CLOTHING DURING RADIATION TREATMENTS

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gumdrop
gumdrop Member Posts: 5
in Breast Cancer #1

I read online reviews from previous Radiation Patients for 2 full days... I took notes & their advice. I'm so thankful for those women's reviews. I experienced very little redness & I did very well through the whole event, start to finish.

(I also wrote on this site, under Breast Cancer topic, 'Creams & Lotions'... or did I write 'Creams & Oils'.)

 SO I BOUGHT ALL 'EXTREMELY SOFT & LOOSE' CLOTHING FOR 'RAD.' (Radiation) TREATMENTS!

BRA: I bought 2 soft, Front Closure, 'Glamorize' bras; 1 size larger & a 2 size larger. It was a good thing because of swelling. The nylon backing made my back really itch so I hand stitched a piece of  fabric over it. I stayed with the 2 size larger bra through this entire 2 surgeries (Hematoma) & radiation time. The fabric scrubbed up well.

Sometimes, my nipple area got real sore from treatments, I bought an extremely soft, & 'largest bra' I could find (back closure bra)... & I cut the 'cups off' it, & stuck one of them into the cup of the front closure bra that I was wearing... then I leaned forward & lowered my treated breast into the soft 'cut out cup' & then I pulled the cup of my front closure bra over that & hooked it up. Then I tucked the guaze between the extra cup piece & my front closure bra. It works great!

And I bought guaze fabric (any extremely 'soft' fabric will do) & I cut up 10"x12 inch squares. l needed 14 of them, 2 per day; 1 to put on right after applying oil/cream when I finish a daily rad. treament & I kept this cloth on for applying cream/oil at lunch time, & a 2nd clean gauze cloth to put on after putting more cream/oil for bedtime. The guaze cloths protected my clothing from the stains of oils/creams & allowed me to wear the same outfit everyday & not ruin more clothing (OR some women used real loose t-shirts, but I wouldnt want to keep washing it. I'd rather cut rags & only wash them on Wed's & Sundays, then purchase a bunch of tee-shirts & have to wash them daily). The guaze cloths had to cover my upper chest too, cuz I also had to rub on cream there... where it began to get dark pink colored. 

I clipped a hook to my bag for a 'hair tie' & yes that was very handy to have, it kept my hair out-of-the-way during treatment!

And I brought a case for my glasses & I left them in my tote bag, in the provided locker in the changing room... because during my rad. treatment... I had to lay on my face.

And I loved using a tote bag to carry all this in.

SO, as soon as my daily rad. treatment was done, I went into the changing room & I rubbed on my choice of cream/oil (Tamanu Oil) onto my breast (sometimes Eucerin Original Healing cream), then I laid a piece of guaze cloth over the oil it, then I pulled my front closure bra closed & hooked it up. Then I put on my super soft, dark colored 'Cami'. The I put on a very soft & lightweight shirt. Then I put on a soft & lightweight sweater (it's October).

I have 1 more 'BOOST' left to go. The Boost was 4 rad treatments to the incision area only, not the whole breast.

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  • Abk
    Abk Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2018 #2
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    a few things I bought

    Hi, there! I'm 3 years out but remember it all very clearly, lol. I bought myself two nice shirts a size larger than I usually wear, two very soft, comfortable cotton nightgowns and two sweaters with lots of "stuff" in front to cover up the fact that toward the end I didn't want to wear a bra for a few weeks, although I really usually need one, so this covered up "that" situation. When it was all over, I gave away the stuff because I didn't need a constant reminder of the whole process and maybe someone else would enjoy the barely-used clothing.

  • gourmetnurse
    gourmetnurse Member Posts: 1
    #3
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    Clothing during radiation

    I just completed 30 radiation treatments following a lumpectomy. I was a 34 B pre-op. Bras were not an option for me post op, based on my incision sites. I purchased multiple cotton tanks at Costco; I believe they were 3 for $10. Also, I purchased silicone nipple covers at Target (CVS has them, too.) and they stayed in place under the tank top. The tanks have held up great in the laundry, considering all the oils, gels, creams that I applied multiple times per day. It was quick and easy to pull off my loose fitting top, put the silicone covers in my bag, pull down the tank and get my gown on in under a minute! The tanks were soft during the tender nipple stage of treatment and also absorbent during my 24-7 hot flashes. Following the radiation treatment, I could pull my tank up, slip the protectors on, put my top on and be on my way.  I was always one of the last patients of the day, so my team loved my efficiency!

  • davies
    davies Member Posts: 1
    #4
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    Wear loose-fitting cotton

    Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and undergarments in the area being treated. Avoid tight clothing that will rub up against your skin, including underwire bras for women. Use only the moisturizers, creams, or lotions that you have discussed with your radiation oncologist or nurse.

    you can get more information and solution here:-

    https://healthedcare.wordpress.com/2019/02/05/types-of-breast-cancer

     

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