I am starting rads tomorrow so I wondered if anyone else is starting about now?
I don’t know if I have been doing the right thing but I have been liberally applying Bio Oil every day to my scar and breast area to try to keep it well moisturised - before I start. I know from others on here that I probably won’t be able to use this after tomorrow.
They didn’t tell me anything at the planning appointment - said they would tell me everything when I go for the first time.
Good luck tomorrow. Hope the journey isn’t too tedious for you.
I never used oil but used the aqueous cream they gave me on the first day alone with all the other instructions. I’ve tried pure aloe vera gel since I’ve finished but it made me itch even more! Boob completely peeled since I 've finsihed and very painful, like breast pain before a period but constant. Everyone says that it should subside in a few weeks.
Hope to go back to work next week.
Remember to be kind to yourself and rest when your body says so.
Sorry to hear that your boob is painful - I had imagined that it might just be sore skin - but it sounds like it might be painful inside? I hope it gets better soon for you. Do you think it is wise to go back to work if it is still painful? Why not wait a week or two longer - and get fully fit. I think you should take your own advice!!!
I just want to get on with the treatment now - I’m sure the time will fly with all the travelling and before long it will all be done - yippeee!
I have my rads planning later this week, but not sure when I will start after that. I just had surgery at beg of July and have a small wound still not healed, so not sure if that will delay me. How many are you due to get? Wishing you all the best for it, keep us posted how its going. Take care,
I start rads tomorrow too - for 4 weeks how long is yours for?
I used bio-oil too and am swapping to aqueous cream. I hope it isn’t painful as my boob is still sore and bruised inside. I suppose it is different for different people.
Let me know how yours goes and I will do the same.
My surgery was 3rd July and my rads planning was 31 July. My wound had only just healed then - and was still v bruised but they thought it was fine. I am getting 15 blasts - but might have a couple of days off due to departmental move! Maybe you’ll find out your dates when you go for planning. How many are you having? I’ll let you know how it goes. All the best.
Looby
I started my rads last week have had 3 so far, been told to apply aqueous cream 2 x daily to breast area. So far have been ok .I have to have 16 blasts, 2 alternate days one week then 3 alternate blasts the next week. It only takes about 10 mins , i have to travel about 50 mins each way to get to Cheltenham , will be glad when it is all done. Am hoping to go on holiday after, we had to cancel one booked for march because of chemo, so i can’t wait , am going to visit my dad in Spain. The kids will love it too.
I start my rads next tues (19th) for 20 sessions, every day for 4 weeks with weekends off.
I had surgery in March then 6 sessions of chemo which ended 2 weeks ago. I had my planning done last friday and had my lovely (not) tattoos. I have got my aqueous cream in the fridge at the ready! I also have a fan to cool the area down too.
I am due to finish them on the 16th Sept and I go away to Ibiza on the 19th!
How long after your surgery is it until the rads, I was told last week that I need 3 weeks worth of it and am now waiting for a letter from Leeds hospital to let me know when, I HATE all this waiting around!!!
I will have to travel an hour there and back on the train, well at least I can go to Harvey Nics!!
When is it going to stop raining! Typical - off work and just rains all day long!!
Hi just finished 6 x FEC due to start Radio 2nd Sept four week Mon to friday I have hour trip eacg way hopeing to use hospital transport if I don’t find it too tiring as have ben told may very wel pick up several people wait for all of us to have treatment the several drops on way home so could be a long day if one of last to be dropedoff will see how it goes how tired do you get and how sore is it.
Sally
Hi girls
Just dropped into say I start rads on 2ndSept at Christie Hosp,Class myself as really lucky compared to alot of people on here,
Not had to have chemo or mast’y
Hope today went ok and that you were not waiting around too long.
I surprised that I’m sore from the inside, haven’t had that explained to me yet but seeing onc in 2 weeks. Skin soreness resolving but still not in bra yet. The rads folk hated me or any of us getting marked by anything.
The first 2 weeks of rads were ok and I thought it was a doddle but then the boob started to get hot in the evening and at night and the little hand fan was and still is bliss. Just keep the cream in the fridge and use it as prescribed. We are all different and react in different ways.
I want to go back to work as I’m fed up at self examination! My team will be very good and I will be office based for a while. I also have much holiday to take before I start my all important course in late Sept.
Jo (toffee)- glad to hear you won’t be in at the deep end with work! I must say I really appreciate being able to work reduced hours - and they are pretty much leaving it up to me how much I do. It must be very difficult if you have a job where it’s all or nothing.
Jo (cottoneyed!) - SNAP! - except for the number of treatments - how did it go for you today?
Sarah6 - glad you’re doing well so far - I haven’t heard of the alternate days regime before.
to all upcoming starters - good luck and keep posting to let us know how you’re doing and any tips.
Well, I had my first treatment today - like toffee, it seemed pretty benign at first (not a great choice of words I know!!) - but I’d better reserve judgement for later! I’m wearing a soft cotton bra but it will be off at the first signs of discomfort and noone at the hospital mentioned that I shouldn’t wear one … yet. Got my supply of cream today so will be slapping it on tonight. Also had to buy unperfumed shower gel (Simple) and no deo so good job you’re not within sniffing distance!
My journey is about an hour each way (thankfully not at peak times when it would be 1.5 hrs plus) and will be closer when they move hospitals over bank holiday. There seemed to be a bit of hanging around today (was there an hour) but hopefully will be quicker tomorrow.
My 1st day was OK - no waiting around - quick/efficient and friendly. Not too much poking and prodding and no pain yet (tho I ws told that as I am so fair - I will burn).
Aqueous cream in fridge and fan at the ready then. Don’t wear a bra often nowadays anyway so not probs there and mostly cotton tops.
Only problem was the torrential rain and hubby parking miles away from the rads unit - hope tomorrow is better in both respects.
Good luck to you all.I finished mine at end of June,would like to add though that my wound was not healed properly and had some packing in and my dosage was based around that,so it is possible
I started this month too and was looking for buddies - I have 25 sessions (which sounds quite scary). My skin is already feeling rather sensitive but am using the cream the hospital gave me. I can seriuosly see the square area that is being targeted.
Jo- yes the weather was atrocious here too - thankfully better today.
Guardianangel - how many sessions before your skin became sensitive. Mine is fine at the mo (only no 2!) but have had some prickly feelings inside the breast today. Can’t see anything yet - but suppose it is very early days.
I really don’t like being ‘niffy’ - anyone any tips - I suppose I could get some Simple wipes to freshen up with during the day?
finished my chemo on the 8th Aug, going on mon 18th for planning of rads… anything i should ask? Im having 15 rads… any ideas about working? I just want to get back to normal ( whatever that is!) I work in retail so am on my feet all day, although im assistant manager so can do paper work not sure brain up tp it just yet! sorry to fire so many questions at you all but i like to be prepared.
thanks ladies
JO
Looby - my skin started to feel sensitive after 2, but it is still not bad, merely sensitive. Am having my first check up with the Radiologist tomorrow to asses me and see if my skin etc is going ok - well, at least I think that’s what the meeting is for - anyway, it’s a standard appiontment.
Jo - I’m mot working but I think you should be fine - my mother worked as a teller through out her treatment - but remember, everyone reacts differently. as to questions you should ask, the only ones I can think of are;
how many rays? I have 3 as it depends on wear the cancer is.
Why only X amount of sessions? why not less or more?
Lung damage?
Lymphodema risk?
Creams for your skin - they should be able to give some to you.