Hi ladies. Thought I would start a thread for us who have recently finished active treatment and rang that radiotherapy bell. We are all told that the treatment will continue to work for 10-14 days after final treatment. I am sure like myself we have all had different things happening to us so thought maybe we could share and help each other and hopefully help those nearing the finish line.
Ok I will start with a few of my changes. Stabbing pain like hot iron only for seconds but buy it makes you jump, grab hold of boob syndrome kicks in. Itching, maybe a good sign of everything healing as it should. Emotions, well these are like the anxiety gremlins we all had back in the early days that just appeared from nowhere and into melt down we would go. Can be fine for days then just cry for no reason at all. Is this normal? I am sure it is we have been through a lot in a short space of time and it is still very early days. I am now 7 weeks post rads and physically I am great mentally almost great but not quite there just yet. Would be lovely to hear how others are getting on. I know there is a moving forward thread but it’s not so busy as this thread. Look forward to hearing from us amazing ladies. X
Gill3105. Brilliant idea to put down how we are all doing and hopefully give some reassurance to those who follow.
Almost a week since I finished rads. Skin not so bad two little blisters that bleed every time I shower but the rest are still intact and not so painful. I kept a close eye on my back as suggested by you, and, yes sure enough that’s going very pink just under my shoulder blade so making sure I cream that as well.
I have been drinking loads of water but I can’t believe how tired I am. It hits me about 1.30 2.00pm. I feel like I’m about to fall over I’m so tired. By about 6.00 pm I’m feeling much better.
Snap on the stabbing pains can be quite painful on occasions but it does pass quite quickly. I suffer with migraine occasionally but i have had a few bad ones in the past week not sure if this is due to the tiredness or the Letrozole.
Totally agree on the emotions front silly things start me off and before I know it I’m back to a sobbing wreck then I feel guilty because I’m here I’m getting treatment I’m still alive. My daughter said I will soon be feeling myself again but I told her I don’t think I will ever be myself as I was before this. Do others feel this way? I feel like I’m being dramatic but can’t help it.
On a positive note I am making sure that I go out walking and have discovered some lovely walks along the banks of the River Mersey some days its just a short walk but I’m finding I am really enjoying being outside and it’s definitely having a calming effect on me mentally so no matter how tired I’m feeling I am making the effort to get out.
Hope some of this might give reassurance to others that some of their symptoms and emotions are normal. Like Gill would love to hear how others are doing. Lots of love Chris x
Hi Chris. 2:00 is my tired patch also. Go for a walk as soon as feel it coming on. Was in the office on Tuesday and just got up said I’m off for a walk to wake up. Walked down the road and back and was fine. Trouble is as daft as it sounds it’s only my eyes that are tired not my body lol. Same as you with daughter saying we will be back to normal soon but think this thing has took something from me that isn’t coming back but not sure what it is. Will give a big shout when it comes back. I do sometimes think maybe those close to us don’t fully understand and don’t expect them to really as without going through this nobody would know what it does to us. But we are warriors and strong and we have got here. Big cheers to us all. Looking forward to hopefully reading how others are doing as does help and just reading your comments has helped me already in realising I am not an emotional wreck at all it’s all part of it. Have a good evening.
Hi ladies - I finished rads on 7th August - had the bonus package, have 15 and get 5 boosters free!!
I feel very lucky to have had minimal problems - definitely got a ‘vanilla boob’ and a ‘strawberry boob’ now, but only real issues have been dry skin areas that look like tide marks where I haven’t washed!! My nip was quite dry, but with the continued moisturising, it seemed to sort itself out . . . . I find if I don’t put my glasses on, I can hardly see much difference, lol !! My shoulder/back seem to be fine - but as I am pretty much on the exactly 2 weeks since finishing, I am hoping there isn’t a hiccup waiting to get me. Oh yes, the ‘stab in the boob’ feeling from time to time - can’t exactly rub it better in public though. Passes quickly.
I did find it all in all an okay experience, as I was under UCLH, and everywhere is very bright and modern and welcoming, the staff excellent, and the R/T rooms even had different musics and low lighting and sometimes the light-changing coloured lights kicked in. Depends who was working on the day.
I hope everyone continues onwards and upwards to better brighter days now - and for all new ladies coming along, I wish you a calm and easy time of it. And thanks again Gill for your advice at the time.
I finished on 15th with everyone’s expectations that ‘that’s it then, you’ve done it’- I I passed through sessions with no issues and now have itching and pinkness but nothing more- yet.
I feel it was a surreal experience, nobody asks how I am because I’m fine-!
What an odd experience I’ve been through and continue to go through. I’m so pleased to read about others in a similar position to me.
Xx
Hello my lovely friends xxx Been a bit quiet on the forum front this week as it was my first full week back at work.
My life was I knackered by yesterday evening!!!
My body wants to hit sleep mood at about 1 to 2:30 and although I could easily have a siesta i fight it. (Although the thought of an afternoon nap really appeals but not professional when at work!!!)
Now 7 weeks since the end of treatment and everything has pretty much settled down. I still have a very faint pink patch on my chest where the rad field ended and the non zapped skin meet and it get slightly itchy and warm if I get hot. But I carry a tube of moisturiser in my handbag and dap on some of that to calm any flare ups.
Im really impressed with the way my wounds have healed, i keep meaning to up the use of Bio oil but my scares have more or less gone. Thankfully the scare from my node removal gets hidden in a convenient bit of under arm fat ???
Im keeping an eye on any side effects from the Tamoxifen as I’ve been on the for 3 months now and touch wood, the only thing I can think of is a hot flush to the middle of my chest a few times a day but thats not every day. Plus Im using it as an excuse as to why I can’t lose weight!!!
Im back at the hospital in about another 3 weeks and I think that that is when they sign me off?? I might give my BCN a bell just to confirm what its all about.
I know there is never an ideal time for all this rubbish to hit, but Ive got to admit that it was well planned with it all coinciding with a lovely summer rather then a dark and gloomy winter.
Every cloud!!!
Much love xxxxx
AnnieA, I hear ya!! I was called in to my boss’ office yesterday (felt like a school kid all over again being sent to the headmistress) and actually considered that she was going to ask me how i was. But no, she just talked about a company restructure. But even when she or my line manager ask how I am, its not in the way of “Seriously, how are you, are you coping, can we do anything to help” its more of the causal “How are you?” -meaning for me to give the shortest answer possible.
Hey ho.
I have a job where Im out and about most of the time so as long as they leave me alone I’ll do my own managing of how I feel.
???
Hello ladies looking for a bit of advice. Most of my skin is still doing well but oh dear my poor nipple is so sore and cracked. Itching like mad. Have been slapping the cream on every couple of hours but wondered if anyone has any suggestions. I don’t feel it warrants bothering the Rads team yet and with it being a bank holiday I am not sure that anyone will be there anyway. Any suggestions welcome. Hope everyone is well x Chris
Mcnulcc Chris…sorry to hear about ur skin probs omg nothing worse. Ive had one if those polyprem dressings on mine its helped a bit. When i was at rads a lady came in who had finnished rads the week before with split skin and the rads nurse told her to ring her bcn at hospital she was under. I think they may be someone in duty there so try give them a call. Also i read about special rad cream ur gp can prescribe. What a nitemare for you though on a bank holiday to. If all else fails u can get those polyprem dressings in amazon next day delivery. Hope you soon get it sorted…love and hugs xxxxx
Hi Chris. Sorry about your nipple but know exactly what you mean. Mine was more itchy than sore and thankfully didn’t break down. Also same with bothering the rads team. Please don’t worry about bothering them it’s what they want you to do. My skin broke down under the boob and advice was no cream at all for a few days and to let it dry a little. It worked almost overnight for me once I stopped with the cream. Hope this helps but give them a quick ring on Tuesday as I would imagine they will be waiting for your call!
Hi Chris, I’ve posted about my nip in other threads, so apologies to anyone who’s read my take on it already!!!
Scroll on if you have ???
My skin did great, no issues at all but my nip didn’t fair so well. It was very itchy and swollen and so so sore to touch. It was almost like a blister around it and although there was no blood or skin breakdown, it was a pretty sight.
Never forget the look of horror on my boyfriends face when i gave him a flash ?
I went to Boots and got a tube of Lanolin cream “Lansinoh” tiny little purple tube and a box of breast pads. After using it for a week my skin dried out and once the scab feel off it was lovely new skin underneath. Sorry for the graphics!! Boob and nip now fully recovered but i have more or less a full box of breast pads…
??
Meant *It wasn’t a pretty sight*!!
Morning all. Well almost 8 weeks on now and feeling ok. All se,s have now settled other than slight discomfort near snb scar and nipple. Trouble is I keep prodding and poking and checking just in case which I suppose isn’t helping. Might give bcn a quick mail see what she says. Don’t you just hate wasting their time with something that you know is fine and all part of the healing process . Maybe re assurance is what is needed. Also note to others with big boobs “don’t run lol”. Ran out from the rain on Friday and ouch pretty painful just like after the op when sat in the car and went over a pebble!! I suppose I have to accept that my boob nerves are still very much settling down. Am I trying to run before I can walk? This new norm is taking some getting used to. Have a good Sunday all and hope all going well for you.
Thank you helana your an angel. It is all about over doing it I think as you say the aches and pains kick in and this is me. Busy dressmaking today as it’s raining. Little ones bridesmaid dresses. Exciting and it’s quite chilling also so I am relaxing in a fashion!! Thank you again for your kind and always re assuring words.
Lilacmoon - Thank you for replying I knew I had seen a post about sore nipple but could not find it Been to Boots and got cream and nipple pads hopefully I will get some relief…
Also thought I would share today’s experience and hopefully make you smile
Took my grandsons to a lego event at the exhibition centre in Liverpool earlier today. Part of the exhibition is a model of the new cancer hospital they are hoping to build funded by selling lego bricks for £1.00 each. So we bought some bricks and the boys are adding them to the model,I turn around and who is standing next to me but one of the radiographers who had been treating me up to last week. Hi he said and then gave me a massive bear hug. How are you doing.you look really well. I’m great I say. Can’t really stand surrounded by kids and say “actually my nipple is on fire and I’m knackered.” Anyway my husband shakes him by the hand and says in a really loud voice thank you for looking after my wife although im suprised you recognised her with her clothes on. We did get a couple of strange looks from the people standing nearby!!
Brilliant Chris. Love it. Off out with my two grand daughters tomorrow, special times with nana and grandad. They are also on sleep count down to a sleep over next weekend with the promised bike ride ?. And midnight feast (at 8:00) lol. What happens at nana,s stays at nana,s Can’t wait happy and crazy times.
Love the Lego story Chris, brilliant.
Everyone seems to be being busy, and I’m starting to feel a bit inadequate!! I do my walking in the park virtually every day, feeding the wildlife, getting recognised by crows and moorhens, lol. We have a jackdaw who comes to our window sill in kitchen for 3 years now, since he was a scrawny youngster, with legs he had to grow into. Quite amazing that he still turns up for some mealworms and a few croissant crumbs!!
Around here, it seems to have become a popular things for youngsters to decorate/paint/find pebbles, and leave them part-hidden in the parks and other places for others to find, photo, and then maybe leave somewhere else - so I’ve found myself a lovely smooth large pebble, and I’m giving a lot of thought to this first effort - my sister is the artist of the family and leaves some fab ones around, but mine are going to be a bit more basic lol. It’s piddling down in London . . .
Gill. I have really missed having the grandsons stay over while I have been having treatment. We have alway had them staying at least once a week since they were really little my daughter has one little boy age 6 and my son has 3 boys 9,7 and 18 months old. The boys think I have had an operation on my shoulder and that’s why they haven’t been able to stay but I’m really hoping that they will be able to stay in the next few weeks. Like you say what goes on at nana and grandads is our secret. We have fab movie nights with popcorn or play monopoly and stay up till at least 8.30!!. But mum and dad don’t know that!. Enjoy your midnight feast when it happens. Happy time’s ahead xx
Hi I am new to the forum
I rang the bell at the end of July i wished i joined alot earlier looking back now i see what i was feeling was what everyone one else was going through.
Thank you
Hello Zippet
I finished rads on Friday last, been fairly ok, - but today I felt dreadfully weak in the arm and shoulder, with a really sore area of skin on upper chest (with lots of little bumps, you know how it’s like when you’ve had a bit too much sun? - sometimes they turn to small blisters) and emotionally low…You mentioned you got similarly hit by sore skin, weakness and low mood 13 days after treatment end? ? - I was told the worst should peak round about now, 3 or 4 days after, and then gradually improve, so here’s hoping it will…
Anyone else had their arm and hand feeling weak, - I can’t use left hand to turn taps on or anything lately ! Just not sure if it isn’t down to Lympho, which I have unfortunately developed, although it’s mild at present…
Yuck.
Thistle xx