My radiation oncologist said that I should use only pure aloe gel on my skin to help with potential irritations. Yesterday he told me the name of a store that was close by where I could by it, so Mark and I went there. It is Chamberlain's Natural Foods. What an amazing store! It's similar to the Laurel Health Food store that Mark frequented.
I bought three products: aloe vera glycerine soap, tea tree oil mild body wash/shampoo, and pure aloe vera gel. The gel is amusing because it was not in the lotion section; it was in the FOOD section. It's to EAT! Yes, shocking. It says it is good for digestive health. Hm...I do NOT plan to eat this.
I got home and immediately opened it up. It has no scent and no color. I put a glob in my hand and it reminded me of gefilte fish jelly! Fortunately is has no scent! I rubbed it on my armpit and all over my breast. It was cold and weird, but it was absorbed almost immediately and I did not feel like I had applied anything at all in about a minute. Very weird. The doctor said to keep the area moisturized, but it really didn't feel smooth and silky like after a moisturizing cream. I hope it's helpful in the long run. It is definitely a better smell than the turpentine scent of the pure tea tree oil.
I also asked the technician yesterday what percentage of his patients who have breast radiation does he see with skin irritations. He said 75%. That's a huge number, virtually a sure thing. He said I would be most likely to get it under my arm by treatment number 20. There are going to be 28 treatments to the whole breast and the armpit, and then the last 5 are just to the tumor site. He said during the final 5, my armpit area will probably heal up quickly once it stops receiving radiation. I hadn't even considered that the skin under my arm might get affected. I was thinking it would be on the breast itself. Well, it all remains to be seen, but I'll be sure to apply another healthy glop of aloe gel on there this afternoon when I get home.
I didn't realize that 75% of BC radiation patients get skin irritation. I guess I was one of the fortunate ones that didn't get it. I hope that aloe vera gel is helpful for you. I have heard some very good things about it. I don't ever think I'll try and eat aloe vera gel
ReplyDeleteeither. It doesn't sound very tasty. Have a good weekend break from radiation.
I don't know if it's true that 75% of BC radiation patients get skin irritations in general, but it's apparently true in this tech's practice. Maybe I'll be in the other 25%.
ReplyDeleteHi Becky! What a week you've been having! I thought mine was bad. I HATE dealing with insurance and medical billing - and I've had a lot of it. What I really love is when they say they won't cover me because I have a chronic condition - like it's my fault. I hope you will get no more surprise fees and can concentrate on healing. I really hope the aloe vera gel works. I have a cousin in Naples, FL who makes her own beautiful soaps - I will ask her if they are pure aloe vera. If so, I will have her send you some. Take care. Good Shabbas!
ReplyDeleteHi Nadine,
ReplyDeleteThat soap sounds fabulous! I liked the feel of the aloe glycerine soap I bought. I wish these things had a nice scent, but I understand that my skin shouldn't have any other chemicals on them right now. I'm not allowed to use deodorant on the left side, but I can put pure cornstarch on it if I want. I have tried both the gel and the liquid, both make me feel a little sticky. They are weird, but I guess I'm just trusting the doctor to tell me the right thing. He said keep the skin moist, but the aloe doesn't seem to do that, at least on the outside but I'm hoping inside the skin it is getting moistened.
I can't imagine having to deal with the insurance companies the way you have had to all your life. They make it so hard, which I'm starting to believe they do on purpose. There are people who just pay their bills without question, assuming everything is right. I happen to know some of these people personally, and so do you but I'm not naming names. I always question. Sadly, I have not liked the answers I got this time, except for that radiologist who shouldn't have to charge the $240 after all. Anyway, I have decided to bite the bullet and pay everything to these people. Clearly they are not changing their billing procedures or coding for the insurance so I have to pay the co pays. I do like the personnel here very much and the location, so I decided that was more important than the $20 a day co pay.
Have a good Shabbat yourself! Maybe you and Dick will come for a visit someday. There is just one little step, half the height of most normal steps, to get in the house and then completely flat! There's also lots of maneuverability for your chair. Ever wanted to see Disney World? Come on down!