what does the stylish rad patient wear under her shirt?

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3monstmama
3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was unclear.  I don't mean during the actually zapping, I meant more during the afterwards during those times when running wild in the all-together would be deemed in appropriate.  Like say, at work or a religous service. . . .In other words, Whats the most comfy way to deal with being dressed? 

So I'm thinking that a bra is NOT going to be the way to go during rads next month, especially not the sports bras I've been married to since my lumpectomy.

I have read here that cotton is a good thing as in older cotton t-shirts and the like.  I have also read that going topless is good but thats not the best option for work.  Tongue out

I did some looking on line and found an all silk camisole at land's end and some cotton spandex mix camis at j jill.  Any thoughts?  My husband thinks that silk is better because its softer, the nurse at the radiation oncologist suggested putting a cotton handkerchef between me and my skin and I got the idea that a cami would keep my side from rubbing my arm or the hem of my shirt.

I'm not the largest of people, I'm okay with going braless but I suspect ---from stretching my brain back to the sunburn days of my youth-- that something soft between the bad boobie and the outer shirt might be good.

Thank you!

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  • lassie11
    lassie11 Member Posts: 1,500
    edited February 2010

    I always took off whatever stylish or unstylish thing I was wearing to put on the lovely hospital gown as requested.

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  • concernedsis
    concernedsis Member Posts: 256
    edited February 2010

    Sis had a large area irradiated after mastectomy (neck, chest, axilla) and wore soft white cotten mens Tshirt. You are likely going to be using Aquaphor or something similar which is greasy.She started her moisturizing routine pre rads.

    She did fine until about 24 of 28 rads then was blister city for several weeks (even after rads) but everyone is different.

    Made it through and so will you!

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2010

    I pulled an old silk undershirt out of my drawer which felt nice.  Then I bought a silk camisole from Winter Silks.  I wore those under my clothes starting at the end of week 4 until about 2 weeks after the end of rads.  Cotton feels OK, but silk feels great!

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited February 2010

    I pulled an old silk undershirt out of my drawer which felt nice.  Then I bought a silk camisole from Winter Silks.  I wore those under my clothes starting at the end of week 4 until about 2 weeks after the end of rads.  Cotton feels OK, but silk feels great!

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited March 2010

    I start rads next month too and will need to look for some bras with no underwires I guess. Being large breasted, I hope I can find something. The radiation oncologist told me some women find cheaper bras from Target or Kmart are good. I certainly can't go braless.

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  • adrienne2
    adrienne2 Member Posts: 183
    edited March 2010

    I didn't wear a bra at all during rads: I'm a redhead with delicate skin, and I wanted to be as gentle as possible. Sometimes I wore a soft camisole that offered a little support, and other times I wore just a cotton tee-shirt, with a blouse over it. I picked up some Hanes ComfortSoft men's tees (6 for $10 at Target), and they were *much* softer than my other tees. 

    When I was at home, I went topless, and I kept the ceiling fan on most of the time. There was a lot of heat in my breast, and I wanted it to escape.

    Doing these things, and using calendula oil, I had no peeling at all. Not bad for a redhead :)

    By the way, on the few days the techs marked me with sharpies, I put a cotton handkerchief between me and my shirt, so the ink wouldn't stain the shirts. 

    Good luck to you during rads.  

    adrienne 

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  • LynnVA
    LynnVA Member Posts: 174
    edited March 2010

    I wore soft cotton tanks also from Target under everything after my mast, expansion, and during rads.  I have them in every color.  Mosimo brand I think. They are soft and stretch so I could just pull my arms out and not have to take it off during rads and doc appts.  Just now I'm trying to wear a bra some to get use to it again.  I am and always have been small chested so this worked well for me and was as comfortable as you can get going through that whole mess.  Good Luck to you :)

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  • Cgirl
    Cgirl Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2010
    I could not go with out a bra, and went to work in an office everyday. I bought all cotton camis /bras from WEAR EASY, they are on- line and specialize in post surgical bras and Cami's for women. They are super helpful women who totally understood what i was looking for.  later in treatment when i had a problem I got real  raw under the beast, I was given Rad-gel sheets which are self sticking and went under my bra right next to the skin. The bra held the sheets in place.
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  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited March 2010

    I went braless but otherwise wore my normal clothes.  I wouldn't personally be comfortable with anything with spandex because it tends to cling/rub too much -- mostly I wore turtlenecks that were cotton and model, nothing snug.  Silk would be great, too.  Watch out for seams that might hit a sore spot. 

    I put aloe vera gel (98%) on my breast every night, then followed it with a slathering of Aquaphor or shea butter.  I got red-skinned but never had any blistering or peeling.  I had 38 treatments. I don't know if my moisturizing campaign helped or if I wouldn't have blistered anyway, but it certainly didn't hurt!

    Radiation is different for everyone but most get through it pretty well.  Best of luck to you!

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  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited March 2010

    I just splurged on two silk camisoles from Winter Silks - can't wait for them to come in the mail!  Rads hasn't started for me yet, but I'm trying to be prepared.  I've never had pure silk clothing...looking forward to pampering myself through what may be a difficult 6 weeks!

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited March 2010

    I got 2 wireless bras for $13 each at our BigW store - like your Walmart. What a bargain. I was pleased they actually had my size and they don't look too bad. We'll see how they go when it all happens. Also got some unscented soap and some deodorant that has nothing nasty in it - so I'm all set. Also have sorbolene cream and aloe vera gel to put in the fridge. A friend said she froze two face washers in freezer bags and took them with her and put them on after the zapping. She left them in the freezer bags though - said it was great!!

    Seems like ages before I start (6th April). Last chemo today!!!!

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  • InMontreal
    InMontreal Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2010

    Bought tighter-than-normal  cotton t-shirts with lycra in them (on sale for under $10).  Wear one or two at a time depending on the amount of support needed.  The silk sounds comfortable.

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