These five things to know about radiation could help you or someone you know be more prepared for the journey than I was. I think I was more nervous about radiation than I was chemo. There is a lot of info out there about chemo and people pretty much know what to expect but radiation was a mystery to me. Check out my cancer support page for more info and tips on chemo.
1) Radiation does not hurt! Or at least not while you're having it done. Eventually your skin does become sore and pained like a sunburn but I was terrified that the beam would hurt and I was so scared. No one told me that the actual process doesn't hurt and you really don't feel anything.
2) Your "Planning Appointment" means x-rays and tats. The lingo here could be different with each doctor but after I went in to see my radiologist and talk about radiation and the benefits and all that good stuff she said we'll set up your planning appointment to get you started. I assumed (we all know what happens when you assume) this meant we would be meeting again to discuss how many treatments I would have and go over the actual process....no, this meant I was to have scans and x-rays and tattoos done and I showed up totally unprepared for that appointment. My radiologist felt bad and said she must not have been very clear, um....no. So a few anxiety pills later and I was ready to go.
3) Start your cream before you hurt, as in, after your first treatment. Your radiologist will give you a list of creams or lotions that can be used after radiation to nourish your skin. After the first few treatments you don't really notice a change but play things on the safe side and go ahead and start using your cream. Also use it after showers and another slathering before bed just because it can't hurt.
4) Stretching is important. I had breast cancer which meant lots of long scans and treatments with odd positions and stretching of my arms and chest after surgery, not the most comfortable thing ever. A few times I lost the feeling in my arm from lack of circulation. In all honesty it was probably half my fault and half inevitable. After my surgery they gave me a list of exercises and stretches I should have been doing during my healing time to help prepare me for the literal twists and turns coming with radiation, however, they didn't specify that it would benefit me when radiation time came to call. Needless to say I didn't do them like I should have and paid for it. So do your stretches, not only will you probably heal better, but you'll be more prepared for radiation. It's been about six months since my last surgery and I almost have my full range of motion back.
5) Ask about the new miracle gel Bionect!! There is a new medication that just came out to help soothe and heal the skin after radiation, so new in fact that insurance may not cover it. Towards the end of my treatment my skin got pretty bad off. It was a constant nagging pain and made sleeping difficult. I was using the creams and lotions that were recommended but they weren't working. I talked to my radiologist and she prescribed a gel for me, not the new one mentioned above but a different one, yeah, it didn't do a thing. I was working full time during this so I couldn't stay on pain medication to help so I went back to my radiologist with my complaint, that's when she told me about the new gel and it was about $100 because insurance didn't cover it, but trust me it worked miracles! Almost instantly the pain stopped and after a few applications it looked like my skin had started to heal even though I wasn't even done with my treatments yet. I wish I would have had the gel from the start so it's something I would recommend talking to your doctor about, and for me it was well worth the money! Check out the manufacturer's website to see if you can get a coupon or check to see if your doctor has one to help with the costs while the insurance companies decide if they are going to cover this miracle.
No comments:
Post a Comment