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

Rague said:

Cataracts
Last Thursday I found out that cataracts can be a SE of rads. Went to my eye dr for annual check up and I thought I'd probably get a new pair of glasses but no - I got an appt. with the eye surgeon. He's certain that fads are the reason as my last rads were early March 2010 and no family history of them.

Susan

I never heard of this Rague.
I never heard of this Rague. When is your surgery? And thanks for informing all of us about this.


Hugs, Leeza

Tux said:

just starting rads
I completed rads more than 2 years ago & here is what I learned:

1. As other posters have said, follow the instructions of your rad onc & his staff.
Ask questions if you need to.

2. I was a teacher (now retired), so I had to wear a bra every day. The nurse told me
to buy cotton bras in a larger size, so I bought the "Just My Size" cotton bras at my local discount store. I was able to wear a bra every day.

3. Near the end the burns were pretty bad, and the nurse had me use "Domeboro Soaks"
from my local drugstore. I did not have to stop rads, but the burns were pretty bad.
The soaks helped.

4. I was absolutely determined to get through it. I felt "yucky" near the end, but kept myself going with cool drinks, mints, & Vicks salve.

You can get through it, too! Keep us posted.

I remember the room being so
I remember the room being so cold, so, long pants and socks is a good idea. The techs also put a warm blanket on me every time which I needed.

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

Calendula gel is also very
Calendula gel is also very good to use or the Aloe Vera gel. The Aloe Vera doesn't stain either, but, it is greasy. Just keep your skin moisturized with something.


Jan

Corinna11 said:

I'll say this, I had 3
I'll say this, I had 3 different onc's and they ALL sucked!! My surgeons were wonderful! The oncologists minimize everything and then if you have a symptom or side effect they didnt tell you about, they act all amazed like you are the only one who has ever had that side effect and you must be weird so you just stop mentioning them and suffer in silence.

I have gotten so much help from everyone here! Just nod your head at the dr and post here to get the real info that will help you. We have been through it so we wont make light of your concerns. Best wishes, you will make it too!!!

Cory

You are so right Cory. This
You are so right Cory. This site is a wealth of information. Thank you pink sisters!

Great tips here. One thing
Great tips here. One thing I wanted to add for newbies...not everyone has side effects from radiation. My effects were so minimal that they are hardly worth mentioning. First go-round in 1987, I had a mild sunburn. Second round in 2009, I had a little nausea. That was it!

CypressCynthia said:

Great tips here. One thing
Great tips here. One thing I wanted to add for newbies...not everyone has side effects from radiation. My effects were so minimal that they are hardly worth mentioning. First go-round in 1987, I had a mild sunburn. Second round in 2009, I had a little nausea. That was it!

Rads are different for
Rads are different for everyone as Ritzy said. Some have side effects, some don't. Some have old machines, some have new ones. It all is different.

I think this is a great post to give information from other's experience's that might possibly help someone just starting rads.

Kylez said:

Just a reminder for those
Just a reminder for those that finish to keep those creams on and still be careful with your skin. I used mine for a long time afterwords.

And, let your rads oncologist know right away any new problems you might get.

18 Treatments Down - 15 to Go!
Thank you pink ladies for all your great tips. So far, I've had no problems with radiation (except maybe a bit more tired at night).

I put Aveeno on immediately after rads (in the dressing room) and Aquaphor at night before bed. I do want to add to the comments that in the afternoon, I smooth on some gel (from my aloe vera plant). I just snip a piece of the plant the night before, put it in the frig and the gel is nice and cool (and very soothing) when I put it on.

There are fantastic people working at the radiology place I go to and my radiologist doctor is the BEST!

The days are really flying by and the best part is I have made friends with everyone at the radiologist group in the meantime.

18 Treatments DOWN; 15 TO GO!

Betsy

BetsyJane said:

Thank you for the tips
I just finished my 7th treatment.

Today my radiation doctor told me not to take Vitamin "E" or any other antioxidants during my radiation treatments. I told her I was taking liquid Resvinatrol which is loaded with antioxidents. I was told to stop taking this until my treatments were finished.

I am following many of your helpful tips....thank you pink sisters.

Twenty-six days and counting. Can't wait till I become a rad-grad :-)

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

Melaniedoingwell said:

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!!

Great post Ritzy!
I wish this had been around when I had rads. LOL There isn't much I can add as I think you've covered about everything.

I do want to say that after you are done with rads, your skin will clear up pretty quickly. I know it might not seem like it now, but, it will.


Good luck to all of you with rads! Ask all the questions you want as it looks like you've got some terrific pink sister help going on here.


♠♣ Love, Susie ♠♣

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.