Radiation

Hey, I started Rads a year ago today! It will be over before you know it, I didn't find it too difficult at all (no pole for me though...)

My only advice would be to try and get an early appointment time. That means less waiting (they get backlogged pretty fast) and you are less likely to have your machine break down. (that happens a lot too!)

For me, the Cancer Centre was a very friendly place, I bought my kids alot (they would have breakfast while I was being Zapped) I felt that they were less scared than if I had just disappeared off somewhere strange every day.

As for taking care of your zapped areas, I used loads and loads of cream (I used Glaxal base), 4 or 5 times a day and thick. I put it on every time I thought of it.  I went a bit red, but did not have a bad reaction. How much of that was due to the cream, and how much just lucking out, I do not know. I also didn't use soap on the radiated area at all.

Good luck! You are in the home stretch now!!

Hi There! Congrats on getting to the Rad part of your tx. It was the easiest for me& hopefully for you too.

You may feel abit more tired as the txs go, and it takes about 2 weeks to fully restore your energy, but it's not that bad.

Also, the very best advice I rec'd  was do not use any soap on the radiaited area & during tx  do not  use ointments , only creams.  Once finished you can load up onoitments, which help healing.

Billynda - I will be thinking of you as I drag myself out of bed at 4:45am to get to a 6am rad appointment!!

I just had my 6th today. So far, so good. I am using emu oil and aloe. No issues yet. Its so great to hear you guys had very little issues.

Its funny...I got away for a little bit. I finished chemo, had more surgery so I got about 8 weeks off treatment. I felt it all slipping away a little. Rads makes me feel like a cancer patient again this week. Some times I am good...eat the right things, exercise, meditate. But sometimes I am bad, work too much, don't stop going 100 miles a minute, and drink too many beers on the weekend!!

I need to find that happy place in the middle.

And PURE...AGAIN!!...I Love your honesty. We all think much of the same things...only YOU have the guts to post it. No apologies.   

Hi there,

I just finished rads about a week and a half ago.  They set me up with a form fitted mold to lie in so my arm just rested on that.  You might ask about that if yours hurts.  My skin did really well until about a week before it ended, then the underarm area where they were zapping the node area got really red and raw.  They said to ONLY use their creams---Silvadine (sp?) which is actually made for 2nd to 3rd degree burns and the Aquaphor.  They have helped tremendously, and even thought the under arm area is now peeling like a bad sunburn, the pain is gone. 

Overall rads were a breeze compared to chemo.

Good luck!
Sharon

Use the type of creams that are recommended by the Rad Onc.  I didn't and was very red and crispy by the end.  It has been a year and 4 weeks and I am still red.  Bit tired at the end and just wanting not to have to go someplace each morning! 

gee whiz-Thank you:)) I try...

What is a boolster? I keep hearing about boolsters:)

Rads went so fast compared to chemo, even with the daily visits.  My techs were so supportive and nice.  I thought of it as my daily affirmation, (remember Stuart Smalley from SNL?)  because one guy was fond saying "beautiful" and "perfect" and all I had to do was lie down in the correct position.

My skin started "breaking down" a week or so before the last treatment.  It was itchy and wearing a lap belt was uncomfortable.  I got pulled over by the cops for tucking in under my arm and the guy said I could have asked for a doctor's exemption.  My underarm was the worst spot but luckily I have so much nerve damage I didn't feel a thing! 

Aquaphor was suggested to me as well.

Has anyone been told to limit sun exposure for life due to rads?  A friend in England was given this advice.  I'm not using any sunscreen to help me absorb vit. D.

Clariceak- I was told by my Rad Onc to cover up the radiated areas from sun for at least a year.