too much.

I developed a tiny burn on the scar under my arm the week after I finished but I was just uncomfortable for a few days and that was it.

I was tired alright but nothing like what I was expecting and usually felt better after a bit of a walk. I started the tamoxifen at the same time and I was blaming the rads for the joint pains in my legs but it was actually from the tamoxifen.

But I have no doubt things will go very smoothly for you. Best of luck with all. We'll be thinking of you.
Sarah. X

Hi Dane

All the women are right, loads of cream!! If they ask you what time is best for you, if you can do it at all, try and get as early an appointment as possible. That way, you should have your skin nice and dry (having creams on when having radiotherapy is like using baby oil to sunbathe). And as said already, start lashing on the aquaeous cream before getting dressed and try and use it as often as possible. If you can at all, it might be best to wear baggy t-shirts and sweaters, and no bra - the more you let your skin breathe, the better. I used to go around the house topless for as long as possible.

Make sure to tell the staff if you feel any bit of discomfort at all - I ended up putting big silver pads and using a special gel that was given to me by one of the nurses when burns started appearing and it prevented the problem from getting worse.

The other thing is not to forget to moisturise your back and shoulder because you could get exit burns as well.

And that is it I think.

Best of luck Dane, I'm sure you can't believe you are at the radiotherapy stage now?

Encee

I finished 25 rounds of it last week. I can't believe how fast that time went. I was okay for the first two weeks, then at week 3 my skin did start to redden and get a bit sore. I attended Whitfield in Waterford and was told to put[b:mutq02ta] nothing whatsoever[/b:mutq02ta] on my skin, only the cortisone cream that they suggested and to use that very very sparingly. Also not to put anything on it for two weeks after treatment. I have a bottle of pure aloe vera gel and I asked the nurse if I could use that and again I was told no. I think she was nervous of any risk of infection putting cream on to skin that may be broken.
Best of luck with your treatment. Let us know how you get on.

Due to start this on Monday - had the CMF chemo to "sensitise" the area pre RT. Feel that it will burn the bejaysus out of me and while most people say RT is a walk in the park am very anxious.

That said my anxiety could be because a) I have started chemo again b) Am under investigation for a 3rd clot ... even if on anti clotting meds or c) Waiting on CT scan regarding query secondaries to ribs.

Oh yes, never a dull moment. I am sure that if this doesn't get me .... I will look back upon 2012 as the year that Murphy's Law became my watchword!

Hi Dane
I'm due to start radio on wed next in SJH. I'm also anxious. I'm trying hard to make myself not worry but I'm just like that. I get a knot in my stomach every time I think about it. But we must surely have been through worse already. We'll be in this together so can compare notes!
Good luck on Monday.
Jo xx

Thanks Jo. Yeah you and I appear to be in sync at the minute what with cording and now starting RT. Best of luck to you and fingers crossed we will skip through this stage with no problems.

Will pm u with progress.

D

Hey Jo
Just to say 2 RT down and it is all ok. Little scary at first with all the lasers - felt a James Bond experience was on the cards but anxiety passed and it went ok.
The girls are really nice on the unit and reassure you/give plenty of advice. Fingers crossed you will be fine tomorrow too. All the best.

D

Hi Dane
Thanks for the reassurance. Of course I have a knot in my stomach but i'll be ok once the first one is over. I'm going to close my eyes and pretend I'm at the beach! I'll have a long day, leaving home 7am for appt with oncologist 8.30am first then radiation 10.30. I think I'll be getting the prescription for tamoxifen tomorrow also so more fun ahead.
Will keep you posted.
Jo xx

Thanks Jo. Won't be on Tamoxifen myself as I keep getting clots but they have something else no doubt to use instead. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Talk soon. D

Hi Josephine,
Snap - I'm going to see my oncologist tomorrow too and also presume I'll get the perscription for tamoxifin. I'm starting radiotherapy on Mon 3rd Dec.
We're all in this together

Hope your journey is not being too awful,
Shirls

Hi girls
So one down, OMG, the length of time I had to stay in position, couldn't even feel my arms at the end!
Otherwise, all ok.

I've got it all to look forward to. I think I could face anything after this chemo it has to be the worst. While bearable and I'm enduring it ill be glad when it's over. Only two left 10th dec and New Year's Eve happy days

Mary

Hi Dane
Hows chemo treating you this time?I really hope its easier for you.Hows the rads going for you?

xx W

Hi Wilmaone

CMF chemo definitely better than first regime I did. It gives flu like symptoms and I am really tired but fingers crossed .... Only 1 done so don't want to count my chickens.

Next one 5th Dec then another one Christmas week.

How r u feeling/doing now?

Dane

Hi
Hope it stays ok for you.Im not too bad thanks,have kidney infection so feelin bit rough,but otherwise ok.In on monday to see surgeon for folow up so fingers crossed.

XX W