Lab Exam

  • Hi, my name is Ella. I’m one of the radiation technologists. I was in the other room after your first tx.

  • How are you? How are you feeling? How did the tx go

  • I just wanna confirm your full name and date of birth, please.

  • I see in the prescription that you’re here for x number of treatments. So, I will run down some of the recommendations for you as we move forward with the tx, lik skin care, and possible side effects, as well as answer any questions if you have any


  • for skin in area of tx:

  • for clothing, you can wear ones made of cotton. Preferably loose clothing, and avoid ones that are too tight. Bras can also be made of cotton, and avoid the ones with wires

  • can wash the area with lukewarm water with unscented soap with a neutral pH like dove, ivory, cetaphil. Make sure that there is no leftover soap residue on the skin, so wash thoroughyl. Pat dry and not rub

  • You wanna make sure to use hydrating and unscented creame in the area everyday, and up to 4 times a day. Aveeno, galaxal based creams, lubriderm or others recommended. by the department are good creams to use. However, its important to not put any prodcuts on your skin 4 hours prior to the tx. So, perfume, lotion, sun screan, deo and so on. If ever for some reason you forget, we’ll just have you wash it off

  • the radiation somewhat behaves like the sun. So, if youre prone to getting sun burned frequently, it gives a sign on how your skin will react to the radiation. not everyone reacts the same, but it’s good to be aware of this fact.

  • if you experrience any burning sensation or itchiness, you can use a lukewarm compress and apply it to the area, under the arm and breast for about 15 minutes, 4 times a day. It will help relieve the skin since it draws out the heat from the radiation, minimizing the side effects

  • When you go outdoors, its important to cover the area, and not expose it directly to the sun. Use sunscreen with spf 30 or more on the area

  • when its hot, you start to sweat as well. u can use a deodorant, but it has to be aluminum free

  • dont shave the area, go to pool, sauno, spa

medication: mepilex, Flamazine (cream), advil

Note stages of skin irritation:

  1. erythema: similar to sunburn, redness, irritation

  2. dry desquamation: platchy, flakey

  3. moist/wet desquamation: open wound, pus comes out, bleedin, raw

  4. necrosis: cell dead


  • Fatigue:

  • over the next few days, you might experience some fatigue, which is why it’s important to listne to your body. If you’re tired during the day, and want to take a nap, allow yourself to do so, but not 4 hours before your bedtime. get a good nights rest.

  • follow your routine. You can continue your regular activities. Y

  • eat a healthy and balanced meal and stay hydration. food is energy, so you want to replenish that. If you don’t have the stomach for it, smaller meals with a good amount of protein is good as well. Also avoid eating big meals before your bedtime

  • if you can’t fall asleep, and its been about 20-30 minutes, you can do calming activities like reading. and also other activities during the day that can destress: yoga, meditation

  • avoid blue light, caffeine before bed

Medication: melatonin, ativan

Reference: social worker, support group


  • Pain:

Arm pain: exercise sheet given post surgery

4 questions to ask:

  1. scale: pain scale from 1 (none) to 10 (excrutiating pain)

  2. quality: what kind of pain (stabbing, electric shock, burn, etc)

  3. nature: when/how often (morning, continuous)

  4. location: where in body

follow up on pain after the next tx

Medication: analsegic (tylenol if possible, dilaudid) vor anti-inflammatory: not advil


You will see the doctor once a week. So, we will be monitoring you, your skin for any changes, and if you have any concerns, you can voice them out

You can go get changed, and we’ll see you tomorrow