What Do You Think Of Offering Rad Tips For Those That Are Just Starting Treatment Now Or Soon?

124

Comments

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member

    rads advice
    I used only Neutrogena Rainbath for - oh wait - I still use it. My lymphedema specialist had a list of soaps to NOT use - their ph is wrong. She said this one was fine. Even Dove can cause problems and Ivory is among the worst to use!

    Good idea to use the lotions and creams from the get go. I used one with cooling properties and it was so nice!

    I finished on October 17th (2011) and I am noticing some minor side effects still coming up. I had stopped using the lotion - back on track with that!!

    Yes, I used my creams for
    Yes, I used my creams for probably months after I finished rads. My rads oncologist told me to. Glad you are back on track Melanie!


    Jan
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    ladyg said:

    Another cream to try.
    I used Aquaphor at night and a light application early in the morning. When I was getting dressed after my treatment I used Calendula Gel. It worked well and is not greasy so it does not stain your clothes. Another deoderant that is acceptable is Herbal Clear Sport. It also does not contain aluminum. Good wishes for all who are just starting rads.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    How are all of you doing
    How are all of you doing that are having rads now?
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    ladyg said:

    Another cream to try.
    I used Aquaphor at night and a light application early in the morning. When I was getting dressed after my treatment I used Calendula Gel. It worked well and is not greasy so it does not stain your clothes. Another deoderant that is acceptable is Herbal Clear Sport. It also does not contain aluminum. Good wishes for all who are just starting rads.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Bumping up for Mellie Mc!

    Bumping up for Mellie Mc!
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    MellieMc said:

    Great tips
    I will be have rads later. These are great tips. I bought some post op camis from women's worlds they were much cheaper than others I had seen. I'm hoping these wlll work for rad treatment. I bought them big!

    How are you doing Mellie?
    How are you doing Mellie? Did you start yet?
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Kiantae said:

    Silicone Basting Brush, really.
    I am fair skinned and burned pretty badly. It was painful to put the lotion over the burned area but I knew I needed to do it. I bought a silicone basting brush used for cooking and my husband used that to apply lotion every night. It was soft and spread the lotion over the area with very little pressure. Sounds crazy, but worked wonderfully and my husband was relieved that he was not causing me more pain.

    Kiantae, what a great idea
    Kiantae, what a great idea using the silicone basting brush! Thanks!


    Sue :)
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    chenheart said:

    Great advice, all!! NEVER
    Great advice, all!! NEVER use soaps with dyes, perfumes or additives~ and as Carkris mentioned don't, don't, don't rub your skin! Even if it doesn't look burned, it is, and rubbing it is one of the worst things you can possibly do!
    When showering, I used Aveeno body wash~ it is colloidal oatmeal ( skin soothing) and a natural sea sponge. I saturated the sponge with water, put Aveeno on it, made bubbles and squeezed the warm bubbles over my skin~ NEVER allowing the sponge to touch my skin. ( have I made the no rubbing part clear??? LOL) I also didn't have the water temperature too hot either.
    The rad center I went to had tubes of Aquaphor for the taking~ I slathered that on profusely~ I also went bra-less and wore a big man's shirt~ one which could get stained. I worked as a caregiver in the home of an elderly woman~ she didn't care thankfuly how I dressed! This "outfit" might not have worked so well in corporate America! :-)

    I was also told that if I started itching ( which I eventually did) to ask my Dr. for a prescription of Cortisone cream~ the OTC brands would not be strong enough to take care of the itch.

    As with chemo~ drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    Kicking this up

    Kicking this up
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Imadandy said:

    Vitamin E
    This scares me, as my Oncologist just put me on Vitamin E tablets twice a day for hot flashes. He didn't say anything about it helping the bad cells grow! I'm currently still on chemotherapy and won't start radiation for at least 11 more weeks. I wonder if I need to bring this up with the doctor at my next appointment...

    The Vitamin E actually helped calm down the hot flashes so this is a bummer to hear! The other option he gave me was going on Effexor and I'd rather not put more drugs in my system if I don't need to!

    Has anyone else been told this regarding Vitamins?

    Tracie

    Always ask your own rads
    Always ask your own rads oncologist about any vitamins Tracie. I was told to take nothing too.


    Jan
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Ritzy said:

    Kiantae, what a great idea
    Kiantae, what a great idea using the silicone basting brush! Thanks!


    Sue :)

    Bumping this thread up for
    Bumping this thread up for Mary who is just starting rads! Hope you get some helpful hints here! And for any others just beginning. Lots of great help in this post, but, always check with your own rads oncologist before doing or trying anything that is suggested.

    Sue :)
  • GrammyKaren
    GrammyKaren Member Posts: 96
    Ritzy said:

    Bumping this thread up for
    Bumping this thread up for Mary who is just starting rads! Hope you get some helpful hints here! And for any others just beginning. Lots of great help in this post, but, always check with your own rads oncologist before doing or trying anything that is suggested.

    Sue :)

    if I could say one things its aquafor
    First time rads 33X I did not take it seriously enough and was having money problems so I kept asking fro samples of aquafor.
    My sternum burned horribly and became very weepy and that happened because I was stupid. Apply liberally and gentley pat your self there , after 2nd week I never wore a bra (just a tank top under my sweaters) til I was all finished.
    I learned hard way. Water too and rest.

    Hugs,Karen
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Corinna11 said:

    Cabbage leaves on the
    Cabbage leaves on the treated area right after treatment works well for me. Creams on every night and a veggie juice once a day. Have about 10 treatments to go and I am very pink almost red. Getting tired so I try to take a nap when I can and when I am itchy there I use 'Keys Redi-Care spray' totally natural and organic and feels good. Hope that helps! :)
    Cory :D

    For Naomib who's just
    For Naomib who's just starting rads
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Corinna11 said:

    Cabbage leaves on the
    Cabbage leaves on the treated area right after treatment works well for me. Creams on every night and a veggie juice once a day. Have about 10 treatments to go and I am very pink almost red. Getting tired so I try to take a nap when I can and when I am itchy there I use 'Keys Redi-Care spray' totally natural and organic and feels good. Hope that helps! :)
    Cory :D

    For Naomib who's just
    For Naomib who's just starting rads
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    bgail84 said:

    New to rads
    I am new on this site. I will start rads in two weeks. I was told to use nothing on area. Can I still use a cream or not? Am so confused by it all at times. Thanks for any advise.

    Bumping up also for newbies

    Bumping up also for newbies
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000

    if I could say one things its aquafor
    First time rads 33X I did not take it seriously enough and was having money problems so I kept asking fro samples of aquafor.
    My sternum burned horribly and became very weepy and that happened because I was stupid. Apply liberally and gentley pat your self there , after 2nd week I never wore a bra (just a tank top under my sweaters) til I was all finished.
    I learned hard way. Water too and rest.

    Hugs,Karen

    Bumping up for the sisters
    Bumping up for the sisters just starting
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    Get Plenty of rest
    because by the end of week 3 you will most likely feel fatigue. Drink lots and lots of water or sports drinks. Keep your skin moisturized. I use the Aquaphor on my lips too. They have gotten so parched. I just started week 5, have 12 more to go. Doc ordered 36 treatments. The boosts start at treatment #28. Make sure the techs are checking your wounds from surgery. I found out today that the cut from the nodes is separating. I may have to stop treatments until it heals.

    I wear mens ginny tees under my tops and to bed. It protects clothing and bedding from getting stained. And the tees are soft enough so as not to irritate my booby.

    That's it from meeeeeeeeeeeeee
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    MsGebby said:

    Get Plenty of rest
    because by the end of week 3 you will most likely feel fatigue. Drink lots and lots of water or sports drinks. Keep your skin moisturized. I use the Aquaphor on my lips too. They have gotten so parched. I just started week 5, have 12 more to go. Doc ordered 36 treatments. The boosts start at treatment #28. Make sure the techs are checking your wounds from surgery. I found out today that the cut from the nodes is separating. I may have to stop treatments until it heals.

    I wear mens ginny tees under my tops and to bed. It protects clothing and bedding from getting stained. And the tees are soft enough so as not to irritate my booby.

    That's it from meeeeeeeeeeeeee

    You will soon be done Ms
    You will soon be done Ms Gebby! Great advice!


    Leeza
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    camul said:

    Great idea
    I never heard of Aqua Phor or anything else. I was not told anything, it was a friend, Gagee who told me to come on this site and what to do when I told her my skin was cracking after about 10 days.

    So I agree with all of the above, use the creams from day one. Use Dove unscented or another soap with no perfumes, and get rest when you need it.

    For anyone starting rads,
    For anyone starting rads, this has great tips for you.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    jnl said:

    You will soon be done Ms
    You will soon be done Ms Gebby! Great advice!


    Leeza

    For Oma_T
    who is just starting rads.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    Kylez said:

    For Oma_T
    who is just starting rads.

    I have read on the board
    I have read on the board lately where there are several pink sisters just starting rads, so, I thought they might benefit from this great post. Hope it will help someone.


    Diane
  • StaceyPMD1121
    StaceyPMD1121 Member Posts: 65
    DianeBC said:

    I have read on the board
    I have read on the board lately where there are several pink sisters just starting rads, so, I thought they might benefit from this great post. Hope it will help someone.


    Diane

    Thanks Ritzy Sue & DianeBC


    Thanks to all my pink sisters for the great Rad tips. I wrote them in my journal. I start chemo on June 8th for 6 cycles every 3 weeks to be followed by rads. I also made my chemo drugstore list from discussion on scared of chemo. I will continue to tell the cancer pts. at my breast center about this site so they can receive this priceless info from the pinkveterans.

    Peace,Blessings,& Hugs,
    Stacey
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493

    Thanks Ritzy Sue & DianeBC


    Thanks to all my pink sisters for the great Rad tips. I wrote them in my journal. I start chemo on June 8th for 6 cycles every 3 weeks to be followed by rads. I also made my chemo drugstore list from discussion on scared of chemo. I will continue to tell the cancer pts. at my breast center about this site so they can receive this priceless info from the pinkveterans.

    Peace,Blessings,& Hugs,
    Stacey

    Thanks SO much for getting
    Thanks SO much for getting this thread back up now. I start rads next month, so I'm taking notes and looking for any other tips, tricks or hints. Knowledge is power, and you ladies do have the knowledge and are so wonderful about sharing it.
    Angie