Just thought I would start a new thread for those ladies who are starting or continuing/completing their rads in June.
Helena xx
Hi I due to start rads 12th June, been delayed due to infection, op was 12th March.
Had planning session but then got infection so heres hoping June will see end of active treatments 
Hi there everyone, first time posting here. I am an ex-pat living in Israel. My treatment has here has been exactly as in the UK, just maybe more waiting time between appointments. Op was in early Feb. Planning session was 2 weeks ago and I am just waiting for the phone call to let me know when I will have my first session of 15. So hopefully within a few days. Prescribed Letrozole for 5 years, been taking for a month with no side effects (so far). Nice to know that I can share my experiences here and maybe compare treatments between the two countries. Roll on end of June…
Hi this is the first time I’ve posted but have been dipping in and out of the forum since I was diagnosed. Just completed 4 session of rads so far not had any issues. Was very nervous about starting treatment so I found it reassuring hearing how others coped. I did have a wobble prior to starting and did think of not going ahead with it. I’m also on hormone treatment again not noticed any physical side effects but definitely a bit more emotional. It will be good to know how others are managing their treatment at the same time
Hi all! I’m starting my rads on Monday 5th June. Been taking Anastrozole for two weeks. Waiting for my baseline bone scan. I’m feeling very nervous because I’ve found a lump on my vulva which my GP can’t identify and has referred me to a gynaecology oncologist this Friday!! So many things at once. Feeling a bit low.
Hi mini mad
Hope your not stressing to much I know that the thought of starting and how it will be is really scary. Don’t know about you but I didn’t really have a clue what was involved even after reading all the booklets and searching the web. Didn’t sleep for couple of nights before. Its not as bad as you can imagine and now after 5 sessions it becoming almost normal. I find the most uncomfortable part is having your arms above your head. Treatment only takes minutes and you don’t feel anything. I was diagnosed in March had lumpectomy and lympnodes removed in April now on tamoxifen. Having 15 sessions of radiotherapy also having genetic testing due to family history.
Let me know how it goes tomorrow
Hi all…mini mad, Karen and Helena. I had my first session yesterday and went better than expected. My 21yr old daughter came and it was lovely having her with me in the room while nurse was explaining what will the treatment involve. I forget sometimes how much it affects her and she needs to be reassured too that I am not in any pain.
I also will be having 15 sessions of the whole breast with extra 5 at the end that that my Oncologist calls a ‘booster week’ where they will concentrate the beams on the area of the breast where the lump was situated. Not sure if anyone else has this too?!
I started applying E45 immediately after, just in case 
and am having a bottle of water with me constantly. Thought I’d take Helena’s advice and be ahead of things ;-). Thank you Helena xxx.
I received my schedule until 27/6 and as I said will be working in the mornings with treatments in the afternoon. If I don’t feel up to it the next day then I’ll just rest at home and go to treatment. Work can wait!
Dear mini mad, all
The best at your first session today. I will be thinking of you at my second
Dear Karen, I wish you a speedy recovery from your lumpectomy and hope all goes well. There is something I’d like to suggest and feel free to ask your nurse or surgeon. My surgeon recommended that I apply Bio Oil on my scar after lumpectomy as soon as all the strips are out. I think it’s helping and my scar looks neat. Just massage your breast gently twice a day with oil…your scar area.
And lastly in case anyone is interested and would like to compare notes…I was diagnosed with:
Grade II, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with DCIS
Er+, Pr+, HER-2 negative
15mm (total with DCIS 24mm)
Lumpectomy 30/03 with negative lymph nodes
Re-excision 20/04
Radiotherapy start 30/5
Tamoxifen since 08/05/17 (can’t think of any side effects yet)
I’m 46yrs old
Nada xxx
Hi, had my first rads today 1 of 15. Wasn’t too bad at all. In fact most of the time was spent getting me in the right position. And I was more worried about sneezing when they had got me lined up (hayfever!!) than anything else. Was told not to wear a bra at home and moisturise at least twice a day. They recommended E45 but am also using Organic Aloe Vera gel from Holland and Barrett. And to get round the bra situation when out and about, will be wearing bra crop tops, no seams, no wires, cotton and M&S are doing a buy one, get one free at the moment.
Wishing us all the best xx
Meri
I had monstrous hot flushes - and lots of them. I found it debilitating and generally horrible. I bought sage tablets from Healthspan (online) and my hot flushes have almost gone! It’s worth a try.
Jacey
Thank you so much for thinking of me. The wait is nearly over. Thank you for your support. Xx
SooBee, hope all goes well tomorrow xx
Meri, I have a problem raising one arm due to a problem not related to BC. My first session, yesterday, was not comfortable but todays session which was shorter was a lot easier. x
Its reassuring hearing others experiences.
I too got aloe vera gel and also aloe vera lotion as gel soothing but can also be drying.
Today saw surgeon, had loads fluid removed from breast and arm, heres hoping this will ease discomfort.
Looks like rads maybe delayed again though, but I hope not.
I am worried about long delay, wonder if it increases risk of the odd cancer cell wandering around???
But also exhausted, wish I had detachable boob! it and I need a rest LOL
That’s number 8 over. Moisturising 3 times a day had skin check and at present breast looking okay. Noticed scars have changed colour but told this is normal. Have had some stabbing pains of and on since day 5 again been told normal. Looking forward to couple of days of.
<Empty imported post>
Had my 3rd session today. Felt v tired and weepy this evening. But don’t know whether thats because of weeks being upbeat for family, I have suddenly accepted what is going on. Or because I have spent the day being taxi driver for children on half term. Also boob red and slightly sore. Really looking forward to the weekend off. Have a good weekend everyone xx
Hi Mini Mad
I am using creams that radiologist gave me called Zerobase emollient use twice a day and a steroid cream Betnovate to be put on before bed.
Did read some where to stay away from aloe Vera during rads. Hope you find something that works for you.
Enjoy your weekend
Hi will be starting my radiotherapy sometime in june, have seen oncologist and been given tamoxifen have been having bad joint pain and since taking pain in my breast has got worse, have had the mapping scan and had to go through having a shell made as I am big chested that was fun laying there haveing a mold made out of plaster of paris had to go back then to have it fitted and alterations,found when having the scan that its very restrictive and can only shallow breath dont know if anyone has had this done, waiting on a phone call now they said four to five weeks before I start havent had the tattos yet not sure when they will be done I have IDC grade 2 had lumpectomy in march and sentinal lymph nodes taken two of the lymph nodes were infected so had clearance stage 3 thats my story so far .
Well that was a laugh - not! Turns out I have precancerous cells ‘downstairs’. It’s not urgent. I’ve been told that if I think it’s worse by September to ring the hospital for an appointment! How am I meant to know that??? Anyway, I start radiotherapy on Monday so I’m trying not to worry too much but I do feel low.
Hello all I have 4 more sessions next week and then all over. Things are going well so far. I worked up till last Tuesday morning but found it a struggle being on my feet for 4 hours with just a15 min break. I have found my asthma is playing up more, as for creams I have been putting on a body lotion my daughter bought me plus putting a small layer on just after treatment. Hope you all have a good weekend xx
Lotions
My doccters doing radiotherapy say research has shown its fine to use normal lotions that you would use.
Personally due to skin sensativity I use creams that paraben free, no colours or scents.
The DrOrganic range is good does nice aloe vera lotion as well as gel. I put gel on after lotion as aloe vera gel often has drying affect.
I also use Liz Earle body cream as so moisturising.
Been told use normal deoderant as research shown makes no difference to rads.
I think I may have to have re measuring assessions been delayed due to infection, have loads swelling too.
My skin still pink from infection, keep hoping it will settle as think will be too sensative for rads.
I feel shattered due to infection so dreading this stage of treatment. 