Dusty don’t worry yourself too much as most of us don’t have any severe reaction to rads, I’m hopeless at applying any lotion as I hate the feel of it on my skin ? I used Aqueous cream at least once a day but as Helena says not just before treatment, I usually did it after my shower in the evening and I had nothing worse than a mild sunburn effect , I actually was sunbathing 3 weeks later with no problem at all Xx Jo
I feel bad posting this as everyone on this thread is so brilliantly cheerful and positive- but I’m feeling so low.
I’m sitting on my sofa unable to stop sobbing! I’m not sure why now - I’ve been so positive til now - and all through diagnosis and surgery (I avoided chemo as my Oncotype test said it wasn’t needed) but with starting rads tomorrow I’m just so fed up with this cancer journey. My Letrozole side effects are horrible (been on it 7 months now as they put me on it neoadjuvant last summer). Woke up this am with my hands so stiff it was painful to get dressed. I feel knackered all the time. I’m only 46. Yet I haven’t even been through the chemo most of you have, so I feel really weak for being tearful when you’re all so positive!
The thought of going into hospital every day for the next four weeks, and 9 1/2 more years of hands that don’t work and constant fatigue (on top of the other side effects) just makes me want to get off this bus. But we can’t, can we! And my lovely husband has just for a fortnight on a work trip which he couldn’t cancel. He cancelled all his work trips last autumn for me and couldn’t miss this one. So I feel really alone.
Sorry to lower the mood of the thread. ?
Hi Nat sorry your feeling down today. Though I’m sure all of us I’ve had those moments where we’re fed up with it. I know I have. I just wanted my life to be normal again. I’m 34, I have a job that I really enjoy. I have loads of hobbies that I had to give up whilst having treatment. I’ve got 2 years of zoladex injections and 10 years of tamoxifen to look forward to. Though now I am returning to normal. I’ve been back at work since the beginning of March and am returning to my hobbies. It’s like normal just a bit different to how it was before. Don’t beat yourself up for having there moments we’ve all had them. Take some time for yourself. Do something you enjoy even if it just going for a short walk.
I hope you manage to enjoy your day x
I start Rads in the morning and feel that I have in my usual anxious state built it up to be so much more scary than in reality it may be -
have good movement and can breath hold as it’s on the left- but the whole environment of the hospital in it’s self is so depressing which of course it will be as it is a cancer treatment centre and there are so many people less unlucky than me and I feel guilty.
as I have ME and am already tired after two surgeries and the numerous appointments we all have to go through I am a worried about the fatigue that so many describe and how this affect me as well as the side effects of the Rads.
i have my Aloe lotion and E45 and am prepared to drink the recommended 3Litres of water.
think after the first treatment I may not be so fearful.
hope all of the rest of you are doing well as expected x
Thank you all for your support
it’s so good not to feel so alone with this all
we are the only ones who have an understanding of how it feels even though we all have our experiences to deal with .
I can’t quite believe it but I’m ringing the bell today folks!! It’s been great to be part of this wonderful group of ladies… p.s. I’m not going anywhere ?? it’s great having your virtual support and continued advice ?
First one done today. Felt emotionally much better now it’s started. As you’ve all said, painless, although I’m sitting on the sofa with a rather hot boob! Also saw a physio today for my cording, which has relieved a lot of the pain under my armpit.
Only four weeks to go!
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Well done Bum on your last one!
It’s nice to get the first one under your belt Nat. All the others follow the same pattern so you know what to.expect.
Number 4 done for me today. Just 11 to go.
Morning ladies
I had a meeting with my Oncologist yesterday and found out that I will be having 3 weeks of radiotherapy as I was originally told back at diagnosis but an additional booster week has been sprung on me which targets the actual tumour site rather than the whole breast due to me being under the age of 50…Im 39. My Oncologist said it is common practice for younger ladies to have booster sessions. To be honest Im feeling a bit peed off as I feel the finishing line has slipped away again, I know its only by an additional week but still its like something else sprung on me at the last minute! My tumour was highly ER+ (score 8/8), grade 3, 16.5mm with excellwnt clearance margins and a small micromet (0.66mm) in the removed SLN.
I had my Planning meeting later today and because tumour was in the left breast, I too will be taught the breath holding technique. Am a little concerned after reading this thread that some ladies are having to hold their breath for up to 20 seconds and with a machine?? My Onologist said yesterday it would be for around 5-6 seconds! Maybe it is different for everyone?? My treatment is all at St James Hospital, Leeds.
I am only on day 12 of my final chemo cycle 6 so still really feeling the cumulative effects of all the chemo including the tiredness, fatigue, nausea, bad throat, digestive tract and bladder irritation and yet I was told rads due to start 23 April and my body still not feeling uo to it. I guess I will get definite dates ar the Planning meeting today. It just seems very soon and 2 other ladies on the same cycle dates as me dont have their Radiotherapy meeting until 16 April. Really dont understand sometimes how they work it all out!
Good luck to all those already on and about to start rads treatment ?
Hiya. I was the other way around was told 25 sessions but when I started it was just 15.
5th one done today so now a third of the way finished!
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Planning meeting today - it was all very simple and made so easy by the excellent nursing staff.
Thank you WhyteFawn for your support and advice today. Hope the next 2/3rds of the treatment go well for you
Feel much more reassured following the planning meeting today.
BizzyLizzy/Dusty
How did you find your first sessions?
Nat223
How did it go today?
My 1st of 15 sessions starts on Monday.
Good luck to everyone xxx
Just done number 2. All fine. Had a very hot boob last night and really vivid dreams - anything to do with radiotherapy (the dreams not the boob!).
Am also doing the breathing thing - it’s fine. They have broken the zaps up so I’m not holding my breath for more than. 10 seconds at a time. I could probably do the 20 seconds but it’s less stress knowing I don’t have to.
I’ve also had four boosters added because of my age but heh - it’s only another week. So 2 down and 17 to go…
Hi jencat
I had CT, tattoo and then chat with the Macmillan radiographer - advice and questions. Didn’t take more than 45 mins though
Xx
Hi Jencat.
On mine I had to lay on a bed which is the same as you lay on for rads. The nurses draw all over you and then do a CT scan. They’ll also give you your free nhs tattoos. After that I waited a few minutes then saw my onc who got me to sign a consent form and talked about side effects. I got a full list of all my appointments too.
Cassie x
Hi JenCat.
Yes, same as for me. And they took me through the gated breathing with a few practice runs so i felt comfortable with it. The radiographer also had a chat with me about what creams to use (answer - diporobase or aloe vera is their preference). I was out in about 45 mins.
Good luck! I was really wobbly before I went in, but the staff were lovely and made me feel really comfortable.
Once you get the first session under your belt it gets easier because you know what to expect.
Sending you all hugs
Helena xxx
Yeah its a bit disheartening Jencat when the finish line moves but I guess we are all getting nearer to the end ?
Had my planning meeting today and rads due to start 24th April, got the April dates only so far.
Also after speaking to Radiographer they said I would be looking at a 25 second breath hold but as I wasnt keen they have an alternative to protect the heart with use of lead lining materials so feel better about it.
Hardly noticed the tattoo dots being done but after chemo cannulas and endless blood tests they are nothing lol ?
6 down 9 to go. Into single figures. I go into town early with my MIL and SIL as they work close by and are going in anyway. It’s costing me a fortune going for a coffee every morning with my SIL before rads appointment. Fun tho!