About to start radiotherapy

Tinkat said:

I have just had my planning session for radiotherapy on my right breast (mastectomy in July 2019, tissue expander now in place)
I was worried about having the tattoos but they were just a scratch.  The CT machine closest to my home (I live in SW WA) was not able to do the scan so I had to travel a couple of hours closer to Perth. All ok there though.  Apparently the images are not so good with the magnet in place on my tissue expander but the newer machine was good.  It was just a wasted journey, a week after chemo.  So I am hoping I can get some good tips from those of you who have been through the radiotherapy journey (I think I have 25 daily sessions).  

Sometimes things are just painful hey! waiting, changed plans, more travel ... 
I hope the daily sessions go more smoothly! 
My radiation seemed like a walk in the park compared to chemo, think the worst part was waiting when they were running behind. 
I turned this time into reading a trashy mag, listening to a podcast or sending texts to my friends with a packet of sweet biscuits and a juice - something that made me feel a little good about myself and distracted me. 
Just keep an eye on your skin, keep hydrated and I hope it's an easier journey for you 

Hello @Tinkat, good to hear you have made it to RT! I’m on day 8 of 25 today. I’ve used MooGoo so far so good - there is a thread running at present on skin treatments and also calendulacream seems popular. Best tip is to start your preferred skin treatment now every day and then double it when you start and after that even more and the nurseS will be advising you by then. I’m on MooGoo udder cream three time’s a day Day 5 onwards. Nurse was pleased with skin today. Clinic used to offer Mepitel film and a gel called Strata XRT. They said it wasn’t convincingly better and they don’t offer it anymore but a number of ladies on this forum have used these with success. Hope this helps, Tinksxx.

HI @Tinkat,


Personally, I found radiation (30 rounds) a walk in the park compared to the chemo.  It was  a pain in the but driving there everyday for 6 weeks but apart from that I got through pretty ok. I had some burning but not until about number 20 or therabouts. I was lucky and never ssuffered from fatigue or anything else really apart from a bit sensitive to the sun.
Tips :
  Moogoo udder cream by the bucket load.  Some girls use the mepitel film as well. My hospital never mentioned it though.
When it got a bit ouchy and weepy towards the end I used solosite and some soft gauze to take the burn out, then flamazene after I finished which healed everything up pretty quick. 

Best part about radiation...........the rope on the wall to pull yourself up with :)
All the best lovely