Radition ... Aloe Vera
My husband's granddaughter gave me some good advice. She is a radiation therapist and suggested that I use Aloe Vera to hydrate my skin before and after treatment. Here is what she recommended to me:
"Use the Aloe Vera before you start treatment at least once or twice a day. Make sure you put it across your sternum to the other side, wrap
around to the side as much as possible, as low as your rib cage and very high up the clavicle and neck. They will be treating your lymph nodes up there by your clavicle and neck area, this area has very thin skin and reacts poorly sometimes. When you start radiation, DO NOT put the aloe vera gel on 3 hours before treatment. If you have a morning appt, just wait and put it on after treatment and again at night. If you have a pm appt then you can put it on right away in the am and again at night or after treatment. Remember, this will NOT prevent any redness or irritation to the skin due to the radiation. It is only a helpful measure to "prepare" the skin so it can heal better."
After treatment yesterday, I make sure to rub the Aloe Vera up into my arm pit, cause I felt a burning in that area after treatment.
I went to local natural food store and purchased some Aloe Vera that is 100% Aloe Vera, organically grown and bottled in the USA ... Called Real Aloe. I paid $10.25 for a 32 oz bottle. There are no other additives in this product, 100% Aloe Vera. Make the skin feel very soft. I've been rubbing it on my bald head as well!
I believe this will help me heal quicker with lovely smooth skin!
Comments
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Mr. Joseph approves!
Thanks for the tip, divablu - I am sure Moopsy will be most interested in this information: she and I are both very interested in keeping her skin smooth and lovely.
And as Moopy's official Baldness Coach, Mr. Joseph highly recommends head massages both to moisturize the skin and also because Moopy says they feel nice. This is also a wonderful, enjoyable way for a caregiver to do something nice for his or her BC warrior. The top of *my* head has been moisturized by the elements for more than two decades now, but it makes me happy to protect my lovely Kitten's head as best I can.
Joe0 -
Thanks Diva
I am glad you are going before me so i can learn more. I have always believed in aloe Vera.. now i know what kind of plants i will be growing along with my lillies and tomatoes. Keep me posted please on other helpful hints that you learn, and good luck with the Rads.
God Bless
Jackie0 -
Aloe, etc
Thanks Diva~ it is always good to pass along tips! The radiology clinic I went to gave out tubes of Aquaphor as if they were Halloween candy, and I gooped it on liberally, went braless and wore big, man-sized T-shirts as often as possible. Not quite a fashion statement, but I felt good!
I also got a natural sponge and liquid Aveeno bodywash. Nothing with soap, perfume or dyes. I would saturate the sponge, add the Aveeno to it, make suds and squeeze it over the radiated area while taking a shower. I never, ever rubbed the skin, just squeezed the sudsy sponge. I did get very itchy skin halfway through treatment~ if any of you do, tell your radiologist! He/she will give you a prescription for Hydrocortisone; the OTC brands won't be strong enough to quell the itch.
Thanks again, Diva!
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
For those of you who maychenheart said:Aloe, etc
Thanks Diva~ it is always good to pass along tips! The radiology clinic I went to gave out tubes of Aquaphor as if they were Halloween candy, and I gooped it on liberally, went braless and wore big, man-sized T-shirts as often as possible. Not quite a fashion statement, but I felt good!
I also got a natural sponge and liquid Aveeno bodywash. Nothing with soap, perfume or dyes. I would saturate the sponge, add the Aveeno to it, make suds and squeeze it over the radiated area while taking a shower. I never, ever rubbed the skin, just squeezed the sudsy sponge. I did get very itchy skin halfway through treatment~ if any of you do, tell your radiologist! He/she will give you a prescription for Hydrocortisone; the OTC brands won't be strong enough to quell the itch.
Thanks again, Diva!
Hugs,
Claudia
For those of you who may have problems with your digestive tract, a form of aloe vera in liquid is available at most drugstores. When taken daily, it will sooth the digestive system, and heals any kind of inflammation you may have developed because of meds or even stress/anxiety. The liquid is ingested in 4 oz. increments, and can be taken three or four times a day. I have mixed in a little grape juice to give it some taste, and it also comes in berry flavored. Aloe is one of the old time remedies for many things, i.e. sunburn, burns, and also ulcers. Great stuff. The Aquaphor gel is also very good on the radiation burns, but I think straight aloe vera is much better. Good luck, and hope this information help.
Judy0 -
thank you
Thanks for the advice--I've been using the aquaphor and managed to get some on the cat today. He looks pretty sad, may be time for a kitty bath, oh joy! But I think I'll get the aloe also. 2 down, 28 to go.
Maureen0 -
Aquaphor ...chenheart said:Aloe, etc
Thanks Diva~ it is always good to pass along tips! The radiology clinic I went to gave out tubes of Aquaphor as if they were Halloween candy, and I gooped it on liberally, went braless and wore big, man-sized T-shirts as often as possible. Not quite a fashion statement, but I felt good!
I also got a natural sponge and liquid Aveeno bodywash. Nothing with soap, perfume or dyes. I would saturate the sponge, add the Aveeno to it, make suds and squeeze it over the radiated area while taking a shower. I never, ever rubbed the skin, just squeezed the sudsy sponge. I did get very itchy skin halfway through treatment~ if any of you do, tell your radiologist! He/she will give you a prescription for Hydrocortisone; the OTC brands won't be strong enough to quell the itch.
Thanks again, Diva!
Hugs,
Claudia
The nurse gave me some tubes of the Aquaphor today. As soon as I got home I slapped on the Aloe Vera and the Aquahor on top.
Soaps ... no Dial as it is too drying. The nurse today suggested Olay liquid soap, and as you said Chen, no scrubbing.
On the funny side of my treatment today. I was coughing and they gave me a lemon drop and said "Don't choke". The power of suggestion ... I choked on the lemon drop! Scarred both the radiation techs!
Another funny moment ... I was fixing dinner for 8 seniors at a local assisted living home, had on my wig, was making meat loaf. The next day I noticed that I singed the bangs on my wig getting the meat loaf out of the oven! It is a synthetic wig, just melted some f the bangs! Pretty funny!0 -
The product I mentionedcreampuff91344 said:For those of you who may
For those of you who may have problems with your digestive tract, a form of aloe vera in liquid is available at most drugstores. When taken daily, it will sooth the digestive system, and heals any kind of inflammation you may have developed because of meds or even stress/anxiety. The liquid is ingested in 4 oz. increments, and can be taken three or four times a day. I have mixed in a little grape juice to give it some taste, and it also comes in berry flavored. Aloe is one of the old time remedies for many things, i.e. sunburn, burns, and also ulcers. Great stuff. The Aquaphor gel is also very good on the radiation burns, but I think straight aloe vera is much better. Good luck, and hope this information help.
Judy
The product I mentioned above ... Real Aloe ... you can also drink. On the bottle it says it helps to intensive the benefits of any supplements you may be taking.0 -
Caution: some allergy...start slow!divablu said:The product I mentioned
The product I mentioned above ... Real Aloe ... you can also drink. On the bottle it says it helps to intensive the benefits of any supplements you may be taking.
I am EXTREMELY allergic to aloe...in any form! I once teased my beau that when he wants to do away with me, just mix some juice in my coffee...I'll be gone in an hour!
Kathi0 -
I took an Aquaphor tube to treatment....divablu said:Aquaphor ...
The nurse gave me some tubes of the Aquaphor today. As soon as I got home I slapped on the Aloe Vera and the Aquahor on top.
Soaps ... no Dial as it is too drying. The nurse today suggested Olay liquid soap, and as you said Chen, no scrubbing.
On the funny side of my treatment today. I was coughing and they gave me a lemon drop and said "Don't choke". The power of suggestion ... I choked on the lemon drop! Scarred both the radiation techs!
Another funny moment ... I was fixing dinner for 8 seniors at a local assisted living home, had on my wig, was making meat loaf. The next day I noticed that I singed the bangs on my wig getting the meat loaf out of the oven! It is a synthetic wig, just melted some f the bangs! Pretty funny!
Slathered it on right after treatment, before dressing...it worked wonders!
Kathi0 -
Calling Dr Freud!!!divablu said:Aquaphor ...
The nurse gave me some tubes of the Aquaphor today. As soon as I got home I slapped on the Aloe Vera and the Aquahor on top.
Soaps ... no Dial as it is too drying. The nurse today suggested Olay liquid soap, and as you said Chen, no scrubbing.
On the funny side of my treatment today. I was coughing and they gave me a lemon drop and said "Don't choke". The power of suggestion ... I choked on the lemon drop! Scarred both the radiation techs!
Another funny moment ... I was fixing dinner for 8 seniors at a local assisted living home, had on my wig, was making meat loaf. The next day I noticed that I singed the bangs on my wig getting the meat loaf out of the oven! It is a synthetic wig, just melted some f the bangs! Pretty funny!
Who wudda thunk it??? Laughing over a near Heimlich maneuver situation, melted bangs, and gooping ointment on our war-torn bodies???? Only on the Cancer Boards! I dare say it wasn't a Freudian slip that instead of SCARED, you typed in that the techs were SCARRED.... :-)
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
radiation
I am new here.I had a stage 1 brest cancer. After two surgery, I am going to have radiation soon. I had to have it next week, but because I am dealing with a flue, I post pone it to around March 11. I feel lonley. my family are not living here. I had a friend who we were planning to marru last year, but then we diecided to just stay freind. he supported me during the surgeries, but left me the night after I left the hospital after the surgery. he thought I am carazy because there is nothing wrong with me and I dont have to cry. I was crying because I felt lonley and I needed my family support at that time. ( he has some problem himself anyway) it was very sad to hear that!
I am also wondering about how the radiation will gpo for me.
Any way I wish all of you a full recovery and I pray for all.0 -
Opps ...chenheart said:Calling Dr Freud!!!
Who wudda thunk it??? Laughing over a near Heimlich maneuver situation, melted bangs, and gooping ointment on our war-torn bodies???? Only on the Cancer Boards! I dare say it wasn't a Freudian slip that instead of SCARED, you typed in that the techs were SCARRED.... :-)
Hugs,
Claudia
Chemo brain strikes again!0 -
Go ahead and cry ...neda said:radiation
I am new here.I had a stage 1 brest cancer. After two surgery, I am going to have radiation soon. I had to have it next week, but because I am dealing with a flue, I post pone it to around March 11. I feel lonley. my family are not living here. I had a friend who we were planning to marru last year, but then we diecided to just stay freind. he supported me during the surgeries, but left me the night after I left the hospital after the surgery. he thought I am carazy because there is nothing wrong with me and I dont have to cry. I was crying because I felt lonley and I needed my family support at that time. ( he has some problem himself anyway) it was very sad to hear that!
I am also wondering about how the radiation will gpo for me.
Any way I wish all of you a full recovery and I pray for all.
Tears are good and cleansing. You are not alone. But it certainly feels like it sometimes.
Is your family nearby? Talk to your doctor, is there a cancer support group you can attend?
Feel free to scream, swear and cry.
Stay strong! Huggs!0 -
Thank you.divablu said:Go ahead and cry ...
Tears are good and cleansing. You are not alone. But it certainly feels like it sometimes.
Is your family nearby? Talk to your doctor, is there a cancer support group you can attend?
Feel free to scream, swear and cry.
Stay strong! Huggs!
Thank you for supporting me. Unfurtuantly my family living in another country. I have wo many selfish relative except a few of them who live in another states. th ecancer support group is only once a month which I haven't been able to attend yet.
I will try to stay strong for my family since I don't want them to go through another tragedy. ( I have lost a sister and brother from cancer, and my fathr was killed in a hit and run car acident last year)
I wish you a full recovery soon.0 -
Radiation.....Aloe Vera
Thank you for this post. This is exactly the info I am searching for. I am a big beleiver in using Nature to help me heal from this experience. The Dr. said not to use anything with alochol (as a perservative) in it. But there are so many chemiacal names that are used so it is confusing. Maybe a good guide will be if it is hard to pornounce - don't use it! I am looking for names of products that others have used with success. Also what bath soap and deoderant have others been able to use during and after treatment. Any info and advice will be appreciated.0 -
Too Funnydivablu said:Aquaphor ...
The nurse gave me some tubes of the Aquaphor today. As soon as I got home I slapped on the Aloe Vera and the Aquahor on top.
Soaps ... no Dial as it is too drying. The nurse today suggested Olay liquid soap, and as you said Chen, no scrubbing.
On the funny side of my treatment today. I was coughing and they gave me a lemon drop and said "Don't choke". The power of suggestion ... I choked on the lemon drop! Scarred both the radiation techs!
Another funny moment ... I was fixing dinner for 8 seniors at a local assisted living home, had on my wig, was making meat loaf. The next day I noticed that I singed the bangs on my wig getting the meat loaf out of the oven! It is a synthetic wig, just melted some f the bangs! Pretty funny!
Our sense of humor is what helps us get through this. Just watch out for HOT OVENS!0 -
I am sure any responsible
I am sure any responsible rads. clinic will tell you this, but it bears repeating. Do not use any deodorants except Toms of Maine as most deoderants contain metal that will not react well to the radiation.
I used aloe and aquaphor. Hated the aquaphor, loved the aloe. I don't know which worked better, but the aloe felt better (not like a piece of buttered bread!)
Almost a year after rads and my skin is just like before with a slight lingering tan in some spots. All my love to those of you going through this right now, Joyce0 -
DeodorantsJoycelouise said:I am sure any responsible
I am sure any responsible rads. clinic will tell you this, but it bears repeating. Do not use any deodorants except Toms of Maine as most deoderants contain metal that will not react well to the radiation.
I used aloe and aquaphor. Hated the aquaphor, loved the aloe. I don't know which worked better, but the aloe felt better (not like a piece of buttered bread!)
Almost a year after rads and my skin is just like before with a slight lingering tan in some spots. All my love to those of you going through this right now, Joyce
I found one by accident, It's called Crystal. It contains nothing that will sting and bears the pink ribbon logo. It works, it has no scent or colour, it's just like spraying on water. Hope this helps J xxxxxxxxxxxxxx0
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