i start rads soon any good tips

Hi ladies just finishing chemo on 14th oct last one thank god …and i have had appointment for rads…i have got a hour drive to the hospital and was woundering weather i can drive myself or should i get some one with me ???

And the cream you put on ,do you start before rads or at the time ???

Many Thanks sal x

I am 14 out of 25 whole breast rads then due to have 8 boosters. I am currenlty OK to drive to and from the hospital - took OH the first time to remember any info I was told. I started using the E45 cream when I started Rads. Before hand I went and bought some soft non wired bras (primark had some really cheap ones which have been very comfy) I also bought some strappy tshirts with hidden support in case I get sore and can’t wear a proper bra. I try and leave my bra off after treatment too. Also try and keep your tops relatively loose and I have found cotton the best - if I wear a jumper I normally wear a tShirt underneath to avoid irratation. As you go through it I have found its a bit like the problem you get with too much sun.
I apply my cream after my shower or bath in the morning (i know they say shower only but I don’t soak and the water is not v hot), then after treatment (I take a small pot with me and apply it before I get redressed) and then I apply more before I go to bed. So far my skin is a bit pink but OK (not bad cos I have terrible trouble in the sun so i was really concerned especially as they are giving me the max dos).
The first week I felt a bit tired afterwards but OK now but everyone is different. E45 can be expensive (especially the amount i use) so I do have a v large tub of non branded aqeious cream which was half the price (try Boots Sainsburys or ASDA).I am sure other ladies will have loads of tips such as keeping the cream in the fridge - hand held fans etc - it just depends how you react
Hope all goes well - take care

Helen

hi sal,
i had my radiotherapy 4 yrs ago and by far the best advice I was given by someone else whod been through it was to buy the biggest tub of aqueous cream , and apply it as though you are icing a cake! It really did help me and the relief from the burning was great! Used to look foreward to getting home after my session and slapping it on! Seemed to help keep the skin in reasonable shape for further down the line too. Hope this helps
lol anne x

Ive just started last week, had 3, have around hour trip each way, must say not as bad as I thought dont feel anything when they do it, just hard lying still and seems longer than is. The hospital gave me a big tub of cream on day 2 and ran thorough all the dos and donts, such as no deodarant - aaarggh!! must admit been tired this weekend but still wearing my prothesis and just going au natural at night when door locked.

Good luck and let us know how you get on - Im a big baby and always get more wound up at anticipation, cried when first went in and since them been fine
x

hi mallysally

good luck with it

driving - depends how you are affected - I couldn’t drive for an hour - it knocks me out
other advice - stay out the sun (may not apply over there!!)

you’ll only know how you are when you start ,

love FB xx

I was told to rub cream in for a week before

Thanks ladies …nive to get a bit of imput before you start a new jurney…

just nice to get yourself prepared…

i will keep you informed lisaf…

as i will have just finished chomo hope that i dont get to knocked about as i wont to start to get back to normal and not feel ill anymore…

but thanks for your in put ladies…

sal x

hi, Sally

Justy thought I would join you. Going for planning tomorrow then rads start 3rd November. need 25 then 5 boosters - dreading this more than the chemo probably because of the driving and taking up most of my free time.

Didnt know if you are still in tough with Hayley?

Lynda

I drove myself to all my rads appointments.
Was given a large tub of aqueous cream by one of the rad nurses on my 1st one and used this
morning and night. Also went with out a bra while at home.

I’m reading a book called “Coping with radiotherapy”. One thing I’ve noted is that oxygen in the blood helps kill any cancer cells and make radiotherapy more effective so eat lots of foods loaded with iron (I’m taking a natural iron supplement called spa tone to get me ready :slight_smile:

Angie

that’s interesting Angie - I keep prefering red meat to fish - perhaps that’s why?

Hi ladies

well i cant wait to start rads …sounds mad but at lraest i wont freel ill any more just tierd i hope …

not looking forward to the drive but there you go nothing is simple…
no i havnt heard off hayley for a while,have you hope she is well and ok lynda…

so lynda bet you cant wait to start this jurney …get it out of the way …Im having 13 rads …my onc wasnt going to have any but he said as a safety blanket …so Im up for that …

well let me know how you are getting on as i start on the 4th i think,

sal xx

FixBix
Are you still having your rads ???
how is it going if you are

Can i ask why you have boosters ???

sal x

Hi mallysally - I’m now 28 done and 5 boosters to go - if you read the thread on boosters you’ll see that they are not exacly boosters - just a different way of zapping - no idea why I need them and am hoping for no more tattoos - if you wan to know why you could ask on the boosters thread - someone will know - I’ll ask for you

by the way you may feel a bit sick - i did - but eating made me feel better - as does drinking loads of water - if you do feel ill then by the following morning you will be ok again

good luck love FB xx

hi, sal and ladies,

looks like we start together. i have 25 and 5 boosters on top. boosters are to target the site of lump so onc says and added precaution I guess.

Have sent a text to Hayley so will wait to hear back.

just trying to enjoy the free time. Lynda x

Thanks fixbix ans lynda…

Im going back to work when rads start…so Im hoping I dont feel to sick …but Im only going back on saturdays at first then part time when rads fInish …I was full time but going to have a bit of time to myself and get my big ass to the gym on the days I have to myself…

well keep us posted ladies
sal x

I didnt feel sick just achy and yawning like mad when come out!!!

hi, sal

Good luck with work, I have been off since dx in Jan dreading going back but do not need to worry until in the New Year.

Going to fre time before all the travelling starts. I too hope to be going to gym as wasted loads of money on membership this year.

Lynda

Hi Lynd67

hope you are ok hun …Iv just started back at gym been swimming this week and today i went into the gym …Well Well i was nacked swet my pants off…it was hard work as i havnt been in gym since i was DX in April…

but i enjoyed it if that makes sence …

well not long till Rads start csnt wait for my hair to start growing back …lol…

well have a good weekend
sal x

hi Sal!

had last chemo fri 10th, starting 25 rads 17th nov and herceptin 26th Nov. So we’re still running side by side, and Im dead jealouse that you’ve managed to get to the gym!!! I’m lardy and staying in bed this week after that completely sh*t 5th cycle when i was in hospital for 5 days! making the most of OH’s sympathy!!

Nice to be getting your tips for rads - hadn’t thought of asking for any of course !!!

Td xx