Radiation starts tomorrow

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

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

Thanks for that information Chris I will do the same

x Karen

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

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

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

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