Radiation Therapy and work
Hi, I have recovered well from a unilateral mastectomy for phyllodes tumour. My team have recommended radiation therapy, still waiting to find out if it will be for 3-6 weeks. I am a primary school ...
Forum Discussion
@jamavon - the use of mepitel depends on where the area is to be treated by rads. My own treatment was near the nipple & altho I never considered myself to be 'big busted' .... I ended up having my treatment 'face down' on the bench - so didn't 'qualify' for mepitel! If your treatment is on your back - you could well qualify for Metipel - just ask them about it on your first treatment. You will find out what position you will be in, when they set you up for your treatment, prior to your first session. I had 4 weeks of treatment, Mon-Fir.
I didn't really have that much fatigue - maybe a tad tired - but I was still able to go away for a week's holiday after my treatment (my 'pat on the head' for getting thru it!) without any hassles at all.
Many people 'think' that Rads will be worse than it actually is. To be honest, I found it to be the easiest of all my treatments. Some will have burns that need extra attention and some burns may be horrible - so it is essential to make sure you let them know if you are concerned about any of your skin being blistered or burned as soon as you notice it - and keep the lotions up to it 2 or 3 times a day, after the treatment has been given. Within days of starting your treatment, you will notice that your breast area will start to be 'warm' 24/7 - this is when it is necessary to be even more attentive to the use of lotions & potions!
I found that the staff were incredibly attentive & kind & always remembered who I was throughout my treatment - and were apologetic if the treatment took longer than planned (ie having to wait for treatment.) Matter of fact - I was back for a checkup with the Rad Onc in Dec - and I dropped in on the Rads Unit (to keep an eye on my hubby whilst I was in with the Rad Onc) and the guy on the desk remembered me easily, over 12 months later!!
They also fitted my treatments in to suit my daily routine - including changing one from the morning to the last on the list when my husband fell & broke a rib & I was called out of the treatment area to help attend to his injury. They called late in the day, saying, if I could get there in 10 mins, I could still have the treatment & not miss one day. I was already on the hospital campus (as I was staying at the Rotary Lodge there & my husband had been seen thru Emergency too) so I was able to get that treatment.
Just remember that after your treatment has finished - it is vital to continue with the lotions & potions (I was also recommended to use a 'greasier' ointment called 'BOZ') as the warmth will continue for some weeks, even a month or more. It will be very important not to expose any of the area to sunlight too, as this could exacerbate any burns - even more important this time of year - & the need to wear sun proof gear.
Take care, don't overthink it - in hindsight, I hope that you'll find that it wasn't as bad as you 'thought' it would be.
All the best xx
I didn't really have that much fatigue - maybe a tad tired - but I was still able to go away for a week's holiday after my treatment (my 'pat on the head' for getting thru it!) without any hassles at all.
Many people 'think' that Rads will be worse than it actually is. To be honest, I found it to be the easiest of all my treatments. Some will have burns that need extra attention and some burns may be horrible - so it is essential to make sure you let them know if you are concerned about any of your skin being blistered or burned as soon as you notice it - and keep the lotions up to it 2 or 3 times a day, after the treatment has been given. Within days of starting your treatment, you will notice that your breast area will start to be 'warm' 24/7 - this is when it is necessary to be even more attentive to the use of lotions & potions!
I found that the staff were incredibly attentive & kind & always remembered who I was throughout my treatment - and were apologetic if the treatment took longer than planned (ie having to wait for treatment.) Matter of fact - I was back for a checkup with the Rad Onc in Dec - and I dropped in on the Rads Unit (to keep an eye on my hubby whilst I was in with the Rad Onc) and the guy on the desk remembered me easily, over 12 months later!!
They also fitted my treatments in to suit my daily routine - including changing one from the morning to the last on the list when my husband fell & broke a rib & I was called out of the treatment area to help attend to his injury. They called late in the day, saying, if I could get there in 10 mins, I could still have the treatment & not miss one day. I was already on the hospital campus (as I was staying at the Rotary Lodge there & my husband had been seen thru Emergency too) so I was able to get that treatment.
Just remember that after your treatment has finished - it is vital to continue with the lotions & potions (I was also recommended to use a 'greasier' ointment called 'BOZ') as the warmth will continue for some weeks, even a month or more. It will be very important not to expose any of the area to sunlight too, as this could exacerbate any burns - even more important this time of year - & the need to wear sun proof gear.
Take care, don't overthink it - in hindsight, I hope that you'll find that it wasn't as bad as you 'thought' it would be.
All the best xx