Floating the river 10 days into radiation

hockey7chick

I will be starting radiation about mid month (july) and my friends and I usually float the river end of July. I understand swimming pools with the chlorine. But what about a river in a tube so I am not totally in the river?

I am going to ask the RO but those who have been through it what do you think?

Hopeful82014

I was advised to avoid exposure to the sun as much as possible prior to, during and for at least a year following radiation. If your RO advises likewise the issue may be sun exposure as well as being in the river. Follow your RO's advice of course but, from my experience, I wouldn't count on doing the float this year. Sorry

ChiSandy

Considering that rivers often have pathogens like giardia (and it doesn’t take total immersion for exposure), and that radiation can compromise the immune system to some degree, I’d skip the floating this time. (Maybe bike along the banks, or stay in a boat)? I was told sun exposure was fine as long as it wasn’t to the radiated area, and that I conscientiously wore sunscreen and covered up where possible. (But then again, I don’t go outdoors in swimwear—heck, I even wear T-shirts at the gym; and I only got partial-breast rads).

gb2115

I would not do this for the reasons mentioned above. The sunlight is an issue and yeah I wouldn't go in fresh water with compromised skin. Ask your RO though. If you cover up and somehow not get river water on the radiation field...