Forum Discussion
Radiation Treatment
Hi Ladies, I have just completed my first four treatments of radiation and it's home for the weekend. I was an absolute mess on the first day. I think you ladies refer to it as a meltdown! Lack of sleep, uncertainty and the fact the radiation therapist called me in, got me in a gown told me where to sit, in between 3 blokes obviously waiting for their prostrate treatment (guessing due to the theatre scrub pants they were wearing) and them promptly told me I would have to wait cause she had called me out of turn. Well the tears ran and I struggled not to make a noise. I felt so vulnerable I came close to changing and walking back out! 1/2 hour later she took me in. I was a mess. Thank goodness the other woman helping to do the marking and measuring was so lovely. It only takes 15 mins in that room all up but it was the longest 15 mins of my life. I climbed off that table, nearly ran to the change room, had a bit of a cry, changed and walked out past where my husband was waiting and went out to the car and burst into tears. Now looking back after four days of treatment I feel so silly the way I felt. If only that stupid person who had called me in had been a bit more careful and sympathetic It would have been so much easier. I haven't had that one again yet, and the other male and female therapist have been lovely. Guess three out of four ain't bad!
24 hours after the first treatment I already had a patch of redness the size of the palm of my hand. Bummer! Didn't think it happened so quickly! Had been putting on Moo goo udder cream before treatment started so was a little disappointed. Saw the nurse after second treatment and she recommended I change to Calendula of which there are too brands. One that smells like yeast and the other like apricots. Needless to say I went for apricots and I think it may have reduced the redness a little. She was good and showed me a picture of where I was being radiated, it's amazing the areas it covers! So the the scar area from surgery is warm and red but not too uncomfortable along with under my arm that I will have to watch in the warm weather. Does anyone have a good suggestions for keeping the area under your arm dry and friction free other than not getting too hot as they suggested?
Saw the radiation oncologist yesterday after treatment. I have had a large swelling that I could cup my hand over for some time and that is where the burn is mostly and it's was quite tender to put cream on. She checked and drained 35mls of fluid out of it and that feels more comfortable today. She also prescribed some mild sleeping tablets to take alternate nights or as needed of which I took last night and I feel like a new girl today! She also said you can use whatever cream you want it shouldn't make a difference. So will alternate with the Moo goo and Calendula as the Moo goo seems more moisturising.
All in all, the week has ended not too badly, only five and a bit to go!
My thoughts go out to all those women that are heading in for their first treatment. Hope it is a positive one for you as I'm sure there are lots of great understanding radiation therapists out there that can make that first time so much easier for the not so brave. Regards to all, Maria
18 Replies
Hi Maryrose, I had a red patch on my breast and nurse said better to use Calendula. I did for a day or two then went back to moo goo and all good now. So not sure if it did help or it was just the immediate reaction from the radio. Moo goo seems much more moisturising. I also bought the moo goo deodorant cause in this hot weather I hated the smell of body odour especially when you laying there with your arms above your head!
Hi Maria, I used the Crystal deodorant and while it wasn't great I found it better than using nothing at all. The rad team told me not to worry about the smell as they're used to it. Here's a tip though - if you can try and get your appointment in the early morning, that way you can shower at home go to the clinic, get the rads done and then apply all the creams and deodorant ready for the rest of the day. I also reapplied my cream in the middle of the day. I used the QV wash and found it great. I hope this week is going better for you - remember you have the weekend off!
Howdy. I discovered moo goo after i burnt badly during rads. Now i use moo goo deodorant, face moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner and even their makeup. Can highly recommend this range everything is so gentle.
Maryrose
I found aloe vera very cooling and soothing. My sister bought me a plant before i started radiation. Hugs Anne
Hi Arturo,
Hopefully your heath has improved a little over the weekend and you can cope better with the radio treatment.
Think I was suffering from lack of sleep which didn't help me. Am hoping to get on better this week as I have 26 more to go. Regards Maria
Hi.
Arturo hear ots been a rough start.
I'm feeling similar after my first 3 sessions this past week. I get claustrophobic, was suffering severe reflux and asthma, plus temp when I went.
Needless to say it's been a struggle. Hoping I'm stronger this week and cope better.
17 treatments to go ??
Thank you for sharing. This is really useful information for all of us who are yet to go through it.
you can read all you like about the treatment, but the human side of these processes are not always mentioned.
i have come across some meditation cd's to help me with preparation before treatment to reduce my anxiety. So far so good with chemotherapy. It makes the situation positive rather than negative. Talks about the 'healing chair' and receiving the 'elixir of cure'.
i will try it before radiotherapy too to see if it helps.
All the best with your treatment and thanks again for sharing.
kym
Hi Maria, I wrote a reasonably long post about being at the same point, 4 down, many more to go and the shared experience etc, but the post vanished into cyberspace so here's the condensed version.... Good luck ????
Hi Maria,
Sorry to hear about your horrible time at rads this week. We are so emotionally fragile at this time. And, yes, what becomes a very routine job for some people who need to be reminded that they're working with patients who are dealing with a multitude of emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis.
I'm currently having radiation as well, just had #11 yesterday. (Not even half way!) I've been plastering on the moogoo cream to my whole chest wall (post mastectomy) up to my collarbone. I still feel really self conscious every time I need to strip to my waist but I must admit the team where I go have been very considerate and professional.
Great to hear the various creams are working for you. I've found moogoo have a range of cleansing wash (milk wash) and deodorant.
Take one day at a time. Hang in there.
Karen xx
Hi Maria Have not started Radiation yet but check out this web sight there is a lot of deodorants out there aluminum free but you will probably have to buy them at a pharmacy or health food shop. http://www.aluminumfreedeodorants.com/aluminum-free-deodorant-brands/ A great soap free body wash is sorbolene you can get it at any shop it does not dry your skin and cleans very well. Hope this helps. Heather
