Radiotherapy club. Post your top tips for dealing with radiotherapy here please

Me too! 

I have been using E45 cream in morning and bio oil on scar at night. I was wondering if I should stop. The morning of the first radiotherapy session, is it a case of no cream at all? If you put cream on in the night, do you then not put it on in the mornings before you go? I am due to start on the 9th May.

I asked the registrar about R1 and R2 cream. She had never even heard of it.

Gay xxx

I assume that you've had your planning appointment? The day of my first session the radiographer went through the do's and don'ts and was very specific. The radiographer is the expert here.

If in doubt don't put anything on your skin without her say so. Whether you use night or morning the effects are the same.

They didn't tell me anything about skin prep, do's and don'ts, what if anything they would be giving me, at my planning appt. I'm even supposed to take my own gown. Told them I don't have one and the parking is costing me enough already so I won't be buying one.

GP had never heard of R1/R2 and wouldn't even consider looking for it for me. Which is odd as he's been so helpful with everything else.

Found a 500ml Aveeno in Boots for £5, so I snapped that up. Hope it works, otherwise I'll be off to H&B for aloe vera too!!

Where you you having treatment??  RT only lasted 15 minutes so didn't need a gown. Our hospital doesn't charge for parking during treatment ask before you start. 

If you do need a gown take a dressing gown, they really should be providing one.

I've worked out I can manage without a gown, made them provide a hospital one for set up appt. St Luke's in Guildford used to have free parking for oncology but not anymore. Capped at £4 per day with an onco permit. £4 is the minimum charge anyway. I will be getting a weekly permit for £15, so that works out to £3 per day. Still a lot of money.

Also have to fight through morning rush hour traffic, home to hospital is through one of the worst bottle necks in the area. So I will be sat there working while I wait, rather than riding the clutch for over an hour.....

Hi,

I wasn't told anything at my planning session. I just had the tattoos done. There was no discussion about anything. I did get given a hospital gown though!

Gay xxx

The R1 and R2 are specially formulated for radiotherapy burn and your GP can prescribe it all they have to do is Google it and order the six weeks supply.....I'm still using R2. Post radiotherapy 30th March......the reason that the rt staff gp bcn have not heard of it is because their bodies are not going through it I'm dammed sure if it was someone in their family they would know about it!!

I've actually got my mp involved and will be writing to the health minister post June election as it's a postcode lottery....the tunics should be standard especially when our femininity is already low and the velcrose tunics don't make you feel so naked in the room 

I will be asking in a new discussion just which hospitals issue them and the lady that's paying car parking that's awful 

For those ladies about to start its doable I worked every day and went pm but I would recommend am if you can (no queue ) 

Hugs and Rainbows Debs xxxxx 

Best of luck to all you lovely ladies who are about to start radiotherapy.

It's very important to have nothing on your skin at the time of treatment. This is because it can interfere with the radiation beam, particularly if there are metal particulates in the cream or soap you've used. The advice to me was to shower using Dove Ultra-sensitive soap and then nothing else till after radio. No deodorant on that side and no perfume either. 

As far as suitable creams go, I used R1 and R2 which were fabulous, but I understand they might not be available to everyone. You can buy it online, but it's a bit costly. That's what I did as it wasn't available in Australia at the time I was treated. There are a number of other suggestions on this thread and I also suggest you ask the radiology nurses. They should know lol.

One other tip I was given by the unit was to keep a bowl of salty water in the fridge. Then, if your chest is burning, dip a flannel in the cold water and hold that to your chest. It relieves the burning. 

Wear a loose comfortable top - cotton is best. If you can go without your bra afterwards then do so as the elastic can rub. If you're not comfortable going without then one suggestion I heard was to put a silk or soft cotton hanky on your boob and then the bra on top of that. 

And just a little warning - you might find you're quite tired after treatment so watch it if you're driving, or better still get a lift if you're having trouble. I used to go straight home (but only a 10 minute drive) and have a nap. I was fine after that but some people find it very fatiguing.

Hugs to everyone

Hi Toxophilite,

My radiotherapy at St Lukes Guildford is due to start at the end of this month and I've been sent through a free parking permit.

Saying, that just checked my paperwork and CT is at the end of May but rads don't start until 14th June - so now not happy as was hoping to have all this done by my birthday at the end of June.

Rush hour round there is a nightmare.

Tzxy xx

I would read that permit carefully - you still have to buy a ticket and display it with the permit. At least, that is what it says on mine. xx