February 2012 Rad Sisters

KiwiDiana

Hello Girls,

 I am 55 and have to go through this process again, had DCIS 5 years ago (No SNB required)    Have had the latest lumpecomy and SNB surgery 10 days ago for IDC 9mm Grade1 Stage 1 (get those anoying staples out today! Yay!) It's a new cancer they are treating me for.

However, I came through very well the first time and am positive I'll come through fine again this time.

My (hopefully useful to others) tips for getting through:

Use BEPANTHEN after every zap, but be SURE to wash everything off well BEFORE the zap. 
Bepanthen is a 'diaper rash' creme availabe in Europe and in NZ.  There must be something similar for you girls in the US.  If you can find the version which is NOT the ointment, then it will be easier to remove.  There must also be a medication which is for sunburnt skin? This would probably do the same job. Please search Wikipedia for "Panthenol"

 

Eat 1 TBSP tomato puree every day from now until the end and beyond. Tomatoes contain Lycopene, something which has proven to reduce the effect of sunburn in a laboratory test.  I saw this show on TV after my rad therapy, and then understood that that could have helped minimise the symptoms on the outside. Perhaps on the inside too? Go to google and enter "lycopene sunburn"

5years ago I was eating tomatoes a lot in my normal diet, and rubbed the diaper rash creme on immeditaly after every zap . 3 days from the end, my pink skin with black spots started to turn brown.  I had no pain, peeling or blisters, the itching, if any, wasn't enough to stay in my memory.

My 'olive' skin tans easily, and that also might have had something to do with my good results.

I'd be really interested to hear how you all get on!

Good luck and {{{Gentle Hugs!}}}