Radiotherapy details

Hi @Bravo  I don't know if the vitamin E cream they prescribed changes the radiation but they said carry the tube in my purse to use straight after the radiation and have the tub at home for use four or so times a day.  No oils, soaps, deodorants Etc.  So presume it's the one they e found to be best for skin after radiation and maybe before as I will be using it before treatment after shower.  Like everything else with this BC journey we are led along like horses knowing little of what is ahead of us & without the time (or thought) to ask WHY?  

I thought you were referring to the news story on the evening news a week or so ago.
I would also like to try that bra which keeps the breast in place during radiotherapy, rather than having my old boob flopping sideways like a melting ice cream. 

Hi ladies. I just read your post Sandram and i just wanted to say that i began my radiation therapy last week. My cancer was in my left breast and i am having Deep Inspiration Breath Hold. My  oncologist showed me the CT scan yesterday so I could see how the radiation works. It was fascinating. I could see how my heart moved out of the way when my breath was held. I dont even have any residual radiation on my heart. So....the next three weeks of Rad wont be as scarey :smiley:

sandramj said:

Hi Bravo,  This was the exact thing I was very concerned about.  YES there is a new method now called Breast Radiotherpay with Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) where we the patient hold our breath when told and hold it tell told to let go (20 seconds) and this means our lungs and hear are stretched longwise and also pulled away from the breast wall. here's a Wikipedia explanation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_inspiration_breath-hold. My oncologist confirmed my research that they do use it particularly with women with left breast cancer.  Its wonderful all the new research they are doing and have done bringing things like DIBH to us to lessen the damage to our organs.  Best of luck. I start radiation on 26/5.  for 30 sessions.   

Not that i would know what an operating theatre looks like. I had my eyes shut at the time.

It is still in its infancy as a technique, Lmc1310. My surgeon said it would be only for particular patients and would deliver radiotherapy during the surgery. No operating theatres in Australia are set up for this, and it would be a huge cost to create or adapt theatres to accomodate the technology and all the technicians, as well as all that is usually found in an operating theatre.

What is the new radiation treatment please @adean

Does the vitamin e cream affect the way the rays can enter your body?

Sounds like a plan and just fill your day with something you enjoy. I love reading in my caravan.. ..And going out for coffee.

My oncologist radiotherapy lady gave me a list of items to purchase before radiation and included Fauldings "Essentials" Vitamin E Cream. $3.99 a 75g tube to carry in my handbag for use straight after each radiation session and a 300g jar ($10;49) for home as I will be using it four times a day ++. apparently.  Ive had the measure up and tattoo and have the test session tomorrow and will be using the deep breath technique due to LEFT LUNG AND HEART ISSUES and start on 30 sessions from Monday 29th May.  Im feeling very grateful I did not have to have chemotherapy and therefore happy to only need the radiation - I am not expecting any hassles - but if I get them I'll deal with them then.  Have a friend who had almost identical BC fifteen years ago and she had radiation at 7:30pm so wandered along after dinner had it and came home slipped into jamas and read or watched tv and had a good nights sleep giving her body the best chance to rest and heal after the treatment.  She's been clear ever since.  My oncology radiation dept close at 5:00pm but we are taking our caravan to the Broadwater Caravan Park for the first week to sit in the sun, walk, rest, lay about or do whatever or nothing and not have to look at housework garden jobs etc - forcing me to rest .  Can't say Im excited to do this but want to get on with killing these cancer cells FOR GOOD if possible.  :) :)