I think the main side effect is fatigue, and most people don’t get this until towards the end and afterwards. It’s hard for me to say because I have ms so have fatigue from that also, but it’s definitely worse right now so that must be the results of rads.
Your breast will get pink…like sunburn…esp towards the end. You need to cream your breast about 3 times a day from the beginning, the hospital will advise you on that.
Apart from that it’s fairly straightforward. You won’t feel anything at all. So every day they will put you in position (you just lie there like a rag doll while they get you in exactly the right position) then they leave the room for about 10 mins. The machine makes a few noises and it moves over you (it’s a big machine), but all you have to do is lie completely still while this is going on. The radiotherapy team can see you on camera so if you are uncomfortable or anything you can wave your hands and they will stop the machine and come through. But really there is nothing to worry about. No pain or any sensation at all.
Hi Kris. Hugs to you.
I just had number 7 of 15 sessions then have to have 5 boosters. After my treatment yesterday I had stabbing pains at my SNB site but Chris the radiotherapist advised today that was due to the radiotherapy irritating nerves trying to heal and not to worry. It’s normal and I can take painkillers if it’s too bad. I don’t ‘do’ painkillers (ex nurse!) unless pain is excruciating which its not - just a bit uncomfortable really. I’m getting used to the routine now. I’m lucky I think; the QE B’ham are incredibly good with their appt timings and often are stood waiting for me despite me being 10 mins early so I’m usually finished by the time I’m due to begin! Only one slight delay due to a very nervous patient who I’d actually sat next to - they literally scooped me into another room within 5 mins of my appt time - very efficient. Bit early for me to have skin issues yet but I’m following all the advice I found on here - slathering E45 on 3 times a day! The dept at the QE gave me a brilliant booklet on what to expect. They advise keep on doing what you did before unless you get a reaction which they look out for and ask about every day. I just changed to a more intense moisturising body cream and have continued to use the same deodorant. Every centre seems to have its own way of doing things I think. One thing I have found here: huge support! Thank you ladies - I’m so glad I’m not doing this without you all:) Hugs to everyone. X
Hi CJRD, I was told that normally people start Anastrozole at same time as starting rads, but they wanted me to start after rads because I have ms (fatigue being a problem). However I have since seen that some hospitals advise everyone to start after rads so it really does seem to vary.
I think it’s not very good that they didn’t tell you, and yes you should contact BC nurse. You should have been given clear instructions. But don’t worry…it obviously doesn’t matter if you leave it till rads have finished.
I see consultant tomorrow (finished rads last Tuesday) & assume I’ll soon have the bone density test and then start Anastrozole.
Hello folks, I start radiotherapy tomorrow so I’d like to join this thread. I had neoadjuvant chemotherapy starting in November followed by a wide local excision and node clearance in early June. I’m to be having 15 fractions to the whole (right) breast and a boost of 8 fractions to the tumour bed - due to finish 24 August if all goes smoothly. I look forward to chatting with you. I hope you’re all having a nice weekend.
Sorry, but can I ask a question to those who have already started? Snow Leopard, you said 10 minutes in your thread, a comment I read somewhere on a previous months rads thread someone said it took literally seconds. I was told it will take about 15 minutes or so to “set me up” then 5-6 minutes to ‘do me’ by someone I spoke to in the waiting room at my scan/tattoo session. Im really anxious about my first session on Wednesday and when I read the seconds comment I was thrilled, seems that was probably wrong.
Hi Lesley. I’m thinking each radiotherapy dept is different. The first treatment for me took around 15 minutes as they took X Ray’s first then were very meticulous about my freckle and side tattoos. I begged for a mid chest freckle to be used rather than have another tattoo. Positioning took most of the time. The time the machine was operating delivering beams was very short - less than a minute each side (it gets moved to the opposite side of the table for me). Subsequent appts have taken less than 10 minutes - less sometimes as I often get into the right position by luck rather than anything else! The machine delivering the treatment is on for only a very short time for me - I can hear the buzzing start and stop over the music being played for me. Hope that reassures you a little. Relax if you can - it makes it easier for the staff to position you but don’t be scared to say you’re nervous. I was in a right state on my first appt day but it was fine - the staff were hugely reassuring and patient which helped. They even showed me their ‘control’ room so I knew where they were which reassured me if I needed help during the treatment they would be with me in seconds.
I think the oncologist decides how many sessions you have and how much radiotherapy in each session. So some people have shorter sessions, some longer.
My surgeon had originally said I was to have 20 sessions, 15 on whole breast and 5 as booster over the cancer area, but oncologist decided on 15 and apparently the oncologist has the upper hand on radiotherapy. And then my sessions have been an average of 10 mins each. So it’s impossible to say how long yours will be. However Lesley I promise you that you don’t feel anything. It’s like having an X-Ray. Although of course everyone is nervous for the first couple of sessions but believe me you get very used to it very quickly. They can see you on camera and can stop the machine if you wave to them…so try and relax about it if you can.
These machines cost millions and that’s because they are so accurate and cannot hurt you. Please let us know how you get on.
Thinking of you (I’d be with you to hold your hand if that was possible!!!).
Just to say what the other ladies have said its a few minutes and they seem to speed up the more settled you become in the environment. First session is longest as they have to check measurements are still right from planning scan then it gets quicker.
I was anxious even though I have worked in that environment but as everyone says they can see you on camera and are about 10 steps away at most.
I had zap 4 on friday and it was so quick I didnt realise they had switched the machine on.
They will help you lie down then shout lots of numbers at each other tell you they are popping out and will be back soon and it really is soon. They pop back in move the machine and leave again then pop back in and thats it your done usually unless you are having another area done then they pop out again.
The machine isnt enclosed you can see the ceiling and there is usually music playing. I had to try not to laugh at “hands up baby hands up” last week as I lay there
Hope all goes well x any questions pop in here
Remember moisturise lots , exercises (your post op ones if you havent been given any others) keep your arm and shoulder moving as much as possible and stay hydrated.
First one today. All went ok. Worst was having to hold arms above head as I have a shoulder problem and by the end was very uncomfortable. Had to have 5 minutes then they came back moved the machine and then another 5 minutes. I kept my eyes closed the whole time and mentally went for a walk in the woods. Can see that it’s going to get very tiring when the effects start kicking in as long journey, hanging around then long journey back. However, I’ve started and can start crossing the session dates off my list. Thanks for the support all xx
Hi all,
I have my last one tomorrow!! I’ve found the rads much harder than I thought I would, I think I thought it would be easy compared to chemo, but I ended up getting a cold and it floored me. I’ve also decided to ditch my wig tomorrow too, so to me it is an end of active treatment and the start of a new look, I’m excited but nervous!!
Good luck to everyone else, keep strong we are very close to the finish line.
Debbie xx
Oh Lesley - huge hugs. I had number 11 this afternoon. I had scans taken again today which made my treatment lengthen a bit and I obviously didn’t get into the right position by default as has been happening the last few sessions as I had to be moved quite a lot today. 5 minutes each side seems a long time. I counted how long the machine was on - 20 seconds each side. The machine I’m on is controlled remotely and is moved by the staff in the control room so I’m left alone for around 2 minutes, maybe less. Longer today as the scanning plate had to be moved manually before the machine could be moved to the other side but usually I’m in and out in under 10 minutes. I made the decision to work from home for the next couple of weeks until I finish as the stress of a 2 hour plus drive from work to my appt is making my head hurt. A part of me feels massive regret whilst another part states firmly that I should be looking after me first. I’m not going to win with that one! I’ve just taken my first Tamoxifen - should’ve been last night but I forgot! Doh! I blame the heat! Good wishes to you all:)
Hi Ladies I posted earlier before I started but have been so busy since as I am also working full time so just haven’t had time to post what with work, going backwards and forwards to the hospital and trying to continue ‘as normal’ with my life. Today I have 8/15 of the ‘normal ones’ with 5 targeted ones to go. Its going absolutely fine (just a bit tedious if anything) I’m lathering on the E45 and my skin is holding up just fine I hope everyone else is finding the same,
My tumour was right hand side of left breast. I have seen comments about having to do special breathing during rads, I haven’t had to yet but am wondering if I may have to on the ‘targeted’ ones as (I 'im imagining) it is above my heart . Has anyone else done these yet - is there any difference between them and the normal ? I’m at the QE in Birmingham.
Hi all, just checking in to say hi and see how you’re all doing.
I finished rads on the 19th. I’m still slathering the E45 on and so far no skin breaks at all. The breast has got pinker and is a bit sore and sometimes electric shock like pains…which come and go so quickly they’re not a problem.
I started Anastrozole on Tuesday morning. Feeling extremely tired & don’t know if it’s the rads, the drug or my ms reacting to it all. Probably a combo of all.
I go back to rads tomorrow for a check up.
Sarah I’m not sure about the breathing and left side rads. You could always ask the radiotherapists.
Had my follow-up at rads and nurse is very pleased with my breast…no skin breaks at all. I don’t need to go back for more checks.
Got appointment letter from consultant this morning…October 24th!!! SO happy that I can finally get back to normal & not spend half my life at hospital (well ok, it wasn’t half…but what with the preparing to go, then the getting there and the getting home…it felt like half!).
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Don’t forget to keep using the cream…and get plenty of rest…and TLC!
Hi, I’m new to the forum as only diagnosed recently but read the last post on rads and wanted to ask how they position you. I have a shoulder replacement on the sid being treated and can’t raise my arm too far back without discomfort. Wonder if this will be a problem.
Hi Sue,welcome to the forum.They do position you with your arm raised above your head ,they need to position you so that only the precise area to be treated is radiated.Im sure they will have come across people with difficulties getting arm above head and there must be ways around this.I would flag it up with your surgeon/oncologist as soon as poss and see what they suggest .You also need to do exercises after lumpectomy /SNB so yours may need to be tailored to suit by a physio.
welcome to the July rads fellow Nov girl x