Thoughts and Rambling Today

A Little Update About Products

I think it’s important to mention this right up front - I live in Florida, and it’s summer. That means 100° days with 100% humidity are just part of the deal. So anything that’s uncomfortable during treatment? Multiply that by ten. The heat and humidity have definitely made things more challenging, especially when it comes to skincare and staying fresh during radiation.

Deodorant

I know I’m not supposed to use deodorants or antiperspirants with aluminum during treatment, so I picked up a few alternatives to try.

Cornstarch - Just plain ol’ cornstarch. I actually like it for powdering my skin, but when it comes to odor? It doesn’t really help.

Tom’s of Maine (Lavender scent) - The scent is lovely, but it doesn’t do much for odor. It’s basically like putting perfume over a bad smell. It’s better than nothing, but not a real solution.

Arla Non-Metallic Deodorant - I also bought a product called Arla, which is specifically designed to be safe for cancer patients. It was developed by an oncologist and uses gentle, non-metallic ingredients. That all sounded great, but unfortunately, it did nothing to help with controlling odor - so I’m not too keen on it.

🏆 Native Deodorant - I think I found a winner! Native uses baking soda to help kill odor, and so far, it’s doing the trick. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well it works. It’s aluminum-free, so I can use it any time - even on treatment days.

Lotions

I’ve bought so many lotions, but I think I’ve finally narrowed it down to the two I like best.

Miaderm - I use this after my morning shower, about three hours before radiation. It’s super light and absorbs quickly, which I love. It doesn’t leave any residue and my skin feels great afterward.

Aquaphor - This is my go-to before bed. I apply a generous layer to lock in moisture overnight, and it keeps my skin soft and hydrated. I wear a soft bra to protect my sheets, then sleep in a comfy shirt or dress to help everything stay in place.

Trying (and Failing) to Explore

I still haven’t taken the time to check out any restaurants or places to grab a smoothie or a snack near the CSNF office. I keep meaning to find something to do after radiation, but I usually just want to get back home - so I hop in the car and head out. I did stop at the Walmart across the street once to grab a couple of things I needed, but that doesn’t really count as a fun outing!

Still Juggling It All

I also scheduled a stop at Quest for a blood draw on Friday the 8th. It’s for other doctors and has nothing to do with radiation. It’s weird having to keep up with everything else - appointments, labs, paperwork - when it already feels like radiation should be enough to deal with on its own. But life keeps rolling, and I guess I do too.