Treatment Starts
Thanks again
Scott
Comments
-
My radiation oncologist had
My radiation oncologist had me start using the creams before my treatment even started. I would suggest you start now. They also had me take up to 4 sitz baths a day, which just amount to sitting in a tub of lukewarm water for 10 minutes. All of this keeps your skin moisturized.
Good luck to you.0 -
Aquaphor
Scott, my MD said to start aquaphor the day I started treatment. It works as a skin barrier/protectant. It is important to wash off the creams using a mild soap like Ivory prior to radiation then put it back on as soon as you get home, some even put it on at the radiation center before leaving. Just remember that your skin is going to be very sensitive so beware of scratching or rubbing, pat the area with towel when drying after showering as opposed to wiping with the towel. I used a hairdryer with cool setting to blow dry my groin area and buttocks before radiation to make sure all was as dry as possible.
Since I did use the aquaphor from the beginning I cant speak to what it would have been like not using until later. It is very greasy but soothing. When I was at home I wore only large loose boxer shorts to allow my skin to breath, you also dont want the friction of tight clothing. I wore sweat pants to my treatments and MD appts. I bought some disposable underpads to put in chairs I sat in to avoid transferring the aquaphor to the furniture. At night I slept without underwear.
Nonscented, nonalcohol baby wipes are a must to clean with following a bowel movement, they are soothing, pat dont wipe, some are disposable , some not so make sure which type you get to avoid plumbing issues. Some people use water bottles to gently squirt area also.
I had some fierce itching it seemed like the week or so after each chemo. If you develope let MD know and ask for suggestions. I took benadryl at night and slept with soft cloths in my groin creases that seemed to help wick out excess moisture and decrease itching there. That area was the first to show slight burns and when the skin began to get sore and open the MD gave me silvadene cream which is awesome stuff, heals burns and has sulfa so aids in preventing infection. If you have sulfa allergy you may not be able to use it.
Just be very good to your skin right now and take it easy. You are on your way to getting this all done and over, just hang in there!
Randy0 -
Baby wipes...rds711 said:Aquaphor
Scott, my MD said to start aquaphor the day I started treatment. It works as a skin barrier/protectant. It is important to wash off the creams using a mild soap like Ivory prior to radiation then put it back on as soon as you get home, some even put it on at the radiation center before leaving. Just remember that your skin is going to be very sensitive so beware of scratching or rubbing, pat the area with towel when drying after showering as opposed to wiping with the towel. I used a hairdryer with cool setting to blow dry my groin area and buttocks before radiation to make sure all was as dry as possible.
Since I did use the aquaphor from the beginning I cant speak to what it would have been like not using until later. It is very greasy but soothing. When I was at home I wore only large loose boxer shorts to allow my skin to breath, you also dont want the friction of tight clothing. I wore sweat pants to my treatments and MD appts. I bought some disposable underpads to put in chairs I sat in to avoid transferring the aquaphor to the furniture. At night I slept without underwear.
Nonscented, nonalcohol baby wipes are a must to clean with following a bowel movement, they are soothing, pat dont wipe, some are disposable , some not so make sure which type you get to avoid plumbing issues. Some people use water bottles to gently squirt area also.
I had some fierce itching it seemed like the week or so after each chemo. If you develope let MD know and ask for suggestions. I took benadryl at night and slept with soft cloths in my groin creases that seemed to help wick out excess moisture and decrease itching there. That area was the first to show slight burns and when the skin began to get sore and open the MD gave me silvadene cream which is awesome stuff, heals burns and has sulfa so aids in preventing infection. If you have sulfa allergy you may not be able to use it.
Just be very good to your skin right now and take it easy. You are on your way to getting this all done and over, just hang in there!
Randy
Unscented wipes work great but another suggestion is "Viva" paper towels. I usually used a couple and got them wet with warm water, they are inexpensive, and strong enough to hold up without tearing when wet yet also soft. I am 1yr post treatment and still avoid T-paper if possible so always have some Viva on hand.0 -
Thankseihtak said:Baby wipes...
Unscented wipes work great but another suggestion is "Viva" paper towels. I usually used a couple and got them wet with warm water, they are inexpensive, and strong enough to hold up without tearing when wet yet also soft. I am 1yr post treatment and still avoid T-paper if possible so always have some Viva on hand.
Thanks to all for your help and support!!!
Scott0 -
Aquaphorbgman1022 said:Thanks
Thanks to all for your help and support!!!
Scott
Agreed. Start now and slather that stuff EVERYwhere 'down there.'
Just make sure it's completely off for radiation treatment. I also found A&D Ointment to work even better for me (the one withOUT zinc in the brown and yellow packaging) although it stunk. I interchanged the two quite often. Most of the time, I could care less if I smelled. But when I did care, I would always go with the Aquaphor.
And just to note, my doctor said "NO!" to any type of baby wipes or toilet paper and insisted that I used a peri-bottle with lukewarm water and blot completely dry with a paper towel after bowel movements and urinating. She also suggested that I have a sitz bath as much as possible, especially following a bowel movement and urinate in the water as much as possible to keep myself super clean. All of that served me well, although there were some days that I felt like I was a slave to that sitz bath! I also went naked from the waist down most of the time just to keep my bottom aired out. THAT was entertaining. I could clear a room in a matter of seconds.
Let us know how you are doing. It will all be behind you soon!
Blessings,
Angela0 -
Yeah for naked bottoms!Angela_K said:Aquaphor
Agreed. Start now and slather that stuff EVERYwhere 'down there.' Just make sure it's completely off for radiation treatment. I also found A&D Ointment to work even better for me (the one withOUT zinc in the brown and yellow packaging) although it stunk. I interchanged the two quite often. Most of the time, I could care less if I smelled. But when I did care, I would always go with the Aquaphor.
And just to note, my doctor said "NO!" to any type of baby wipes or toilet paper and insisted that I used a peri-bottle with lukewarm water and blot completely dry with a paper towel after bowel movements and urinating. She also suggested that I have a sitz bath as much as possible, especially following a bowel movement and urinate in the water as much as possible to keep myself super clean. All of that served me well, although there were some days that I felt like I was a slave to that sitz bath! I also went naked from the waist down most of the time just to keep my bottom aired out. THAT was entertaining. I could clear a room in a matter of seconds.
Let us know how you are doing. It will all be behind you soon!
Blessings,
Angela
When not bare bottomed I wore long cotton skirts....maybe sub a kilt? LOL!! Or BIG boxer shorts!
Best thing for me was the long hose my hubby put on a hand-held shower head to reach the potty! Had an on/off switch on head. Being from Texas he dubbed it the RED NECK BIDET! Awesome! Prayers heading your way, Lorie0 -
yea for naked bottomsLorikat said:Yeah for naked bottoms!
When not bare bottomed I wore long cotton skirts....maybe sub a kilt? LOL!! Or BIG boxer shorts!
Best thing for me was the long hose my hubby put on a hand-held shower head to reach the potty! Had an on/off switch on head. Being from Texas he dubbed it the RED NECK BIDET! Awesome! Prayers heading your way, Lorie
after using a squirt bottle and patting dry with soft shammy cloth, i used a small fan to blow air down there. would sit up in bed with fan between my legs. sephie0 -
Naked bottoms!sephie said:yea for naked bottoms
after using a squirt bottle and patting dry with soft shammy cloth, i used a small fan to blow air down there. would sit up in bed with fan between my legs. sephie
Oh yeah! I remember the fan trick! That's a really good hint! Lorie0 -
Great!!!!!Lorikat said:Yeah for naked bottoms!
When not bare bottomed I wore long cotton skirts....maybe sub a kilt? LOL!! Or BIG boxer shorts!
Best thing for me was the long hose my hubby put on a hand-held shower head to reach the potty! Had an on/off switch on head. Being from Texas he dubbed it the RED NECK BIDET! Awesome! Prayers heading your way, Lorie
You made my day with your response. I'm from SE Ohio so anything Red Neck works around here.
Thanks for the humor
Scott0 -
I was laid up in a hotel for 7 weeks . . .Lorikat said:Naked bottoms!
Oh yeah! I remember the fan trick! That's a really good hint! Lorie
so guess what I bent over? Yep, the hotel room fan. Doing all of that bending for extended periods of time kept my leg muscles toned! And I'm sure I flashed a poor soul or two since it was right under the big window in my room. Some days I just didn't care! I forgot all about that until just now. Those were the days. lol. 0 -
bgman
Yes i would use it now.And get you a sitz bath .Because you will need it .I used it after bowel movements or if i was really hurting i would fill it with warm water and just set in it .That helped me so much.Then i would dry just a little with something soft and blow day the rest of the way.Than put my cream on and i would fill so much better.I didnt go anywere without my cream.Shirley0 -
Let the HEALING BEGIN...Angela_K said:Aquaphor
Agreed. Start now and slather that stuff EVERYwhere 'down there.' Just make sure it's completely off for radiation treatment. I also found A&D Ointment to work even better for me (the one withOUT zinc in the brown and yellow packaging) although it stunk. I interchanged the two quite often. Most of the time, I could care less if I smelled. But when I did care, I would always go with the Aquaphor.
And just to note, my doctor said "NO!" to any type of baby wipes or toilet paper and insisted that I used a peri-bottle with lukewarm water and blot completely dry with a paper towel after bowel movements and urinating. She also suggested that I have a sitz bath as much as possible, especially following a bowel movement and urinate in the water as much as possible to keep myself super clean. All of that served me well, although there were some days that I felt like I was a slave to that sitz bath! I also went naked from the waist down most of the time just to keep my bottom aired out. THAT was entertaining. I could clear a room in a matter of seconds.
Let us know how you are doing. It will all be behind you soon!
Blessings,
Angela
Hey Angela,
First time to post. Because I am sure how this board works, you appear to be a pro at this anal cancer business so I picked you to address. I will read and appreciate comments from anyone who has "been there" and may have experienced something similar to me.
Today is my last day of radiation and chemo pills (Day 29)! I want to do all the right things to get this booty in gear so lay it on me. My concern is the area near my rectum "weeps" and I am concerned about the silvadine that seems to melt and not stay on long enough. Did you experience that? I have been instructed to you Domeboro to dry those sensitive areas before applying the white cream thus making the cream not slip off. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all,
Lisa
Diagnosed March 1, 2012 ~ Anal Cancer T2
Treatment March 26 - May 4, 2012
Mitomycin Infusion Day 1/Week 1 and Day 1/Week 5
Oral 5FU and Radiation 29 Days M-F0 -
Hi lowens--lowens said:Let the HEALING BEGIN...
Hey Angela,
First time to post. Because I am sure how this board works, you appear to be a pro at this anal cancer business so I picked you to address. I will read and appreciate comments from anyone who has "been there" and may have experienced something similar to me.
Today is my last day of radiation and chemo pills (Day 29)! I want to do all the right things to get this booty in gear so lay it on me. My concern is the area near my rectum "weeps" and I am concerned about the silvadine that seems to melt and not stay on long enough. Did you experience that? I have been instructed to you Domeboro to dry those sensitive areas before applying the white cream thus making the cream not slip off. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all,
Lisa
Diagnosed March 1, 2012 ~ Anal Cancer T2
Treatment March 26 - May 4, 2012
Mitomycin Infusion Day 1/Week 1 and Day 1/Week 5
Oral 5FU and Radiation 29 Days M-F
Congrats to you for finishing up your radiation today! I'm sorry you had to find us, but glad you are asking questions and gathering info. I, too, used the Silver Sulfadiazine and had to re-apply it frequently, due to all those trips to the bathroom! I never used the Domeboro, but many swear by it. I believe you can make a compress with it, which would seem very soothing to me. I hope you find that the seepage will only last a short time and no longer be an issue in the very near future. Your poor booty has been through a lot, so patience is key (although not always easy!). I wish you all the best with your recovery and hope you'll let us know how things are going for you.0 -
Sorry for lack of presence
You are in the tough part now and may not be looking in on us. I took a break at about this point of time in treatment as the going got really tough. But it is worth it. Trust me.
I smiled about the naked stuff and the fan. I had a fan close to my bed and just aimed it at my privates. It helped. I couldn't use the Silvadene due to Sulfa sensitivity. Thinking of you and sending up prayers for your continued healing. Hang in there.
Sandy0 -
Congratulations Lisa!lowens said:Let the HEALING BEGIN...
Hey Angela,
First time to post. Because I am sure how this board works, you appear to be a pro at this anal cancer business so I picked you to address. I will read and appreciate comments from anyone who has "been there" and may have experienced something similar to me.
Today is my last day of radiation and chemo pills (Day 29)! I want to do all the right things to get this booty in gear so lay it on me. My concern is the area near my rectum "weeps" and I am concerned about the silvadine that seems to melt and not stay on long enough. Did you experience that? I have been instructed to you Domeboro to dry those sensitive areas before applying the white cream thus making the cream not slip off. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you all,
Lisa
Diagnosed March 1, 2012 ~ Anal Cancer T2
Treatment March 26 - May 4, 2012
Mitomycin Infusion Day 1/Week 1 and Day 1/Week 5
Oral 5FU and Radiation 29 Days M-F
Hooray for finishing treatment! It is a huge milestone.
I finished almost 3 months ago and am doing really well. Hang in there and rest A LOT!
I send prayers for a speedy recovery!0
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