Hi I’m due to start radiotherapy on 26th Feb I have been following the January thread which I found really helpful and thought I’d start one for February. It would be nice to share our experience with others going through at same time to give each other support. Please let me know if you would like to share xxx Tracy
Good luck to you and wishing you success with your treatment. How many sessions are you going for? I just finished 25. Xo
I am waiting for my dates but Chemo over now so should be starting within the next few weeks. Would love to be part of the group. Nothing like support from those going through it with you!
Hi liggy ,welcome to the BCC forums where I am sure you will find lots of support from your fellow users
Please also feel free to call our helpliners to talk through any concerns or queries, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Saturday 10-2 on 0808 800 6000, our team are on hand with practical and emotional support for you
Here’s a couple of links to the BCC radiotherapy information and further support ideas which you may find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/treating-breast-cancer/radiotherapy
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hollykins0212 congratulations on finishing your rads and 25 of them ! I am due to start on 26th Feb and I’m having 18 rads 15 +3 boosters. I’m having them done at Mount Vernon. How did you find having treatment ? Any tips you would recommend? Where did you have your rads? Xxx Tracy
Great to hear from you Liggy I finished my last chemo on 24th Jan so glad that part of treatment is over I was lucky and didn’t have too many side effects compared to some people. Where are you having your rads done? Do you know how many you are having yet? I have had my rads planning and had my tattoos done ready to start it wasn’t that bad just have a blue dot in middle of cleavage now lol. I’m glad you have come along to join me it will be good to share how we are doing and support each other through this part of our journey Xxx Tracy
Yeah me to with the fatigue! I went to London yesterday so wiped out today . I hope this improves soon as it’s hard being tired all the time. I’ve got the aloe Vera from holland and Barrett they also gave me aqueous cream to use I’ve also heard udder cream is supposed to be very good too! Also cabbage leaves ?? Think I’m going to stick with aloe Vera and aqueous cream and maybe give the cabbage a go if it starts to get hot lol xxx tracy
Thanks for the advise Beatrice sorry to hear your skin broke down they say it carries on working up to ten days after so we def need to be mindful of slapping on the cream before during and afterwards. Hope your skin is on the mend now xxx tracy
Hi, I’m a first time user of this site, so bear with me. I will be having session 15 today of 18, so I’m getting near the end - hurray! Feel like it’s taking over my life (especially as it’s half term this week and my youngest daughter is off school)! All has gone ok, but skin has become really itchy - been advised to start using 1% hdrocoitisoine cream by hospital which I’m now trying - hoping it’s not going to get much worse. Any advice on exposure to sun? Wanted to celebrate end of treatment with a family holiday in the sun, but am now worried I will have to stay completely covered in the sun. The area treated can now been seen as the skin is dark red and reaches up almost to my neck - will I have to wear high necks? Not what I was hoping for - thought I would be able to relax on a beach somewhere. Any advice?
Hi Nenny66 well done on getting on so well so far not long to go now! I was told I would have to avoid sun exposure after rads for about a year. This would mean having to cover up in the sun and to use a high factor 50 to that area. It might be a good idea to ask the radiographers the next time you go up to get their opinion. I was also hoping to get away and relax after treatment has finished so I’m looking to go somewhere not too hot and with places to visit as sun lounger is out for this year. With the itching did they mention about antihistamine as they stop itching as well? I’m glad you have joined this thread and you will be one of the early ones to finish as I start on 26th feb so you will be able to let us know more about it especially with the time after rads has finished as it is supposed to continue afterwards for about 10 days. Where are you having your rads done ? Xxx Tracy
Well Wednesday is fast approaching I’ve ordered some udder cream from a uk Moogoo stockist so it should be with me by Wednesday I’ve also got h&b aloe Vera gel as well so I’m hoping these will keep my se at bay. Is anyone else starting rads this week? Xxx Tracy
First day today all went well really quick only took about fifteen minutes but they said it will be even quicker after the first few days as they will have all the machine set up. Xxx Tracy
Hi there, I’m starting radiotherapy this month. Doing the usual 15 sessions plus 4 as a boost. Just wondered if anyone had any tips to pass on? Thanks Emma x
Hi, I’m a March starter of 4 weeks radiotherapy at the Churchill hospital, oxford. I’m 7 sessions in and the side effects are starting to kick in… I’m getting very tired, but you don’t know how much of that is due to the long journeys to hospital & back, my nipple is soo sore & tender, I’m starting to go red from my collarbone downwards and across under my armpit and I get funny twinges and stabbing pains, but from what I have read so far, these are all quite normal! Thankfully… But I don’t know if anyone else is experiencing nausea, I had a sleepless night last night & felt nauseous, maybe the tamoxifen SE ?
I def advise to keep up with the physio exercises as my shoulder is starting to ache a bit from lying in the unnatural position. And certainly if you get a bit shy of exposing yourself, forget it!!! I had 3 young men lining me up today!!! Oh & get used to being drawn on, I’ve never had so many blue marks on me lol…
Sorry for the ramble, I’m new to these forums & just realised how good it is to discuss /share with people who are going through the same thing.
Good luck to all going through this daily zapping 
Oh and I am trying Moogoo udder cream, recommended in Australia by oncologists apparently, time will tell.
Vicki
Hi Vicki, I’m due to start radiotherapy on Monday which is 19 sessions altogether. I’ve been told to apply E45 cream twice a day and used unperfumed soap, no shaving and no deoderant. They also said I shouldn’t wear underwired bras and my BCN said about loose fitting camisoles. Have you found it uncomfortable wearing bras etc? I also start Tamoxifen on 1st April and not looking forward to the side effects of that!
Emma
Hi Vicki, thanks for the advice. I’m hoping radiotherapy will be a walk in the park compared to the chemo but have fair skin so might end up getting a bit of a reaction. Hope your soreness goes soon.
I hope the side effects wear off for you with the Tamoxifen. My oncologist said that it can take a few months for your body to adjust and get used to it. I’m 35 and a bit worried about the menopausal symptoms it can give you but its better than the alternative!
Best of luck with the rest of your treatment!
Emma xx