I am coming towards the end of my rads. Had 20 “normal” ones, 1 boost today, and 4 boosts next week and then I’m done with them yippeeee!!!
My poor boob though is looking the worse for wear, very dark and very sensitive, although I have started using something called Flamigel which the doc here gave me which is for treating burns and supposed to aid healing and I can see a big improvement with it.
Anyway - back to the question! - I really want a nice soak in the bath when all this is over, but when is it okay to do that? Sounds a bit dim I know, but I don’t know whether the bath ban was because I would wash off all the drawings on me, or because it might make my skin worse etc.
Hi Spudgirl - well it sounds as though your skin is pretty sore so take it easy it may get worse before you see any improvement. I was told not to soak but to shower and ‘pat’ dry for many weeks after - 9 in all after rads had finished. It all came as a bit of a shock as I thought I’d sailed through… also needed to put a cotton hankie under my boob to absorb moisture. Your a very lucky girl to have a Doctor to prescribe for you mine wouldn’t give me anything !!Hope you can wallow soon. well done for getting this far rest , relax and enjoy the summer.Saw the surgeon yesterday - I’d finished rads mid feb 10 - he said ‘Hmmmmm your still abit red then’!! and it’s now June!!! goes nicely with my blue stain which is still very obvious.
I wasn’t given any information not to have a bath! (or perhaps I chose to ignore it as I love baths! I had to give up some many things that year so I had to keep some luxuries!)
I had 33 rads in 2007, I went a little sore, but remember putting the cream I was given into the fridge, then after having a relaxing bath lathering it all over my breast…it felt great!
If you’ve been told not to, I suppose you should follow the advice, but I guess if the skin is unbroken and the rads have finished it shouldn’t do any harm, as long as you moisturise sufficiently.
Take care and hope you make it to the end of the rads without too much discomfort,
Hi spudgirl - like you I couldn’t wait for a bath. However although boob was red and quite sore there was no broken skin or sore patches, so perhaps you may need to wait until the Flamigel does its stuff. I did have a bath even during rads but did not soak boob, it did get wet a bit. Used Simple bath soaks and washed with simple soap and a baby sponge. Did not come to any harm. After bath lathered on aqueous cream and covered with a cotton hankie and as am well endowed also tucked it under boob to stop chaffing. Only wore cotton vests all through rads and for 2 weeks after so no sore spots developed. Good luck and hope you soon get your bath
Marli
I would say ask, I had a very tiny patch of broken skin under my boob, was told how well I had done as I have rather lot of boob, did not relise just how long after rads had finished that it would keep cooking - like a microwave, so did not moisturise as much as i should and soaked in the bath - it took 6 weeks for the subsequet burning and broken skin to heal. So double check is my best advice.
I’m 4 weeks into 7 weeks of rads and have a bath every day. I make sure it isn’t too hot and don’t use any products except simple soap, but I’ve had no problems yet. I have tattoos - so that isn’t an issue.
I showered every day during the rads and made sure that I used aquaeous cream given by hospital. I was fortunate that the skin held up very well during the treatment but then carried on cooking afterwards, and although I was advised of that I didn’t realise just how much it could do. My skin broke out and now four weeks after end of rads I’m still recovering. Skin is intact now but very tender and feels bruised most of the time.
I think it’s probably best to ask before you luxuriate in bubbles, might be worthwhile finding something that’s perfume free and taking it along for someone to pass judgement on.
I’m on no 17 of 20 rads & don’t recall being told not to bathe. There’s nothing like a dip when you’re tired & I’m still using my aromatherapy oils in the bath water to help me sleep. I don’t have the water too hot & it gives me some relaxation time. If you’re skin is actually broken showering is probably still best but once intact go spoil yourself in a deep pool of your favourite scent. We’re girls after all.
Interested to hear everyone mention the continuing after-effects. Maybe not quite at the end after all.
I wasn’t told not to bath but I would suggest that it would be a good idea not to put anything in the water which could irritate the skin more. Use something unperfumed, like one of the Simple products, as it is the perfume which often causes skin problems such as eczema.
i havent had my rads yet ( still in chemo hole…) but from sensitive skin point of view, in the past i have put smelly bubbles/aromatherapy in the sink with red hot water so i still get the smell and relaxation, but have just had a bath in warm water, bit of a compromise but has worked for me.
Hi
I am new on this site, but am nearly finished my radio treatment, have been having luke warm baths and have used lavender oil in the bath and Aquesous Cream to wash, then to moisturise. My boob in a little hot and tender, but am fed up with the fact I still have a blue nipple and a numb swollen arm.
Have also used organic deodorant from Holland and Barrets. Hope this helps x
