Overachieving Rad Girl -- would appreciate advice from Rad Graduates!

sgamtd said:

Hi Traci
I am taking a chance here repsonding to your post as I know my avatar "scares" you, lol, but insomnia hit me tonite again, so here goes. BTW I had my last rad treatment today. YEAH, YEAH
First remember all rad teams, docs are diff. in what they allow you to use, and also how many hours before the appointment of the day you can apply lotions. I could apply 3 to 4 hrs before the treament.
I was only allowed pure aloe vera, and was told I could apply it as often as needed, of course, being a bit of an overachiever patient myself I asked 2 times 3 times 4 or what ? We settled on 3 times a day. Usually in the am after my shower, then after radiation and before bedtime worked for me. I have a small fan in the bathroom and it worked great to dry my skin thoroughly without touching or rubbing it, and as time goes by you want to touch your radiated skin as little as possible. Now if I was allowed cornstarch and that seems like a good idea as I bet it removes any moisture especially under the breast,I would apply that, then wait a few minutes, brush your teeth, hair whatever to pass the wait, then I would get a dry soft wash cloth and gentle touch the cornstarched area to remove any residue of cornstarch until it feels real smooth. The I would apply the lotion, "udder"ly smooth is quite a cool name I think. Sounds soothing. I am not familiar with either of those products, and wouldnt know if you use them both at the same time, I would think not, but someone else can maybe help here who used those 2 brands, I would think one or the other depending on their specific purpose, maybe one is for cooling the area and the other for soothing effect.
Good luck to you traci, I got thru 33 treatments without any major skin breakdown as of yet, was told I would be "cooking" for another 2 weeks though. Skin feels like leather, not smoothe as of yet, I was told I could use whatever lotions, potions I liked now that I was done with rads, and if it stung, don't use it again, heehee. I am looking for some udderly smooth tomorrow, just besause the name cracks me up and I gotta try it.
Best of luck traci,
sgamtd

cindycflynn said:

Traci
I'm no help in answering your questions, but I wanted to thank you for posting them. I meet with my Rads doctor for the first time on Tuesday, so I will be sure to ask all these questions when/before I start. And thanks to all who responded with their own experiences. It really helps to hear from those who have been in the trenches before I have to dive in myself.

Hope all goes well with you in your treatment. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

Take care,
Cindy

TraciInLA said:

Sexy Saturday night here
Thank you, all, for your advice and input.

Especially you, SG -- I don't know how you manage to type so well with just your beak! Seriously, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing rads -- I can't wait till I join you!

Nurse Junnie said most of her patients use the Udderly Smooth during the day, since it's a lotion that soaks in pretty well, and the Aquaphor at night, since it's so greasy and gloppy. So I've been experimenting today -- yes, I've basically spent the day rubbing my own breasts, which isn't nearly as sexy as it sounds....:-o

I used the Udderly Smooth this morning after my shower, let it soak in for a few minutes, then dusted myself with cornstarch before putting on my bra -- that worked well. Now I'm sitting here marinating in Aquaphor, and discovering that it soaks through a t-shirt. Whoever said cancer treatment wasn't sexy? :-)

BTW, SG, the Udderly Smooth was a little disconcerting at first -- no joke, the FIRST words on the back of the tube are "Developed for use on dairy cows." Again -- sexy, no?

Traci

sgamtd said:

Traci
That was what cracked me up when I read the word udderly smooth, I thought of cows and udders right away, lol, I have milked a few cows in my time. Now I read it is actually for cows how funny is that ?? ROFL
sgamtd

Wolfi said:

Bag Balm - off topic
Speaking of Udderly Smooth...there is a heavy petroleum jelly type thing called Bag Balm (again made for use on cows). I'm not saying Bag Balm should be used for radiation, BUT it IS good if you have really dry hands or feet in the winter. I buy mine at Walgreens in the lotion isle. It is in a square, green tin.

It doesn't smell the greatest, but it really does a good job softening dry skin. I put it on my feet before bed and then put big cotton socks on to sleep in. By the morning my feet aren't dry - just be careful in the shower - slippery. This can also be put on your hands before bed and then put socks on your hands to sleep in (usually requires help from someone else).

chenheart said:

You mentioned about
You mentioned about showering...here is a BIG helpful hint for you! Your skin will get a cumulative burn, even if you don't see it, your skin will absolutely be affected. You need to treat it with extra TLC~ and this is how I did just that during my radiation therapy. Get yourself the softest natural sponge you can find, and use an unscented body wash; I used, and still use Aveeno , as it is both unscented and made with colloidal oatmeal which is very soothing. NEVER rub your radiated side in the shower!Saturate the natural sponge with plenty of wataer, add the Aveeno and make bubbles~ squeeze it gently over the radiated side, never letting the sponge touch your skin. The softer the sponge the "squishier" it will be and more water/Aveeno receptive. Pat yourself dry and then goop on the lotion of choice!

Your skin may also get itchy as the rads progress~ if so, ask your Dr for a Prescription for hydrocortisone cream, the OTC varieties are not strong enough to relieve the itch.

Hugs,
C♥