hi all hope everyone is well, just a quick question can anyone tell me , about radation l hear you get tired, may get swelling??? anything else or any tips that could help , l start on monday in melbourne so life will be very different for awhile without hubby and kids.
regards robsue
Hi, I have this ahead of me & it's just so interesting reading what you lovely ladies have shared. So it is possible to drive yourself after the treatment? I thought the seat belt would be a problem. If I can drive that will make it so much easier. It's going to rough being away from your family, but hopefully the time will pass quickly. Good luck with the radiation treatment & look after yourself. Wendy
I have just finished my 5th session - only 20 to go. The only thing I will add to the others comments is that each day I come straight "home" (I'm 8 hours from my home and husband) and put cold packs on the area, then moisturise the area completly. I moisturise two more times a day as well. Lots of info says not to have extremes of cold or hot on the treated area but I was given this advice before I had radiation 4 years ago and my skin was fine - only tanned. I put face washers in the freezer before I head off for treatment and when I come home use these on the area. Presently I am having radiation on my neck, underarm, shoulder and back of shoulder. Tonight my neck is very red and sore so I need to take very good care of this. Be kind to yourself and get as much rest as you can right from the start as the treatment effects can creep up on you. I am in Brisbane and have to travel in for treatment each day but once there it is relaxing (need to be early though). The actual treatment takes no time. Have you been doing your arm exercises as you will have to hold your arms up for a while - especially the first day (all the measurements are done). You will be fine just be kind to yourself.XLeonie
thank you amy hope you are well , l to keep feeling sick , l am very nervous bout going as this is the first time way from my family but the sooner l start the better cause it will be finished , thank you robsue
Hi
I'm currently having radiation treatment. I had my 7th one out of 25 today. Skin OK so far (although early days). Have felt tired the last couple of days but not sure if that is the radiation or my 2 small children wearing me out!
I have had nausea the last couple of days but don't think this is related to the radiation (?)
Good luck!
Amy
sorry - must have chemo brain again. just re-read this post and it should say .............. glad wrap!!!!
Di :)
Hi There
I finished my radiation last Friday and have had one week without it and my skin is still ok. I did take great care of my skin having heard from friends how they had problems. Used Johnsons baby soap to wash with and put on the Sorbolene 100% cream religiously. I have spent a lot of time without a bra and often topless when I can or in an oversized singlet. I have carried on with the cream and soap and will do so for a few more weeks. I have a little bit of swelling but nothing terrible have recommenced arm exercises the stretching ones to help and one of the doctors showed me how to massage the area. You'll be fine like the others said just rest when you need to. I found the travelling tiring I drove in and my husband drove back we went in the evening when the traffic and parking was better ( Brisbane!) found lots of nice restaurants on our travels and had some yummy dinners.
Good luck and let us know how it all goes.
Sarah
Great suggestion Moira.
If this is of interest visit the Stay in Touch on the page of the NBOCC website for more information.
Hi Robsue,
Hope all goes well with your treatment. It's a shame you will be away from hubby and the kids, but the time will pass quickly.
I chose to travel daily to get my radiation, and most of the time I drove myself (naughty I know), but it puts such a big drain on everyone I wanted to try and relieve some of the travelling agony on my partner. It was a 2 hour return trip everyday and the treatment itself took 10 mins maximum. I had a lot of burning, originally supposed to have 30 sessions, but was cut back to 25 'cause my skin just couldnt take anymore.
Dont be alarmed though, it really didnt hurt as the area was numb from surgery anyway. The nurses check you every week, or more if necessary and tell you how to look after your skin. The burns get worse, even when radiation is finished, as radiation effects continue after treatment for approx 10 days. If it gets really bad, they give you a cream with lignocaine mixed in, which helps. I had to apply this several times a day and wrap the area in glad glad (not a good look - haha).
Like everything on this journey, we do get through it. You will be extremely tired - so listen to your body - have lots of nanna naps, do everything they tell you regarding your skin maintenance and you should be ok. I actually got blood poisoning from my radiation burns, but I pulled through this OK. Like I said, we take what they throw at us and we bounce right back. Good luck
Di :)
Hi Robsue,
Hope all goes well with your treatment. It's a shame you will be away from hubby and the kids, but the time will pass quickly.
I chose to travel daily to get my radiation, and most of the time I drove myself (naughty I know), but it puts such a big drain on everyone I wanted to try and relieve some of the travelling agony on my partner. It was a 2 hour return trip everyday and the treatment itself took 10 mins maximum. I had a lot of burning, originally supposed to have 30 sessions, but was cut back to 25 'cause my skin just couldnt take anymore.
Dont be alarmed though, it really didnt hurt as the area was numb from surgery anyway. The nurses check you every week, or more if necessary and tell you how to look after your skin. The burns get worse, even when radiation is finished, as radiation effects continue after treatment for approx 10 days. If it gets really bad, they give you a cream with lignocaine mixed in, which helps. I had to apply this several times a day and wrap the area in glad glad (not a good look - haha).
Like everything on this journey, we do get through it. You will be extremely tired - so listen to your body - have lots of nanna naps, do everything they tell you regarding your skin maintenance and you should be ok. I actually got blood poisoning from my radiation burns, but I pulled through this OK. Like I said, we take what they throw at us and we bounce right back. Good luck
Di :)
hi there, radiotherapy i felt was much easier than chemo, i was advised by the radiologists to use sorbolene, i showered with this, then after radio slapped some more on, i had radio for 6 weeks (mon-fri), and was fine about week 3 I started getting tired, but soon learn to lie down and normally i found 20mins or so i was fine again, but it is very tiring so listen to your body which i am sure you have had to learn to do through this journey already. As for burning i didn't have much a bit red, but all was good, i was also away from family (my husband was there part of the time), but i found staying in the cancer council hotel (adelaide) was a help, as there are others going through the same thing, and found the staff and everyone else friendly. good luck and let us know how you are going. There is a scheme "stay in touch through nbocc", which allows you and your family to stay in touch while you are away with laptops and skype,which i believe they provide. have a look on the nbocc website for information. Good luck and Take Care Moira
