Well, today was the first day of my radiation on my chestwall. I have had radiation treatment before - in December - on my hip and upper back so it was nothing too surprising.
I'm hoping that it won't burn my skin too badly and that I won't get too fatigued. I guess I'll have to wait and see!
Happy for any suggestions on those that have been there before me....
Hi Amy,
I went ok with radiation.Just got sore and red along the way.I kept a tube of aloe vera gel in my handbag . As soon as I had treatment I would go into the toilet and apply it to my chest then put a soft hankie over it so as not to stain my clothes.I would have a warm salt bath most nights and then apply vit e or sorbolene cream.I would put a loose stretchie singlet on after.Towards midway my dr.gave me some hydrocortisone cream cos it was quite sore and that helped.It was just like bad sunburn really and I got abit tired BUT NOTHING like chemo.Hope all goes smoothly for you.
Tonya xx
Hi Amy -- I don't think I"ve had a chance to say welcome to the site yet, so ... 'welcome'! :)
Have you found the search function yet? I usually forget about it on websites, but I've found that the one on this site works quite well for topic-related searches, and I remember quite a few people have posted about their experiences with radiation. To find any of the past posts, just type 'radiation' or 'radiation+skin' into the search bar and when the results come back it will tell you on the right side whether each one is a blog post, page, etc.
Good luck -- hope you find something that works for you! :)
Hi Amy
Yes you were right I have read you reply thanks and all done. Can you believe it last night for the first time I forgot to put my tube of cream in my bag!! Must have relaxed the mind too much!! had champagne and a lovely dinner after. Feel elated just a great feeling! Am sitting her in my oversized singlet as I type. Can use deoderant under that arm again now yipee it's so hot here and although I didn't smell was always concious of not wearing deoderant under that arm.
Good luck with everything
Sarah x
Hi Sarah
I hope that as I am writing this you will have completed your last radiation session. Well done! Thanks for your advice. I will definitely moisturise, moisturise, moisturise although not sure I will get away with the topless bit!! have Mum and Dad staying with me at the moment to help with the kids ;)
I have been moisturising since my surgery too so hope this will help!
Thanks again!
Amy
well Sarah said it all. i only used sorbolene (told be radiologist), i showered with it and then kept putting it on, i didnt have any problems, just a bit of redness, but like we say everyone is different, i was tired but found if i lay down for 20mins or so i was ready to go again, this is when we need to listen to our bodies, and not push the barrier when tiredness sets in, even when radio was finished, it took me a couple of months to get back to semi normal as far as energy was concerned. good luck, and please let us know how you are doing,. Moira
Hi Amy
As you can see I am the exact opposite to you this evening at 7.25pm I have my last radiation. It has been fine and I have been so lucky that my skin has stood up to all the treatment with no problems. I have slapped on the 100% Sorbolene cream and put it on directly after treatment in the bathroom. My routine with the cream has been put it on first thing then be basically topless or in a loose singlet until about 11am (depends on what I am doing), have a shower with baby soap put on more cream., might do it again if it's all soaked in. Take the dog for a walk at 4pm, have a swim in a saltwater pool then have another shower with baby soap and make sure all the cream is off. Then head off to Brissy for treatment. Take us about 40 mins to get there and the treatment about 5 mins! I always put more cream on at bedtime too. One reason my skin is so good maybe the moisturising I did after my mastectomy, my physio drilled it into me and am so glad she did. Also I spend a lot of time topless or in a loose top (obviously I am not working) and so have nothing rubbing against the skin all day. I take off my top as soon as I can and am wearing very comfortable bras the ones I wore just after my mastectomy. Every body's skin is different so am not sure if I am lucky or have just been a bit pedantic. One of the radiation ladies told me not to put the cream on too thick as it can cause skin problems, thinner and more often which I have done.
Am a bit tired but am trying to rest when I can.It's a lot easier than chemo. Good luck and love that cream!!!
Sarah
