@Florence_87 i hope you are feeling better today. X
Hi everyone! Hope you’re all coping as best you can with radiotherapy. I was diagnosed with triple positive bc in April, had neo adjuvant chemo which was really gruelling, lumpectomy in October and now 5 sessions of radiotherapy, which I started on 3/1/23. Had 3 sessions so far, another one this afternoon and finish tomorrow morning followed by a review. I also started Kadcyla on Nov 24th which will be for 14 cycles, 3 weeks apart. Also started on Letrozole and Zoladex before that and am having a lot of hot flushes, sometimes feel quite down but that could be the situation, trying to recover from chemo, not being able to return to work as yet and my children returning to uni and living alone for the first time. It’s hard to tell with being on so many different types of treatment at the same time So far, I’m finding the radiotherapy okay (everything is comparative to chemo🤦♀️) , fatigue, discomfort and tenderness similar to a week or two after surgery and a strange symptom of blurry vision when reading. I was due another round of Kadcyla after radiotherapy today but I thought that was too much so have pushed that back till Wednesday. Think the Oncologists forget we are human at the end of the day!
Finding the breath hold okay. Hold it for 50 secs twice in the session, the rest of the time the holds seem to be around 10-20 secs. Sounds difficult but actually when you’re doing it, it’s fine, you have a camera on a phone in front of you and you just take your breath and move the bottom line to the line higher up. I also know if I can’t manage it for each blast, the machine switches off straight away, which is a comfort, takes off the pressure a bit.
Good luck to everyone, we are all doing so amazingly.xx
4 Likes
That is such a lot to have to deal with, I’m in awe just reading what you have been through. Breath holding for 50 seconds is magnificent - I can only manage 25 at a push but thankfully this got me through the CT scan! I’m sorry you sometimes feel down, it’s hard going through so much. Kids off to uni is mega, been through that before BC and it’s so hard! so to deal with it on top of everything else must be very difficult. I hope you have a good friend to help you through. Good luck with the final two sessions of radio, hope they go smoothly xx
1 Like
Hi @Nellby73
Wow only one more radiotherapy to go. How have you got on with your skin?
If you’re triple positive are you on Herceptin/Phesgo as well?
I’ve been there with two children off to university it was bad enough without cancer going on and crying at the drop of a hat. I even cried at the GP today as I couldn’t think or say what I wanted to say and I became emotional with frustration. Like cancer you get to find your new normal. My children are 26 and 28, so it was a while ago. We always arranged a specific day and time to call and catch up. Depending how far they are, we would visit monthly or six weekly and take them out for a meal and top up their food.
I start my radiotherapy on Wednesday🥰
Hi. Thanks for your support @copperycat and @naughty_boob. Back from the radiotherapy session at Preston -I’m amazed I’m able to do the hour’s round trip there, the most I’ve driven since before chemo. The radiotherapy is proving okay so far. Everything is comparable to chemo I guess. How many sessions are you having @copperycat and @naughty_boob? My skin is a holding up well so far, just a little pink and sore at times. I’m moisturising 2-3 times a day with Moogoo Udder Cream which seems to be doing the trick. My vision is affected though which I will mention at the review after my last session tomorrow.
Yes, my son was already at Oxford Uni and my daughter and I had planned to move south (I’m separated from my husband, happened before all of this) ahead of her starting at Oxford Brookes. I found the lump 3 days before my 50th birthday in March, and away we went on this crazy path of treatment, which meant I had to stay up here and say goodbye to both the children in Sept/Oct. They both looked after me all Summer during the awful rounds of chemo but it was v tough to try and start to get back some strength ahead of the lumpectomy in October with them away. and learn to live alone. I want this for both of them though and I’m feeling I could cope with a house sale and move now, to join them as we’d all planned a while ago, before all of this started.
What did me in was being HER2+ as that meant a totally different path involving chemo first, Phesgo for 8 rounds and now Kadcyla for 14 cycles because despite a really good response to chemo, there was still 0.9cm of disease left when they did the lumpectomy. I was lucky it wasn’t in my nodes though so can’t complain. So, 5 sessions of radiotherapy, the hormone therapy for 5 years, and Kadcyla until the end of August. An oophorectomy has also been planned for the end of this month, but I’ve asked for a bit of a breather to give myself chance to catch up and do due diligence on the pros and cons of that surgery. I’m on Zoladex to suppress my ovaries in the meantime anyway. The Kadcyla is more than tolerable though, nothing compared to chemo so far, just means I still can’t mix much or go on a foreign holiday due to my immunity and blood levels being affected. Also haven’t been able to return to work as yet either because of fatigue.
The chemo fog is awful and I have cried on more than one occasion with the frustration of not being able to find a word or finish a sentence, and the constant forgetfulness. I used to be so sharp but hopefully it will return over the next year. Hope you’re doing okay @naughty_boob, it is hard with chemo and its after effects.
Good luck with your sessions starting soon. It’s more than manageable compared to chemo and will be another part of the treatment plans ticked off. Hugs.xx
3 Likes
Sorry to hear that you were diagnosed just before your birthday and it prevented your plans to move. I don’t think moving house at any time is good, I sold the family home last September, nearly 2 years after my mother died. Nothing with the house sale was easy, I paid extra for the estate agent’s to accompany the viewings as i live 100 miles away. They booked them at around the same time but them we had a lot of cancellations, so I’m not convinced they were very accommodating.
I hope when you do decide you have a better agent. I can understand you wanting to move closer to your children at university, mone haven’t returned home since they left. One went to Keele, returned home for a year to work then went to Swansea while the other was in their final year at the same university. They are both still in Swansea 70 miles away.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets frustrated with the chemo brain/fog. As you are HER+ there is a group with others with the same diagnosis if you are interested in joining HER2+ and need some buddies - #39 by naughty_boob Link for anyone else with same diagnosis aswell, as the HER+ treatment goes on for a while.
Hope the rest of your treatment goes well.
Hi Romabe99
Just wanted to say hope all goes well for your final Radiotherapy session tomorrow and I wish you all the best going forward!!
Xx
1 Like
Thank you! It’s not until 3.50, whereas all the others have been morning, I’m in a bit of a quandary, as I feel fine (at the moment) … do I go back to work? Maybe Monday? I realise fatigue may have kicked in by then.
Hope you’re ok too xxxxxx
1 Like
Hi romabe99
Mine have all been between 4-5 pm so I’m used to the ‘waiting all day’ ha ha. I’m pleased it’s the last one one but I’m definitely a little scared that I won’t know until the next mammogram if everything is ok and the cancer has gone
I’m 64 and retired so it’s easy for me to be able to rest, but I’d say that it’s a good idea to give yourself time to absorb it all and begin healing. The whole process (from the first mammogram to now), has been such a rollercoaster of emotions appointments tests operation etc etc and I’m only just realising what it’s really all been about I think. My brave face, is not quite as strong right now as I feel a little vulnerable. I’m sure the fatigue will also be kicking in soon and I’m unsure how that will affect me (I have Multiple Sclerosis and it’s been a long haul so far although the staff throughout my treatment plan have been wonderful!!).
But hey…… we’ve (almost), finished the treatment yea!!!
Well done to everyone on this path, we didn’t choose it, but we’re doing the best we can so…. Go for it!!! Xx
2 Likes
Hi @Nellby73 I am having 5 rounds starting on 22 Jan. This is the last stage of my treatment, which began on 30 Aug with a mastectomy on one side and reduction on the other. Then had 4 rounds of Docetaxel starting in Oct and just finished a couple of weeks ago. I’m waiting for results of an MRI scan I had on my back on 28 Dec. Fingers crossed its nothing to worry about. Not sure what to do about going back to work. I’m self employed and work from home but I am going to allow myself a few weeks recovery after radio as the nurses advised I might be tired then.
House moving is huge, but if you feel able, then maybe it’s a good time to be closer to your family and have their support going forward. BTW, I have chemo fog too, and often just stare at my husband when I can’t think of the words. BUT the same thing happens to him or he says the wrong word and he’s perfectly healthy 
. I think its maybe stress where he is concerned !
Best of luck with the rest of your treatment , another milestone ticked off xxx
1 Like
Hi , I would give yourself a couple of weeks before considering a return to work particularly if your job is demanding . The effects of radiotherapy can continue to build up for 2 weeks after your sessions finish so you can get a big slump at that point , also as someone else has said mentally you can feel rather wobbly when treatment is over when your brain starts to process all this carry on !!
3 Likes
Hi everyone
So some ladies here have started radiotherapy, some have finished and some due to start. Hope it goes/is going/has gone well for everyone.
Has anybody on here had 15 days of radiotherapy and how did that go? I’m a little worried about RT making my pain in chest and underarm worse (pain since op). I’m also wondering how much time to take off after treatment ends.
I had surgery 28 July, started chemo 7 Sep and due to start radiotherapy 31 January. I think it’s only then I will be able to start processing things so feel I need some time to allow for that but am equally aware that work may feel like some normality.
Best wishes to you all
3 Likes
Hi there. I start 31st too. I am having the 5 day protocol though but hope others can answer on 15 day. I share your concerns about pain. My shoulder is moving fine but is still v stiff and tender. I am doing my exercises but it feels a bit ‘clicky’. I might try and speak to the physio. The other question I had was whether anyone can recommend any clothing/vests. I have had a look on line and most seems to have elastane or lycra in. I would prefer pure cotton or silk…anyone got any suggestions? I do have sensitive skin so I know I will react! Also, what have people taken antihistamine wise? I normally take fexofenadine in the spring/summer for hayfever but wondering if other types better as sure I heard fexofenadine not specifically for skin irritation. Xxx
@Camy_Radika is due to finish her 15 sessions today, so maybe she can help.
I’m only having 5 starting today
1 Like
Hi @blue80 i have Fexofenadine and it’s a really good all rounder for allergies and can even help asthma. I used to take antihistamines (loratadine) mainly March to September (tree early and grass pollen later). If I have any allergic reaction it’s good to take. Doctor advised taking Fexofenadine year round due to asthma. During chemotherapy I stopped Fexofenadine as they gave me Cetirizine. I’m sure the Fexofenadine will help with any reaction. But as always check with the radiotherapy or oncology team
I’m starting my 5 days today and will let you know if I have any reaction.
2 Likes
Good luck. Really hope any side effects are minimal. Xxx
1 Like
Hi dear,
Today I had the 15th session, but I have to do another 5 session more, the radiotherapy decided that on the last moment, probably because chemotherapy I had 5/8 session, I had to stop when chemo damage my lungs.
I would said to not think to much how will be, you will see how time is flying and you will done quicker.
The hospital where I am going is 80 km far from my town, I said that the only thing I dislike on this treatment.
I am feeling soo well, and got more energy since I finished chemotherapy, I am tired but not as I was wichemo, is more like you want to sleep all day, but the radiotherapy team recommend to rest as long as you need.
Skin looks normal, sometimes is a bit red as sunburn, but after a day looks fine.
As the team recommend, I use E45 moisturiser cream but only 2 hours after the radiotherapy session, because they said radiotherapy is working on this time too.
@naughty_boob thank you for tagging me I don’t know why I don’t receive notifications on this post. I thought I am finished today but this week they decided to extend my treatment with another 5 session of radiotherapy, so I will done on 17 January.
Hopefully all are feeling better, big hug 
1 Like
@Camy_Radika I suppose the fact your chemo finished early they want to cover you with that extra radiation. Like you the travel is exhausting I am 30 miles (48km) not as far as you but the time to get there and the traffic issues on the motorway can add from 30 minutes to an hour extra time.
I seem to be getting a bit of tingling in my boobs, assume it’s the radiotherapy.
I hope the rest of your treatment goes smoothly
1 Like
I agree with you, could be radiotherapy, I feel some too but I didn’t give to much attention, as I have mastectomy with lymph nodes removed.
The way to hospital is a nightmare, now I hate to travel.
My hair start to grow up 
but is grey colour 
, but I expect to look different, my eyelashes are growing too.
I forgot to say, on my 4 session of radiotherapy, because of lymph nodes removed, I am doing radiotherapy there too, and my throat was a bit sore, with a productive cough, I told them and gave me a prescription for a mixed mouthwash, pink magic potion, and I drunk cold water too, that helped me to get healing my throat. @daffodil1 , sorry I forgot to mention 
the sore throat and productive cough after the 4 th session.
I am fine now, after 2 days throat feels better. I forgot already, but I wrote about this in our post for September chemotherapy.
1 Like