Hi I am currently on day four of five of targeted breast cancer radiotherapy

Going through breast cancer treatment Radiotherapy
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Hi I am currently on day four of five of targeted breast cancer radiotherapy. My surgeon at the time of surgery stated I would need six weeks off work. My oncologist has said that just to listen to my body. I have remained at work and still plan to as don’t feel any different and have my last session on Monday. I just thought I would reach out to see if anyone had been through this as I don’t have any effects yet, is that normal xx

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I think everyone is different. I had 20 sessions and worked throughout. I was weary toward the end but it didn’t impact on much. I just carried on really. Best wishes

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Hi, I had no effect from radiotherapy. I described it to my oncologist as a walk in the park compared to the other treatments my body has had to endure on my cancer journey. I seriously wandered if they had forgot to turn the machine on. However after several months post radiotherapy I noticed my breast was firmer, no change in skin colour. That is the only effect I noticed - one firmer boob.

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I had fatigue which hit about 3 days after my treatments finished and lasted about 9 days then came and went for the next few weeks . It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever experienced before - no amount of sleep relieved it and as I got better I could do things but sometimes I would just have to stop whilst in the middle of something and rest. It didn’t help that I had other problems and a recent shoulder injury at the time . I also had a very inflamed breast with a bit of swelling for about six months .

Aside from a bit of tiredness straight afterwards that responded to caffeine I was fine during the treatment. Some people get it further down the line others don’t get any. I was told that it reaches peak effect two weeks after treatment finishes .

If you feel ok then that’s good but if it does hit you ( hope it doesn’t )then you will need to listen to your body and rest . Hopefully you boss knows what’s going on with you having cancer and cancer treatments outs you under disabilities act and you are entitled to reasonable adjustments if you need them but not everyone does . Xx

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Thanks for your reply xx

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Wow sounds nothing at all like I was told by my surgeon, thanks for your reply x

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Thanks Joanne I will take that into consideration, I have never had fatigue before and work quite a lot so I assume if it hits me I will know x

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Hi, I had 10 sessions of radiotherapy and worked throughout. Although I did need more rest and after a few weeks noticed shortness of breath, which can happen with some patients. So as others have said, just listen to your body. Hope it goes well for you.

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You will know believe me but many people don’t get it and you could be one of those . Xx

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Hi. I got very pink from day one but was fine using the creams they provided. I actually started back at work (from home) on day one as had been off sick for 6 months due to 4 surgeries. I did get very tired but it was manageable.

K

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Hi mitch1. Its fantastic you feel fine during your radiotherapy. I was told it does not affect some people at all. I also had 5 sessions but got very tired half way through. I was wednesday, thursday and friday. Had a big rest over the weekend and was able to go for it on the monday again. Without being negative, some people have side effects a few weeks later. Listen to your body. Do what you are able to do and dont push yourself if you feel the effects. Hope your last session goes well x

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I had 5 sessions and about 2 weeks later came out with an itchy rash and a burn mark in the shape of an iron. This lasted about 3 weeks and I used plenty of moisturiser twice a day. I have suffered bouts of fatigue, but this is all.

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Hi
Excellent that you are feeling so well/ good :+1: :blush:

As others have said radiotherapy can lead to all manner of side effects so just go with it

Watch for fatigue as it can be cumulative and catch you along with brain fog and muscle aches

I used Epson Salts in baths to relax and ease my body after walking the hound and my cooked boob ( 2 weeks of daily radiotherapy last summer) went very tanned, brown nipple and arerole and lots of burning pink bits which cleared with medihoney and lashings of moisturiser)

Keep hydrated, moisturise every day and look after yourself

Good luck xx

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I had 5 sessions but didn’t work during it . I hit a wall a week after it finished .
I went back to my part time , office based job 4 weeks after radio finished .