Swimming during rads?

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Wrongchick
Wrongchick Member Posts: 36
edited March 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had two consults with potential ROs this week. The first one told me that swimming would be fine. The second one said no chlorine pools until 2 weeks after treatment is completed. I just about lost it, as hanging out with the kiddos in grandpa's pool this summer was going to help me get my groove back. Which doc is right?

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited April 2012

    I can't tell you which one is right....we have a pool and I love to swim. Been dealing with BC since the fall and can't wait till summer. My RO said no swimming during rads, and no sun exposure this entire summer! I asked about swimming. He said he would prefer if I swam at night. But, he knows I have three kids. He said I'd have to keep a t shirt on over my bathing suit, swim, then get back out of the sun. I am very fair skinned.... Blonde, blue eyed, burn easily.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited April 2012

    I imagine you could swim, but is it advisable?  I don't know.  During rads I would think the idea would be to keep the area clean (bacteria free,) moisturized, and protected from sun exposure, to keep the amount of skin breakdown to a minimum.

    In 2009, surgery and then rads made me miss some of those summer activities.  There's just no such thing as "good timing" when it comes to B/C.
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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited April 2012

    I was told I could swim --- if you have to .. put vasoline over your breast.  Also the "no sun" rule is the radiation spot -- well I don't sunbathe topless so I am ok.  I am going to aquafit and doing my rads now.  If you have a skin breakdown then obviously no but otherwise I was given the go ahead.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited April 2012

    I thinkit will depend on how well your skin holds up. Mine didn't hold up very well.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited April 2012

    I was told I could swim and did so all through my 38 rads.  They were only concerned that I wear  sun block.  I wore a swim shirt and sun block to ensure I didnt burn from the sun.

    I agree with coraleliz, If your skin holds up with no issues, I could not understand why you can't swim. To keep your skin good through rads, apply lotion immediatly after and before you go to bed. Of course, you cant apply cream 4 hours prior to radiation so I put mine on at night before bed; and brought a tube with me to lotion up after tx.

    Good luck. I hope you can swim and enjoy you dads pool.

    Bevin

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  • Csc-atlanta
    Csc-atlanta Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2017

    I swim laps twice a week at the Y, and was worried about swimming during radiation. I am happy to report that I was able to swim while undergoing radiation. I just made sure I was religious about hydrating my skin 3 times a day. Before swimming, I put extra aloe gel and calendula gel on, and reapplied after. I also was spraying my skin with green tea for the tannin benefits and lavender with hydrosol, which is helpful in treating burns. If your skin is holding up, you should be able to swim

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2017

    Dear Csc-atlanta,

    Welcome to the BCO community. We are so glad that you have reached out and are sharing your stories with our members. We appreciate your tips. This particular thread has been inactive since 2012. You may want to start a new topic in the Radiation Forum. We hope that you will stay connected here and keep us posted on your recovery. The Mods

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