Ladies
I have started this thread for those of you who are starting your rads in January and the ladies who are continuing during the month. I am sure you will get loads of help and support from the ladies on here.
Helena xx
Right then lassies, let’s get this ball rolling!
I’m starting on 3rd January, 16 sessions. Any idea how the number of sessions is decided on?
Moisturising - at the planning session, the radiologist (or radiologist’s assistant, who knows?) suggested E45 cream or anything unfragranced. I looked at E45, it says on the tub that it has parafin in. I thought you had to avoid the creams with parafin in? Confusing.
On another of these monthly threads, one of the girls living in France recommended Avene Xeracalm cream. They also have a cream called Akerat for very dry skin and it says it can be used ‘with medicines’. I looked them up on the Boots website and, while not the cheapest, they look interesting. I might invest my points in one of them.
I had planned to ‘practise’ by moisturising with stuff I’ve already got in the weeks before I start but I’ve only done it twice. I’m rubbish at being a girl!
Willie x
Hi,
I start on 7th January, 15 sessions, nearly a year after I was told I couldn’t have it because I had it before, same side. I’ll just use the aqueous cream , the same as I did when I had it 13 years ago . It was a doddle then and I’m expecting no different this time. Only trouble I’ll have this time is holding the position. At the planning meeting they kept wanting to know if I was comfortable. I’m never comfortable due to extensive scarring and underarm cording but we found the least uncomfortable position.
I shall pop along from work to have it done and then go back now that I’ve changed all the times so as to not finish to get the train home in the rush hour.
Hi ladies, I start on 3rd January for 23 treatments. I’m just keeping an open mind about everything but any tips will be great. Only thing that I’m not looking forward to is the travelling as I live an hour from the hospital. Good luck to everyone xx
I looked up the Avene products on mysupermarket.co.uk, they’re all 25% off in Superdrug so a lot cheaper than Boots. However, the Superdrug shops I went to don;t stock them. So 25% off nothing is nothing! I ordered a tube of Biafine on Amazon last night (15.99 for 186g, pretty similar prices to the Avene stuff) and it’s due to arrive this morning. How do they do that??
I was also looking for some large gauze pads so that I could smother myself in (cheaper) moisturiser and leave it to soak in but I can’t find any big enough. I want something that wont soak up the cream, ideally. I’ll try the local chemist. Or maybe try a flannel?
I am joining you this month too. I have my planning meeting next week when I will have a CT scan and get my list of appointments(15).
Lokking for ward to getting this step done and dusted - though with 2 re-excisions I was beginning to think this stage would never come…
Hi ladies,
I’ll be joining you all too ??
I’m still waiting on my planning appointment coming through yet so will be a bit behind some of you but it should hopefully be in the next few weeks.
Haven’t really been told much apart from it will be 15 sessions. I’ve just finished chemo so need to wait to recover from that first. Going to order some biafine - thanks for the tip Linda & Jane.
Good luck for tomorrow Fiona
Lisa xx
I’ve had 9 out of 15 and all well so far. (Touching wood like mad!) I’ve been putting on E45 immediately after treatment and then Aveeno (bought from Tesco) before bed and sometimes in the afternoon as well. I’ve only worn a bra going into treatment and then braless for the rest of the day. I finish a week today which will be good. It’s been a long process this time as opposed to 30 years ago when I just had a mastectomy and nothing else until the reconstruction a year later.
Kathyx did you have another mastectomy?
Hi all new to this thread!
Finished chemo 20th December so still at the recovery stage, hopefully be starting radiotherapy end of January. Haven’t received anything from the hospital with regards to radio appointments?? How long does it normally take? Thanks bee ? xx
Linda corinne - no, I had a lumpectomy this time, with chemo and rads. Not an improvement, I feel.
Hi ya. I will be joining you this month. Had my planning apt today. Starting 17th Jan, consultant hasnt decided if im having 15 or 23 sessions yet. Radiographers said i cud use E45 cream so will use that i think?
Julie x
Thanks Jane, i think i will take your advice and get that cream you mentioned x
Hey ladies, thanks for posting your experiences. I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas time and New Year eve.
Could someone tell me what are the steps between the surgery (I had lumpectomy three weeks ago) and the beginning of radiotherapy, please?
I’m starting to feel anxious again after surgery since I don’t know what will happen next and my BC nurse doesn’t reply my emails anymore!
Thanks in advance and wish you a great weekend.
Carol xx
Hi ladies,
I’m in too. 1st of 15 sessions on the 15th.
Also signed up for a new phase III drug trial, which starts in a couple of weeks if I’m one of the chosen.
Best of wishes,
Sam xx
Hi Jane, thanks for your reply. I’m very happy that you’re getting well on radiotherapy. Hope it will be easy for me too 
I’ve got #6 of 19 sessions tomorrow, started on 27th but due to hols all been a bit stop start, this week will be my first full week.
I was given Betnovate steroid cream to use once a day and zerobase moisturiser to use twice a day by the radiology team, have been using it religiously and drinking lots of water too.
Minimal side effects so far, my boob tends to be a bit warm for a couple of hours after and my nipple is a wee bit sensitive (but it still was after surgery, they went in through my nipple to get the lump) and no fatigue as yet (just as well as I’m working throughout and have a 2 year old, have no time to be tired!)
Will be good to see how everyone gets on, especially when the advice re various creams etc is so different!
#6 today and I’ve developed a rash on the underside of my boob. It’s not sore or itchy, will ask the team about it tomorrow. Anyone have similar?
Hi Willie.
Apparently the number of sessions depends on your age. If you’re under 50 like me you get 5 weeks instead of 3!
I started on 27th Dec and apart from the hour long trek to the hospital so far so good. I’m using Diprobase and I asked the radiologist for some and she gave me a big tub of it. Don’t buy it. Get it prescribed. You should get free prescriptions anyway.
I exercise daily to ward off fatigue but I’m starting to feel it a bit these past two days. Not sure if it’s from the radiotherapy or post Christmas blues though! I do need to drink more water so I’m going to take the good advice on here and have a bottle of water on hand to drink throughout the day.
Good luck to you all ladies
Xxx
Morning all
I only had 3 weeks 1st time round when I was 42?
2 down so far. Shooting across to Guys from work then back again. The amount of waiting around is so annoying as is the cramp I get in my back when I lie on the bed. It takes me a few minutes to settle that down. Other than that it’s all good.