Article: The Radiation Experience: What I Learned, What to Expect, and How to Prepare
The Radiation Experience: What I Learned, What to Expect, and How to Prepare
After chemo, I quickly learned radiation would be a different kind of beast. The lasers, the whole process, it built a strength in me I didn’t even know I had. And thankfully, that strength came early on, pushing me through faster than I imagined.
For me, radiation was the last stop on this wild treatment ride. By then, I was numb to it all. Exhausted. Over it. Ready to turn the page. Maybe for you, radiation is the first step, the entry ticket on this crazy train to recovery. Either way, my hope in sharing this is that you don’t feel like you’re walking in alone, and most of all, without a plan.
Because when I found out I’d need radiation, I was completely lost. Sure, there was information out there, but it was vague, outdated, buried, and honestly not relatable. That’s why I’m writing this: for you, and for the version of me who just wanted someone to break it down straight.
Each morning, I’d wake up at 5:30am to beat LA traffic and get to my early appointments. Same song and dance, over and over again. And every morning, as I lay there listening to the world’s worst playlist (they never let me change it), I kept repeating to myself: “A year from now, this won’t matter.” That mantra got me through the long mornings, the awkward positions, and the vulnerability of being on display.
I also promised myself this: if my skin was going to be part of this battle, I would take care of it like never before. And that promise became my lifeline.
THE REALITY NO ONE REALLY TALKS ABOUT
Radiation is not just physical, it is emotional too. Here’s what no one really prepares you for:
The vulnerability
This was the most exposing part of the entire treatment. Day after day, I allowed strangers to position me like a mannequin and was promptly told not to move.
The permanent marks
It was here that I got my first tattoos. Not the kind you pick out of a laminated book, or a cute symbol of deep meaning, but three tiny blue-green dots at my heart center. They marked me for the machines but left me with something permanent: three little freckles I’ll carry forever.
The reminder
Those dots became a daily reminder of what it took to make it here, to write this for you, and to remind myself that my body carried me through.
MY ROUTINE
Here’s what worked for me every single day:
Morning right after treatment: Add a light layer of Miaderm before getting dressed.
Midday: Apply a healthy amount of Rejuvaskin cream when your skin starts to feel tight. And by healthy, I mean slather it on like frosting and let your skin do its thing by absorbing it.
Evening: Layer Miaderm, then Rejuvaskin, and top it off with Aquaphor to protect and lock in that beautiful moisture.
Showers: I cleansed gently with Cetaphil or Aveeno Oatmeal Soap. The key is to avoid anything that might dry out your skin or cause irritation. Keep it soft, simple, and hydrating.
Avoid scratching or itching: Or coming in contact with anything that may cause irritation or break the skin. As bad as that sounds, trust me: avoid it at all costs. Your skin is fragile and working overtime to heal, so treat it like gold.
My motto: Slather and chill. Apply a thick layer and let it soak into your skin.
Hydrate: If I didn’t have my Rejuvaskin on me, I had my water bottle. Hydration does more than help your skin, it helps your whole body recover.
Dress soft: Avoid tight or itchy clothes. The idea is to feel comfortable and avoid anything rubbing against your precious skin. Think loose cotton. I never did this myself, but I’ve heard of people flipping their shirts inside out to avoid seams causing irritation.
Cooling ritual: I rotated between Lindi Skin Hydro-Gel Pads and a Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad soaked in ice water. Both instantly took the heat out and gave my soul a little sigh of relief.
Movement: I made it a point to keep walking every day. It wasn’t about fitness, it was about normalcy. I had always been a walker before my diagnosis, and keeping that little piece of “old me” alive gave me so much comfort. Gentle stretching also helped keep my body from feeling too stiff. I kept it chill, but I know others who actually hit the gym during rads. My advice: listen to your body. It will tell you when to dial it up or when it’s time to rest.
Rest: Nap when you need to. There’s no badge of honor for powering through.
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THE EMOTIONAL SIDE
Radiation also collided with the holidays for me. All I wanted was a Christmas back home in Seattle. So even though my treatments were smack in the middle of December, I flew home Christmas Eve, spent the day with my family in a rare Seattle snowstorm, and came back the very next day. It felt like a gift, one last burst of normal in the middle of chaos.
And then came the finale: ringing the bell. My last day of radiation felt like I had run 286 marathons back-to-back. That’s literally how many days my entire treatment from chemo to surgery to recovery to starting and completing radiation took. Walking away, I knew I was changed forever, but I also knew this wasn’t the end. Next came true healing.
TRIED AND TRUES FROM OTHERS
While my routine worked for me, I’ve also learned about other suggestions and little rituals that have helped people get through radiation. Consider these tried and true tips from others who have walked in your shoes:
MY REMINDER TO YOU
Radiation takes so much out of you. Climbing back onto that table every single day requires an incredible amount of mental strength. But if you’re in it right now, hear me: you will get through this. Your skin will heal, your body will bounce back, and this chapter will end.
When it does, I hope you celebrate in whatever way lights you up. Book that trip. Go to the concert. Quit that job you hate. Start the family you’ve been dreaming about. Or simply soak up time with the people you love most.
Because this is just a chapter. It won’t last forever. And the life waiting for you on the other side will shine brighter than you can imagine.