Protecting body from radiotherapy

Hi @LIttleBlueWren good to know! I won’t worry quite so much in the shower now. Will still be careful but I have been paranoid a about keeping it dry.  Nurse Allison is lovely.  Just saw her tonight at treatment 😊 Everyone here is so nice.
Have a good weekend, Susan xxx

Hi @Wonk
I was not told to avoid getting it wet! I just showered as normal...oops
Mine needed patching up at least once a week. I kept up my walking and gardening and would notice that I got a bit hot and itchy under the mepitel, but a nice shower always fixed that.
Hope you get to meet nurse Alison...she is lovely.

Hi @Pookie I’m currently on Day 11 also at the Wesley @LIttleBlueWren with Mepitel and no sign of any pinkness at all. I was offered the choice to have Mepitel and after reading comments on this forum I said yes. Very happy I did. Have been re-wrapped a few times as it started to peel off a lot at the beginning. But now it’s starting to stick well as the skin is drying out more.  It was a bit uncomfortable at the beginning in this heat and humidity, but now I don’t really notice it that much. Just can’t get it wet in the shower.
Hope your treatment is going well. 
All the best, Susan xx

Calendula cream was very popular at my radiotherapy centre being available in the change rooms after each  treatment.Sorbolene was also available but barely used and towards end of treatment was discontinued being replaced by Cetaphil.I used Dermaveen at home as I was unaware of Moo Goo and it was fine.Dermaveen and Cetaphil are available at supermarkets.I used front opening post op  bras from Target which made creaming 3+ times per day easier but they did get grubby and were discarded after all creaming ended to be replaced with ah / sports bras which are so comfy.

We went to Cairns shortly after treatment ended and I noticed UV/ heat seemed to activate things even thru a T-shirt/ rashie so be careful with the sun.

I did have engulfing tiredness the week after treatment ended but only for a few days so took things easy and had nanna naps when I needed them

The worst thing about radiotherapy for me was trying to find a park tbh.

Hi Pookie, I got on pretty well with radio. Mepitel was not recommended for me - seems more so for people who had mastectomy. I had lumpectomy and started Moogoo prior to 4 weeks rad. Opted for 4 weeks higher dose rather than lower dose over 6 weeks. I asked about Mepitel but the oncologist offered StrataXRT for people who underwent lumpectomy. I used this twice a day as well as Moogoo and got on pretty well. I also saw an acupuncturist who organised some herbs that helped greatly with fatigue-and probably a lot more. I was 42 and reasonably fit when diagnosed. Not familiar with your situation. However, I did a lot of reading and realised the medical world doesn’t necessarily work together. When you consider how Chinese medicine fuses east and west treatment, yet western doesn’t seem to consider eastern methods it’s a bit of pot luck. As far as I can tell, no one medical professional had all the answers. Go with what you feel comfortable with and seems reasonable to you. Ask as many questions as you have, ever if you feel uncomfortable because they might be alternative or unusual. Only by doing so can you make an informed decision. Best wishes. Xx 

hi! just to add in that i also had mepitel for my 25 radiotherapy sessions and experienced no real problems with the skin it covered, and have very little radio tan (while the armpit where it was only applied for the last 15 days became quite sore and also peeled). it was re-applied at the beginning of each week, and i kept it on for a week after my final sesh. it was standard at my clinic. i used Moo Goo on the treated area after the mepitel was removed.

i also prepared my skin the 3 weeks prior to starting treatment by applying organic rosehip oil 3/4 x day. my radio onc recommended this oil. i used Trilogy (as it's 100% rosehip).

re. supplements: i too read differing guidance re. supplements so i ran my naturopath script passed my radio onc as i felt more comfortable going with what they recommended :smile:

i hope this helps! goo luck! lvlw xx

I am at 26/30 treatments of radiotherapy. Have not been able to wear a bra at all since week 2!  Moo Goo 4 times a day. Bepanthan cream twice a day, I mix the creams together... Then for a few days I also needed Lignocaine for the pain. The nurses have been brilliant and although I have had a “ decent” reaction they are impressed with my self care. That made me feel good! 
I have also had lethargy...big time. But nothing I have experienced is new. As you have read by now we all have different reactions etc.  I have struggled big time with the heat also. Anyway, I’m nearly there and wish you all the very best @Pookie

@Pookie I just wore a wire free bra and had no problems

@LlttleBlueWren that’s great news. Can I ask where you had your rads treatment in Brisbane?