Radiation starts tomorrow

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saphire
saphire Member Posts: 108
edited November 2014 in Health and wellbeing

Hello to all

Radiation starts tomorrow I am apprehensive of the unknown once again and in the midst of this my husband has his back operation is the following Monday in Newcastle and I wont be able to see him as I have radiation for four weeks and on top of this my daughter, Narelle is in hospital also at Port Macquarie.

Can you tell me what I am about to expect from my Radiation to prepare me as you prepared me for chemo as I love everybody"s in put

I have 4 weeks of it

Hugs to everyone Karen

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  • Chixon
    Chixon Member Posts: 153 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    I have just finished radiation (25sessions). I was a little fatigued..but no too bad...still able to get out and about as normal Badly burnt across my chest and under my arms..but have dressings to put on the burns..and they will heal. I didn't start to burn though until towards the end of treatment. My sessions lasted about 20 minutes..but I had to have both sides of my chest done. (Cancer in both breasts).Found all the staff lovely and very supportive throughout my treatment. Basically you lie down...arms above your head...told to stay still...the staff adjust the machine to your individual 'mapping' ...they leave the room... commence radiation (which only takes a few minutes ) and your done!! None of the terrible side effects of Chemo.Hope this is a help. Good luck tomorrow. Let's know how you are going. Chris.x
  • Chixon
    Chixon Member Posts: 153 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Just thought...everyone has a different reaction to things...you may not burn as I have done. ( I sun baked a lot growing up and had sun damaged skin..which didn't help me.) Cheers . Chris.x
  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Thankyou I have fair skin so probably will I have been doing my creams is it alright to wear ordinary deodrant now or should I still wear aluminium free one

    Thanks Chris for your reply hugs to you Karen

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Thankyou I have fair skin so probably will I have been doing my creams is it alright to wear ordinary deodrant now or should I still wear aluminium free one

    Thanks Chris for your reply hugs to you Karen

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Thanks for that information Chris I will do the same

    x Karen

  • memyselfI
    memyselfI Member Posts: 54 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Saphire, I saw your blog on Livefeed so have added my tuppence worth.

    My radiation team started me applying a special Sorbolene cream 4 times a day for a week or so before & only using deodorant for sensitive skin & not using deod until after daily radiation dose. I have fair skin & Specialist predcted it would burn but it didnt. I was meticulous about using the cream

    My radiation oncologist does firmly believe that if you walk for at least 30 mins after your treatment it gives the body a chance to re balance itself after the radiation "onslaught" as he calls it. Drinking plenty of water does a good job of rehydrating you and using heaps of prescribed Sorbolene cream protects the skin. My friend who had 6 1/2 wks of radiation treatment just 2 months prior to me gave me heaps of good advice and she breezed through it too. I certainly would't be fearful if ever it was essential for me to need radiotherapy in the future. (I have actually just had my fourth followup mammogram & all looks very healthy) I also scheduled the daily treatment into my life as an essential (on my friend's advice) so that I didn't resent the daily trips to the hospital but appreciated the medical facilities that were so available to me. I did something special each day too like going out for a coffee, picking a bunch of flowers etc I had another friend who bought herself 25 scratchie tickets & opened one each day of radiotherapy to make it a fun experience. She won $200!!

    Lots of prayers & encouragement Patricia

  • TonyaM
    TonyaM Member Posts: 2,836 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    What a difficult time for your whole family- life can be very unfair. I think you'll find radiation ALOT easier than chemo.It's just tedious going every day.The actual zap is quite quick and painless.After a few days or so you might see some redness and it feels like sunburn.I got tired about halfway.I'm fair but my skin never broke down- it just looked like a bad case of sunburn.Staff will advise you on creams and painkillers.I found it helpful to soak in a warm salt bath each night. I alternated with aloe vera gel and vit e cream.I'd apply creams after the zap.The first session is scary,especially when everyone leaves the room.But honestly,after that,it just becomes routine. Good luck for tomorrow.Tonya xx
  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Hi Patricia

    Thankyou for all your tips and I love the idea of coffee or doing something nice hope all keeps going well for yourself and lots of prayers to you also.

    I will blog how it all goes for me as well I will remember to drink lots of water and yes I have been using creams all the way through chemo as well .

    Hugs to you

    xx Karen

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Hello Tonya

    Yes I think everyday will be tedious as I have an hours drive to go to the hospital I have four weeks of it .

    The first treatment will be the most confronting I hope everything is going well for you on your journey

    Hugs Karen

  • Jane221
    Jane221 Member Posts: 1,195 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Best of luck with your radiation treatment, it sounds as though you have given your skin a great headstart and hopefully you will have few problems. My skin did breakdown in the last week or so of treatment (25 sessions) but the nurses were available each day to soothe and dress the area with a combination of Moo Goo cream (lovely stuff) and pawpaw ointment under the dressings. A cool washer applied to the area was also very soothing.

    The staff at the radiation oncology unit I went to were wonderful and went to great lengths to explain everything and answer my questions, particularly in the beginning when it was all so new.  Hopefully you will experience the same level of support and care.

    Best wishes, Jane

     

     

  • Jane221
    Jane221 Member Posts: 1,195 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    Best of luck with your radiation treatment, it sounds as though you have given your skin a great headstart and hopefully you will have few problems. My skin did breakdown in the last week or so of treatment (25 sessions) but the nurses were available each day to soothe and dress the area with a combination of Moo Goo cream (lovely stuff) and pawpaw ointment under the dressings. A cool washer applied to the area was also very soothing.

    The staff at the radiation oncology unit I went to were wonderful and went to great lengths to explain everything and answer my questions, particularly in the beginning when it was all so new.  Hopefully you will experience the same level of support and care.

    Best wishes, Jane

     

     

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Hello Jane

    Thankyou for all your tips we will see how I go

    Hugs Karen

  • mgndam1603
    mgndam1603 Member Posts: 753 ✭
    edited March 2015
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    I used the sorbelene cream starting prior to my radiation and 4 x daily, I used dove soap, cyrstal rock deodorant stick and took wet ones with me to wipe off the black marker otherwise it goes over your clothing.

    I did burn but not as badly as some and I went to dressings with solugel. I did find I was fatigued and near the end of my 30 treatments needed someone to drive me as I was just too tired.

    Good luck and sending you hugs.

    Donna

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Hello Donna

    I am four days in now and I have been very good with my creams and so far I have had only bit of redness but as I know it is early days yet, thankyou for the different things helped you.

    Hugs Karen

  • saphire
    saphire Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2015
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    Has anyone heard of apple cider vinegar being ok to use while on radiation I am very sceptical about it so I thought I would just ask in case I am wrong

    Thanks Karen

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