I’m due to have surgery on Tuesday follwed by Rads. But which cream do I apply. Aqua…Emu oil…Bio oil and then I find out I’m going to be tattooed. Help.Will have my last wine,promised myself to stop after surgery. 7th aug 09
hello jellylegs which surgery are you having ? I used aqueous all through rads and it worked well, I did get burned,particularly under the breast but cream there doesn’t help as it gets moist and that area needs to be kept dry. My skin broke down under there but bcn gave me some Allevyn dressings which did the trick. Wine I think is a necessary tonic,in my opinion, but lots of water too when hacving rads. I’d take it one step at a time though,get the surgery done and recover from that before getting in a pickle about radiotherapy. The tattoos are tiny wee pinpricks - don’t hurt and hardly noticeable. You don’t need to have them if you really object - see ContraryMary’s threads.Best of luck on Tuesday
jellylegs I started aqueous cream as soon as I started rads and did not wait till skin got red like a few people I spoke to.I myself have luckily not needed anything else I just used that throughout treatment an still am even after finishing 8 weeks ago.Hope that helps.Good luck Joyce xx
Hi Jellylegs
Oh you poor thing, you sound so panicked (and who could blame you!). It sounds like you’ve had a whole lot of information thrown at you and haven’t had time to digest it all. Firstly, what op are you having? (assuming you’re ok to share that). I take it the tattooing isn’t for nipple area after the op but someone will be able to advise you on this.
There’ll be a few people along to help very soon as well as 'yours truly"! There are so many ladies with so much experience so someone will be able to answer each question you have. If it’s any help, most of us have found that this is the hardest bit to get through due to the uncertainty/confusion etc - it will get easier very soon. Meanwhile, just fire away with questions and you’ll have floods of support and answers.
Lots of love. Cathy x
Hi Jellylegs
As someone who has literally just started RT the advice I would give you if you’re unsure of what to use on your breast for RT - try stuff you’re thinking of using as a moisturiser in advance of starting RT (if you’ve never used it before) to make sure your skin doesn’t react. I ruled out aqueous cream and also pure aloe gel as my skin likes neither. You may feel comfortable to go just with the radiotherapy dept.'s advice, we’re all different, and as others have said, their experience with aqueous cream (a common recommendation from RT depts) has been fine.
If you do go along a different road, as with any burn, avoid anything really heavy and greasy or oily. If it isn’t absorbed into your skin, and you go for your treatment you will fry (and the staff will probably have to remove it with alcohol rub or some such.
I’m currently going with gels - I’m using radiance gel which I got from the Penny Brohn Centre shop (you can google it really easily). It’s not cheap at £16.50 per pot compared with the aqueous cream in particular. You just need to find something that suits you and doesn’t have perfumes, dyes, or anything metal in it (one of the main reasons for banning the wearing of deodorants, I suspect). I’ve also got a mild lavender gel I’ve been using as well.
If the idea of tattoos upsets you, bear in mind that they cannot force you to have them (hence Chipper mentioning my thread). I had strong objections and they have accommodated me quite easily so far. I’ve got crosses drawn on me which they’ve covered with tegaderm (ok if you don’t have a reaction to it - luckily it’s one of the few skin adhesives my skin doesn’t react to). I don’t think it’s made my appointments so far last longer than they would otherwise have done.
You do need to start moisturising well in advance of starting the treatments - I’ve been doing 2-3 times a day, pre-treatment, and I’m up to 5 times a day already (I do have very sensitive skin), and as yet, I have no idea if my skin is holding up well or not.
Also a good idea to understand all the areas you need to apply moisturiser - if your beams exit at front and side, that’s easier to get to, but you will also need to know if you’re going to get any beams exiting in the neck or shoulder area.
Radiotherapy staff do know what I’m using, and I’ve explained about the aqueous cream and aloe gel. Ironically the primary ingredient of the radience gel is also aloe vera, but it’s mixed in with other stuff which helps my skin tolerate it.
The advice on drinking at least 2 litres of water or other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated, non-fizzy liquids is very good. Especially if the beams are likely to clip your lungs. It’s a very drying treatment generally, and you’re most likely to want do drink more water.
Having said all of the above - I would say, though, that you shouldn't get too panicked just yet about the rads - you're going to have plenty of time to prepare as it won't start until at least 4 weeks after surgery (they have to give you time to heal up from the op). If you can, try to just focus on your surgery. Have you and your surgeon made a final choice about what operation you will have?
Getting through all of the blizzard of information, and your own emotions as you try to come to terms with the diagnosis and make sense of the information is often easiest if you just take in what you need for the situation right in front of you. You'll get to the next stage with enough breathing space to find out what you need for that. And make use of all the information available from websites like this, your bcn, and your gp if you find him/her easy to talk to.
Wine is great medicine at times! Even better if you're sharing it with loved ones or friends. In the time before surgery I found wine and food with friends a great comfort!
Cathy is so right to say that once you get past that uncertainty and have plans in place you'll find it gets a bit easier.Remember the tattoos are only the size of a full stop.I found the area under the breast was best kept dry with a cool hairdryer or fan.If you wear a bra a ‘silk’ panty liner wrapped round the band of your bra protects the skin-I also found melolin dressings good in that area.
Good Luck,Vxx
yes, a fan was recommended by bcn to dry under the breast asfter shower. I used soft hankies in my bra to keep the band bit from rubbing the burned skin before I was given dressings.
You are all so kind ,thank you for taking the time to reply. Will take all the advice on board.xx
All the best for the op on Tuesday, Jellylegs!
I’ve got one of those little portable fan things, but haven’t felt the need just yet… I’m sure it will come.
All best wishes for your op jellylegs - and please try not to worry needlessly re the rads- to- come.
I had 15 with NO bad effects, no soreness etc etc and I am fair-skinned and thought I might have had probs. I used the ordinary aqueous cream by the way.
The staff were really nice; the tattoos are almost invisible, the rad sessions were SO quick and the whole experience was quite OK - especially after chemo which was grotty!
Good luck anyway.
Thanks ladies,just have to go for blood thinning injection tomorrow night about 8.00 then surgery Tuesday ,WLE. Have opened bottle of fizz tonight and danced to loud rock music all night.Funny feeling my boobs move never noticed it before,but can still rock!!!May have tatt turned into smiley face lol xx