What to wear to work during the 7 weeks of radiation

TraciInLA said:

It was all about a black cardigan for me
I work in a "business casual" office, am a "well endowed" woman, and NEVER in my life went out of the house without a bra until I did radiation.

My oncologist said it was fine to wear non-underwire bras if I wanted to, but by about 2 weeks into radiation, even those were uncomfortable. I had a nice black cardigan sweater, so I just wore that over whatever I was wearing to work every day. I also stuck to dark colors, and loose-fitting blouses or sweaters underneath the cardigan, to be as discreet as possible.

On the weekends, I wore either a hoodie sweatshirt or fleece vest over the white t-shirts. I found the fleece vests particularly easy to just throw on when a sweatshirt was too warm -- I bought several in pretty colors.

I actually got reasonably comfortable with this no-bra arrangement, which kind of shocked me. Did I mention that I wouldn't even go outside to get the mail without a bra before?

:-) Traci

Support Camisoles at TLC.com
During my radiation treatment I had the luxury of staying home until it was completed.

My radiation oncologist nurse said it was fine to wear non-underwire bras if I wanted to. By the (2) second week into radiation, even those were uncomfortable and irritating. I had purchased a few dark color camisoles and put them under my clothing until it got to a point I could not wear anything. I stuck to really loose-fitting garments.

At a point, going without a bra was my only option, which I was totally uncomfortable about doing. Believe it or not I actually got very comfortable with this no-bra arrangement, which was a shock to me.

Upon returning back to work in Nov. 2010, I still could not wear a bra so the camisole option was still a great choice. I wore a sweater or jacket on top of my clothing which covered up the fact that I was not wearing a bra. I just started wearing a bra in March 2011. I found a few really nice soft cup bra, that is really comfortable! :-O Sonya

I was very lucky
My onc told me to use lotion right after each round of rads. I did that and was able to wear my regular underwire bras and clothing all thru rads. Hope you're equally lucky.

marge

sharice42 said:

Support Camisoles at TLC.com
During my radiation treatment I had the luxury of staying home until it was completed.

My radiation oncologist nurse said it was fine to wear non-underwire bras if I wanted to. By the (2) second week into radiation, even those were uncomfortable and irritating. I had purchased a few dark color camisoles and put them under my clothing until it got to a point I could not wear anything. I stuck to really loose-fitting garments.

At a point, going without a bra was my only option, which I was totally uncomfortable about doing. Believe it or not I actually got very comfortable with this no-bra arrangement, which was a shock to me.

Upon returning back to work in Nov. 2010, I still could not wear a bra so the camisole option was still a great choice. I wore a sweater or jacket on top of my clothing which covered up the fact that I was not wearing a bra. I just started wearing a bra in March 2011. I found a few really nice soft cup bra, that is really comfortable! :-O Sonya

I normally went bra less
I normally went bra less during rads, as, I didn't want anything to rub against my skin to irritate it. I usually wore something baggy with no bra, a camisole or I bought a really soft all cotton sports bra. I really didn't worry if I was braless what people thought. Anyone that knew me, knew that I was going thru rads.

Just do what is comfortable for you, and, good luck with rads.


Hugs, Megan

NJMom10 said:

I guess its braless then!
As usual ladies thanks for your advice. I kept wondering what you all were wearing under those soft cotton tshirts that were recommended and now I know it was 'nothing'! I will continue to wear the soft non underwire bras I bought until I find them too uncomfortable, then I will switch to 'whatever' works. I do have a lot of comfortable cardigans that I can use to 'hide' the floppiness. And who knows maybe the lotions they have me applying 3xs per day will help enough that I'll be ok. We'll see. It's always something. Thanks again for all your help.

I didnt' do anything differntly...
after surgery I think I wore sports bra (I am small breasted) with my 8 wks of radiation I dressed like normally did...I was fortunate I DID NOT burn, chap and NO SIDE effects...

I HOPE you get some more helpful answers or suggestions

denise

NJMom10 said:

I guess its braless then!
As usual ladies thanks for your advice. I kept wondering what you all were wearing under those soft cotton tshirts that were recommended and now I know it was 'nothing'! I will continue to wear the soft non underwire bras I bought until I find them too uncomfortable, then I will switch to 'whatever' works. I do have a lot of comfortable cardigans that I can use to 'hide' the floppiness. And who knows maybe the lotions they have me applying 3xs per day will help enough that I'll be ok. We'll see. It's always something. Thanks again for all your help.

I only applied my creams
I only applied my creams when I was home. If I went out, I couldn't wear them as they stained, almost permanently, what I was wearing. At home, I always wore an old tshirt of my hubby's, so, I could wash it in hot and throw it away after rads were done. Jeanne D told us about that.

The creams I used were very, very greasy. And, I applied them generously when I would be at home, and, especially when I went to bed.


Good luck! Ask any questions you might have.


Hugs, Kylez

NJMom10 said:

Thanks
Thanks MAJW. I am using Aveeno cream suggested by the rad onc group and I'm not noticing any staining either. I was told to start using it a week before the rads started. As a matter of fact I like the cream so much, I may just use this it for summer skin issues after this is over. I am starting out with these very soft non underwires from Kohls also. I'm hoping to wear them through treatment but we shall see. Thanks for all your posts!

I didn't wear a bra. I just
I didn't wear a bra. I just wore clothes that were baggy a little. And, I didn't go a lot of places where I worried about if anyone could see anything.

I used Biafine and Aquaphor, but, never under anything that was good. BOTH are greasy and will stain if you use enough. I would clean up in the morning and not have anything on, as, I was going for my rad treatment. Once I was home then, I put my Biafine and Aquaphor on. I didn't burn, got really dark pink and tender, but, it was bearable. A few weeks after rads were done, my skin was beautiful, like a baby's butt and still is.

And, don't use a deodorant unless it is aluminum free. Tom's of Maine is one that I know of.

Just use what your rads oncologist says to. And, get lots of rest. Rads will wear you out.


Hugs, Diane

I wore a tank top
I wore a tank top or camisole with a built in "bra". I topped them off with a dress jacket for work. Toward the end I just wore the tank top (without the built in) and jacket

cavediver said:

tank top & loose shirt
to the rads I did not wear a bra....just a tank top and a button down Columbia style shirt.... I had a mastectomy but the loose fitting columbia style shirt was able to camoflauge that pretty well. After the rads, I put on the creams and went home. then, I put on the aquaphor and the t-shirt. Good luck with rads........ keep us posted. Hugs...

soft baggy shirts
I just finished rads 3 weeks ago so was going through this during cold weather and could wear my t-shirt under a loose sweatshirt. I DID burn in the last days so haave been going bra-less or putting mu t-shirt under my bra as the blisters weep and get things wet. It looks a little funny but most people don't see that. Now that warmer weather is on the horizon I'll have to figure something else out until everything dries up.

I started getting red and irritated my first day so I could not wear a bra ether. I got some 'reusable silicone gel petals' from target. They are...to quote the box "for a smooth look with or without a bra" they were around $9.00 and you can wear them over and over. I love them and would not feel comfortable going out in public without them.
Hope this helps