Hi 1980.
You’ll be fine.
Honestly, this is a walk in the park compared to everything else.
Yes, it’s daunting, it’s the not knowing what to expect syndrome.
Yes, like yourself, i too looked at pictures & videos.
Keep us posted how you get on.
Wishing you well. X
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Hi there
I am on a similar journey as you are. Had my CT scan last week and the 2-weeks radiotherapy will start in a couple of weeks.
The CT scan and tatooing took longer than expected as they wanted me to do breathing exercises a few times due to the fact that it is on my left breast.
I am too worried about the side effects whilst i am also starting tamoxifen at the same time. But, as others mentioned here, this is part of the journey we have to take whilst hoping for the best. Good luck. X
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Hi
Last year I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy plus 4 boosts and I can honestly say I didn’t have a problem right up until the last 2 when I got a bit of skin irritation but the radiographers sorted that that out with some cream in no time. It sounds scary and when you see these huge machines it looks scary but honestly it’s easy compared to other treatments. Listen to the radiographers. They are wonderful and they will keep you right. The only thing that I found tiring was having to travel to the hospital every day. And do keep moisturising your skin every day with whatever your preferred brand in, It does make a difference, Good luck. xxx
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Hi everyone in this thread
I am going to have RT once I have been given an oncology appointment. I still don’t have one yet 6.5 weeks after seeing the surgeon three weeks post surgery. I am so worried about the gap between surgery and additional treatment. Scary.
Anyway, does anyone in his thread know whether it is ok to drive after RT? I will have to get to a hospital some distance away, and my husband is fast running out of annual leave with all the appointments (for incidental findings as well as the BC).
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Karen x
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Hi Karen, like you, I was worried about the wait after my surgery for my radiotherapy treatment and in the end I contacted PALS by email and next day I got a call from the hospital with the CT appointment when I think I was given the schedule of radiotherapy sessions starting a week later. I had 5 daily sessions at the higher dose. I was nervous doing this but I was so stressed waiting I had to do something. There was no problem when I saw someone. As regards driving, I’m not sure but I’ll check my literature. The actual radiotherapy was fine, my hospital gave me 2 large tubes of cream and explained what to do, they were wonderful. My Very Best wishes to you, take care, from Joan xx
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Hi Karen, I have just checked on the MacMillan website and it says you may want to drive but you may become more fatigued as the days go by, I guess especially if it is for 3 weeks on the lower dose. They give a lot of info about radiotherapy but you may be best just waiting until you see the hospital staff. xxx
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Hi there. My RT was 3 months after my op. The oncologist said in his opinion anything up to 6 months was ok and that many women needed post surgery chemo so had no other choice. You are doing the right thing by chasing though as it is horrid having the waiting hanging over you. As for driving, I finished mine 2 weeks ago and I drove to and from my 1st two sessions no problem. My husband took me to the others but to be honest, other than moral support, I would have been completely fine to drive the other days (I live about 30 miles from hospital). Overall I have felt a ‘bit’ tired but honestly it wasn’t as bad as I initially feared. Hope you get your dates soon. Xxx
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I approached PALS 7 wks after my surgery. I saw the Consultant radiologist within a week then further appt for the CT scan the following week. My surgery was on 6 June 2022 and the radiotherapy started week commencing 15 August 2022. I doubt I’ll ever forget the dates especially as our wedding anniversary was on 18th August and the wonderful staff encouraged me to have a glass or two of wine that evening!! If you need anything else as you go forward please don’t hesitate to msg me, I am happy to help as it is such an awful time. Take care xx
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Ps the MacMillan website suggests between 4 to 6 weeks for radiotherapy to start after surgery, that’s why I contacted PALS as I was stressed out. xx
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Hi all…jumping in here - I had my surgery 4.5 weeks ago and my results appointment is still 1.5 weeks away. My tumour is then going to USA for oncotype dx so i will wait 3 more weeks and then wait for my radiotherapy to start. It could be almost 3 months post surgery by then!! Reading the last few posts, I’m now panicking that my rads should start much sooner than this. What is PALS? X
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PALS is Patient Advice and Liaison Service, I believe they are in all areas in England. I mentioned it to Karen as she may want to consider their help and advice. I think you will know better what the plans are for you when you get the results in 1.5 wks time and you can raise any concerns then, whether they need to have the results of the oncotype dx first I do not know as my cancer was triple negative. The waiting is awful. I wish you all the best xx
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I drove myself to and from all my radiotherapy appointments and on my own. I asked about it as soon as I was diagnosed as I can get horrendously travel sick if someone else drives . My treatments were in Spring 2022 and there were still some lockdown restrictions in place , we were not encouraged to bring anyone with us - almost everyone was on their own and the staff never asked how I was getting there and back. I was a bit tired after the treatments but everyday had a treat - a coffee and a bit of cake at the coffee shop and after that I was fine to drive home and for the rest of the day. The reception staff gave me a printout of my appointments which I had to wave at the security staff at the carpark exit who would then raise the barrier so that I could leave without having to pay. Initially I was worried I wouldn’t get a parking space but always did. Two friends had Hospital transport - one was taken by a taxi driver , another in an ambulance . Another friend stayed in a hotel fairly nearby with her partner . If I had been going to the same centre as her I might have done the same as it would have been a good 90 mins each way but because I’m on a medical trial I was sent to a hospital which was further away but I was able to stay with family and it was only 40 mins each way.
I got my radiotherapy / appointment fairly quickly after surgery but my friend waited longer as did another friend who had bowel cancer .
Hope you hear something soon xx
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I am so sorry you are having to wait so long for results. I was initially told 6 to 8 weeks for RT post surgery but I didn’t heal brilliantly and had to delay. Ended up being 12 weeks. As mentioned above though, my oncologist’s view was anything up to 6 months was ok as if you had post-op chemo then it often isn’t possible to do it that much sooner than that though. A 6 week wait does seem way too long post surgery though. Just not fair to your mental health either if nothing else! Xx
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Thanks @JL22
I have contacted PALS. The nurse had received my message quite quickly and apologised, but said there was nothing she could do to speed things up.
Yes, @blue80 my mental health is shot to pieces, despite doing all the things I’m supposed to do to try to keep sane: running, yoga, mindfulness, dancing, and seeing friends. But this is relentless (along with the other investigations into the incidental findings) and I’m losing it completely.
Thanks for the driving advice @JoanneN. Good to know 
I can find out for myself sooner rather than later.
Sending love to all my caring BC friends on here. I don’t know what I’d do without this support.
Karen x
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Hi
I was diagnosed with a very rare form of triple negative breast cancer last October via routine mammogram (not felt by me or doctor as deep in the breast). The Apocrine TNBC is slow growing and not aggressive like its relative thankfully. I had local wide excision surgery in mid November to remove what was thankfully a small tumour that had not spread to the lymphatic system - phew! That’s when the ‘fun’ started. Should I have chemo or not - that was the uncertainty from medics and research as this form of cancer is so rare. I had further tests on the tumour Ki-67 and androgen to help determine what to do. Still no definitive advice from NHS specialist so I paid to get 2nd opinion from The Royal Marsden. Definitive NO to chemo but yes to radiotherapy. By now it is early Jan and 8 weeks post surgery. I then had to wait until this week to start radiotherapy so some 13 weeks after surgery. I was a little apprehensive but it was all good so far - only two treatments as yet. The staff are brilliant and reassuring. As for moisturiser, I use a couple of hours before and then after treatment and at night. It’s early days but so far so good. Like you though I was concerned about the long wait for RT but am reassured on that point. Also my philosophy is to be very positive and at no point have I ever let this thing get the better of me. Positivity about outcome and your body’s ability to heal itself is really important as is eating well and keeping your immune system strong. Wishing you well and be strong and positive. 
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Hi there,
Honestly in my own experience I found my 4 weeks of radio fine. Tired yes but as long as you drink plenty of water and moisturise twice daily or as directed by your team, wear comfortable fitting underwear ( soft sports vest tops ) you will crack it.
If you can try to practice holding your breath before the actual treatment starts and start timing yourself of upto 30 second breath holds then I would say that’s the worse of it. If you can’t hold your breath for that long then from memory you have to tell them and the machine anyway will cut out.
It is honestly over in a flash but it is so important to drink a good 2 ltrs of water per day plus cream yourself and allow it to soak in and dry before dressing.
Let us know how you get on.
Sarah
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Have you explored hospital transport? I don’t have a car and was stuck during the railstrike. It was towards the end of my treatment and so standing on very long, crowded bus journeys was not an option.
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I am so sorry to hear PALS were unable to speed things up. The whole process of waiting for results, appointments and indeed sat waiting at clinics is an absolute nightmare, the stress wears you out completely, you somehow get through it. You could maybe see your GP about your mental health. I live in North East England and I visited the Maggies Centre, such a warm, welcoming, uplifting place where you can meet others if you want to or just sit peacefully with a cuppa. They have experienced nurses, therapists etc who helped me greatly. xx
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