Foxy, at one rads session (towards the end) my lovely rads lady Helen said "how are you today?" My answer? "Hung over." Helen didn't bat an eyelid, but did laugh a bit. Don't think she was used to such honesty!
Seriously though, it is a good idea to keep yourself well hydrated during rads, and excess (I stress - EXCESS) alcohol can be very dehydrating. However, the odd small glass of something relaxing, that helps you sleep, is not going to put everything in jeopardy. (This is personal opinion, I have no medical training, just personal experience and an interest in "stuff".)
Rads can feel a bit "full-on" because you're there every day, but I found it quickly fell into a bit of a routine. I got to know the staff, how they did things, where I needed to be and when, and I found my four weeks just dashed by.
Look after your skin. Don't use anything on your rads area that hasn't been cleared by the rads team. Even your shower gel. Aqueous cream is a great shower gel, and dirt cheap. It has nothing nasty in it (but if you have some, bring it in for the rads peeps to check the label) and I found Holland & Barrett aloe vera 99% gel was incredibly soothing to apply many times a day. Went through lots of it, and it makes a great hand cream if you have any left over.
Some people advise NOT wearing a bra, but personally I found that my post-surgery very snug sports bra was just the ticket, to help avoid ANY rubbing of skin against clothes. Going bra-less for me was very uncomfortable. But everybody finds their own best way of doing things. It is certainly a good idea to have some time just lying around with the air getting to the skin, and at least it's not absolutely freezing this time of year so it should be achievable.
Best of luck for next week and the following weeks. It's the start of another unknown, and therefore stressful, experience. But I hope your team are very supportive.
Oh, just a thought. If you have some kind of wrap-over top, you might want to bring it with you. Some people feel a bit vulnerable being completely exposed. Depending on where you are, you might be provided with a regular hospital gown (which I found worked best tied at the front so I could keep the un-radiated breast covered) or perhaps a specific breast gown, and others just expect you to be happy with a piece of blue paper. But if you have your own top that will let you maintain your dignity as far as possible, that might make YOU feel better about it.
Expect to be asked your name, date of birth, favourite film and what you had for breakfast every time. (ok, so the last two maybe not, but you get the idea...)
I'm not sure what bench I'm on. The tiddly bench, probably. Or maybe the indecisive one? Not quite sure... At least it's not the CSL bench. That could change by tomorrow evening though. I have a meeting with the organisation that cannot be named tomorrow, and I'm really dreading it. I've been spending the weekend reading their procedures manual (which I have only just been pointed towards) and I'm completely horrified at how many things they've done wrong over the last six months. OK, I hear you say, then you have right on your side. Perhaps, I reply, but they have a record of making the wrong decisions so I have no confidence they won't just carry on in the same vein. I am so distressed about all of this, I can't begin to tell you. I must make clear that this is personal opinion and not the opinion or view of BCC. Just in case the moderators decide that my post needs to be moderated...
