Hope everyone’s doing well. I’ve had 2 RT sessions so far and 13 more to go. It’s taking a bit longer each time than I thought (about half an hour) as I’m having a sort of gel sheet applied all over the left breast area which is the side of my mastectomy (think it’s called a bolus). It had to be cut to size and shape the first time and is is re-applied for each session. The idea is that it mimics breast tissue and prevents the radiation rays going too deep into the body (I think).
Anyway, I had 20 felt tip dots all around chest area yesterday and spent ages removing them when I got home. Today, when I arrived, the radiologist said “I see you’ve done a good job of removing the felt tip”. Yes, and it took me ages!! She said “Well, I’m just going to put them back again. . She said it helps if she can still see some of them as it takes less time to position gel sheet again. Oops! Just thought I’d mention it in case anyone else has this. These are in addition to the tattoos.
On a good note, no adverse effects - yet! Breath holding is challenging but I’m managing. If you do have to stop to take another breath the machine pauses. Travelling back and forth is tiring as it’s a 40 mile round trip. Looking forward to a whole two days off at the weekend. x
Yes, they draw on you each session. I didn’t try to scrub pen marks iff each time.
I did ask why they had to tickle with the pen while practicing breath holding each session x
Wishing you lots of luck with your radiotherapy, hopefully not tiring after such a long trip to get there, get lots of rest, drink, plenty of water and take one day at a time at the moment.
I’m on day 11 and finding the Flamigel really good! Going to ask for more as so far just redness. Am having surface guided radiation so no tattoos. So far everyone finding it easier than chemo?
Only downside is it’s such glorious weather I want to go swimming but of course we can’t! Hang in there everyone x
Glad you’re doing well. I’ve just had No 7 of 15 today. No skin reactions yet but I was told today that if I get any stinging or redness I should tell them as they have something they can give me that will help. Think that’s probably Flamigel. I’ve just been moisturising three times a day with Cetaphil so far.
There is a bell that some people ring when they’ve finished and other patients and staff cheer and clap. Don’t know if I want to do that. Hmm! Will see how I feel at the end. x
I have just finished 15 radios. I chose not to ring the bel as I suspect there are people there who might never ring the bell. I just brought the staff strawberry tarts
Just had my 1st of 4 boosts after having had 15 other fractions. Got a call to cancel my session tomorrow and do it next Monday instead of finishing on Friday as planned, due to machine breakage. Unfortunately for them, I went a tad mental at that idea and said I’d be dropping the last one next week in that case.
Sometimes, you don’t realise how emotionally on the edge you are until someone pushes you over. I actually do mean it, there’s something about hanging in to the end of long treatment, (especially now its getting less comfortable) knowing on a certain day it will be done. Being told that no, it could go into the following week, was a surprisingly abhorrent notion to me.
They seem to prefer to backtrack rather than have me not turn up, will have to see.
. She said it helps if she can still see some of them as it takes less time to position gel sheet again. Oops! Just thought I’d mention it in case anyone else has this. These are in addition to the tattoos.
