Journey With Patina

This post may include affiliate links to help you find the products that I used while in radiation.

I know that you may feel completely overwhelmed. That is normal. That’s why I wrote this blog so that you don’t have to figure it all out.

Depending on your journey, your treatment plan will vary and so will your experience. I wanted to share a few things that helped me during radiation. Please seek medical advice as the information that I’m sharing based on what my physicians share with me that worked for my situation.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated is important to maintaining the elasticity in the breast tissue. Also, I found that I feel so much better when it’s warm outside and it helps with digestion.

2. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more.

Each oncology radiologist will tell provide you with a list of preferred lotions. My doctor suggested the following: Eucerin and CeraVa. She suggested Aquaphor for when my skin started to crack and peel. Please refer to your physician for what they recommend. These worked for me.

While in radiation for 25 days, I moisturized three to four times a day. I can’t stress the need to moisturize as often as possible. Immediately following my appointment, before dressing to go home I would moisture at the facility.

3. Wear comfortable loss fitting clothes

I work comfortably clothing to radiation. Wear something that you can easily get in and out of. Over time, your breast may become sore, red and tender. You want to be comfortable. Tell your doctor if you start to experience these symptoms.

4. Wear a Wireless Black Bra

You want to get a few wireless bras that zip up in the front are more comfortable. Preferably black.

Preferred Bras

Fruit of the Loom Women’s Front Close Sports Bra – Cotton Blend, Easy Fit & Built-Up Support

And

FLORATA Sports Bras for Women Zip Front Sports Bra Wireless Post-Surgery Bra

5. When going out in the sun, protect your skin.

As I shared earlier, hydration is extremely important. Not only for your skin but also for your internal organs. It will help you significantly when you are out and about in the sun. I wore hats and long sleeve linen shirts to protect my upper body from the sun. My treatment was in the summer, so linen worked for me. Remember, the radiation is burning your skin so it’s important to protect it from the sun. I was told to stay out of direct sunlight for a year.

6. Stay away from stress.

Find your comfortable place. A place where you can nap, read and or watch TV. Your body will tell you that you need to step away from life. Listen to it. Don’t feel the need to explain yourself to anyone, embrace it.

7. When you are tired, get up and walk.

My oncology radiologist suggested that when I feel tired, that I should get up and walk. It worked for me. I found that the more I moved, the less tired that I would become. Some days the push through was really difficult. Especially after 18/25 treatments. It became more difficult but I made it through.

8. Carve out time to rest and sleep.

Rest will look different for everyone. For me, I would move all day long. But after 5 or 6pm, I made is priority to sit down and watch TV to rest my body. This meant that I had to prep meals in advance to ensure that I was sitting by 6pm.

I found myself in the bed by 8pm and up by 6am. Yep, 10-12 hours of sleep and rest was how I was able to get through.

Remember, your body is healing from some traumatic experiences. I had chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. In addition to the physical, there is the mental aspect. People will expect you to be normal. Let them keep those expectations to themselves. Forgive them, because they don’t understand. And, it’s okay.

When you are ready, get out of the house as often as possible. It’s good for your mental health. All and all, take care of you first. Everything else can wait.

Be encouraged and know that I’m cheering for you.

Until next time,

𝒥ℴ𝓊𝓇𝓃ℯ𝓎 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒫𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝒶