radiation!

@SIro I think the plastic shield is different. They make it from the form of your actual chest, and you wear it when you’re irradiated. From what I understood (and was quite confusing) it acts as extra tissue for radiation to be more effective. 

Hi FL Clover, Thanks I don’t think I described it very well but mine will be the cling wrap one Mepitel which is replaced often. So no wonder women shield for me. 😄 Has been good to to read the tips from others on getting it patched & replaced regularly. 

I’ve also read recommendations by others here of a cream called strataXRT for radiation skin. 

@SIro Yes, that’s the one. I’m glad you’ve decided to use it 😊. I used it and it was great. 

@mg2 I had a lumpectomy in December 2017 & started radiation treatment in Feb/March the following year. The main reason it was that late is that I had to have genetic testing done beforehand & my rad onc wanted the results before he started the rad treatment as if I came back positive, it may have effected my treatment plan & whether I was to go ahead with it or not. Luckily, I was negative so the treatment went ahead as planned. 
As mentioned above by others, I used Mepitel film through the course of my treatment & cant speak highly enough of it. I had NO redness, irritation, peeling or burning & would recommend it to anyone who is able to have it. One of the many benefits is when you use it, you dont have to use ANY creams with it as the mepitel film covers your entire radiation area. Once i removed the film, 3 weeks after treatment, I used calendula cream just to soothe it as it had been wrapped up for 5 weeks, not because I was burnt. Good luck with your treatment xx

The wonder woman shield is called a boulis.  I asked the technician today.  He said it's used as an extra protection for your skin during radiation.    I'm starting to feel itchy with the metapil but I'm trying not to think about it as I know it will be worth it in the long run.

@Locksley I also thought it was for extra protection and asked them if that was it, but they said that it actually serves as extra tissue and aids the effectiveness. I had to ask a few times as I couldn’t quite grasp what they were saying, so I’m not sure what I actually understood 🤷🏼‍♀️. I kept it as a souvenir. 

Definitely ask about the Mepitel (it does come under different brand names but they'll know what you're talking about).  Some places offer it, some don't, some have it but only use it when asked.  There's also different ideas about how it will be used.  For my treatment, it was put on beforehand on the Monday, patched during the week if necessary, and I took it off when I got home on Friday.  During the weekend I was free to shower and use moisturiser (my go to was Moo Goo).  My skin held up beautifully - about 3 weeks after treatment ended, I go a small tender patch on my side.  I believe the StrataXRT cream is excellent but I think you have to supply it yourself at most places and it is quite expensive.

Dear mg2,
I had mastectomy, chemo and then Radiotherapy (5weeks) and now Letrazole for 5-10yrs.
You are going from surgery to Radiotherapy. I'm sure that they would want you healed well first.
I strongly recommend Mepitel. You could not tell that I had radiotherapy, no marks, burns or reaction.
It took a bit to get used to wearing it as it feels like a plastic.  It looks like Opsite or Tegaderm, if you had seen them.
If your place for radiotherapy offers it, I recommend that you do.
It is worn 24/7. I was told that the 'burning' does not only happen during the 5-10 mins that R/T is given.
The explanation was that the Mepitel keeps the skins own moisture in, and protects the skin from the friction of clothing and bedding. The nurses replaced it as needed, when it sometimes lifted and rolled back.
Some of my Mepitel lasted 2 1/2 weeks on. The area under arm seemed to need replacing more often.

thanks for that information, have not heard of any of the products you mention  , i note that you are both from south australia i am from Melbouurne and have not heard any mention of this , any Victorians on here that have heard or been advised about this product