Treatment preparation

Hi Jezter Welcome to the forum, although I'm sorry about your husbands diagnosis. My essentials were water wipes as toilet roll can be harsh once you get into treatment, also I wore mens baggy boxers. Plenty of moisturiser and start that now to get the skin as good as possible. Personally I didn't have one but a lot of people on here used sitz baths. With regards as which products to use, I would check with his medical team as different hospitals seem to ok different things. I used E45 to wash with and moisturise but changed to aveeno moisturiser as found the E45 didn't cut it. Towards the end of treatment I had a lot of mucous and used night time sanitary towels and the hospital provided me with essentially nappies to get to from in. Sending hugs. X

Hi Jezter ,

Another warm welcome to the MacMillan Online Community although I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s recent diagnosis. 

I suffered a bout of radiation cystitis quite early on in my treatment & was advised to wash with the QV cream provided by my radiology team & 8 years on I still only wash down there with aquamax cream as anything else sets off a reaction with my skin & it gets very irritated very quickly. I also used my own flannels & towels throughout my treatment. I also used water wipes instead of toilet paper throughout, these are readily available in the supermarket where the baby wipes are, if your husband is going to continue using toilet paper I’d try & get one with no perfume in it, I’m amazed how many toilet rolls are now perfumed, it’s another thing that sets off a skin reaction for me even now. I can’t think of anything else at the moment, I’m sure others will be along soon with some more ideas. 

Wishing your husband well with his treatment & remember we’re here to support you both however we can. 

Nicola 

Hello Jezter 

I am sorry that your husband's diagnosis has meant you have to visit here at all but you really have come to the right place - all of us have been through or are going through treatment and have lots of tips and coping strategies we can share.

You have already had some good advice, and I would just add that the treating team will check on your husband regularly and if he needs more creams and lotions, and most importantly pain relief to let them know.  They are normally very responsive and will prescribe something the same day.

The treatment is tough but doable and he should remember that not all the side effects come at once, normally not until about the third week.  It is good that you are getting him prepared, it will all help.

This is a very friendly forum and members are very supportive of anyone going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment so please come back and let us know how he is doing.  And look after yourself too!

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi, Jezter.

okay here we go.

i managed about 5 weeks before unable to sit down , and be in pain.

I had a Sitbath, so soothing.

i creamed everyday after radiotherapy , not before. Plus lots more in the night.

I used white cotton gloves off Amazon to apply creams , so soft and washable.

Tell the radiographers everything they are your link to the specialist nurses. I saw my Oncologist every 2 weeks during treatment.

Commando was essential after about 5 weeks , 

I had nerve ending pain killers , which really work well,, and Paracetamol and Morphine at the end of treatment.

Flamagel helped, there are 2 Strengths. Blue lid and Yellow as the radiotherapy took effect, really helped.

i needed a light residue diet. ( no fibre). I did not go out as advised and was never far from a loo.

A Fan really helped at night , and I used Puppy Pads on the bed  Drink loads of fluids I was on 3 litres a day. It does help.

I live on my own and had patient transport to get there, and my children picked me up after Radiotherapy, as it can be a long wait to get home.

I hope I have answered some questions for you.

Wishing you the very best of luck. Anne