So lovely to hear how everyone is getting on. It’s been two weeks since I finished radiotherapy & my energy levels have definitely dropped. Appreciating it’s the perfect time of the year to slow down, grab a cuppa (or mulled wine 
) and watch a Xmas movie.
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It’s so reassuring reading all shared experiences both good and the not so good ones. It helps us to know that what we are feeling or experiencing is common and relatable among all of us going through cancer diagnosis, its treatment and the side effects.
I have just finished 15 plus 5 boost of radiotherapy treatment, which I found to be difficult. I am having radiation dermatitis which is very upsetting to me. I thought I was recovering from chemo and its side effects and was starting to feel a bit better. Now I have this to deal with along with aches, pains and all the side effects from Zoladex and Tamoxifen. I am now dreading the next medication (Abemaciclib). It’s never ending! Well hopefully one day.
I just wish for a good Christmas with my family and the same for everyone here. We deserve the best Christmas considering all that we have been through.
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Hi bc0205, Regarding your radiation dermatitis, ask your breast care nurse or oncologist if you can use Medi Honey. It is really good to put on if you have skin problems after radiation. My consultant gave me a prescription for it, but if you are told you can use it but get no prescription you can buy it from Amazon. Do however check with you bc nurse or consultant first. Good luck. Big hugs. sunshine 21.
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Thanks @Sunshine21, I will contact my BCN tomorrow about this and see what they say.
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Lovely to hear everyone getting on with festivities. Its a tough time of year when we’re in good health but feels a great achievement putting up decorations and organising ourselves after everything we’ve been through this year.
I had my lumpectomy last Thursday and can’t believe how my surgeon managed to get the lump and lymph nodes out through one 3-ish inch cut ( I think…not actually seen under dressing yet). Bit of pain but not as much as I was expecting.
Won’t get biopsy results for 3 weeks with it being Christmas but it’ll soon go.
Not sure whether we should be enjoying festive mince pies and a Baileys… but I am!
Hope you’re all feeling ok. Xx
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Glad you’re not too sore @cheche and I think we deserve whatever we fancy this Christmas! I was just scrolling through my notes on chemo treatments and side effects and I think based on how often I recorded that food was unappetising, my mouth felt gross or I was being careful what I ate due to indigestion and diarrhoea we all deserve to enjoy ourselves!
Yesterday my husband had a day off and we did a long-planned trip to Holt in north Norfolk for some Christmas shopping, then we went to Brancaster Staithe on the coast for a gorgeous 3 course lunch with views looking out over the marshes to sea. It was fabulous! I struggled with 3 courses but it was all so lovely!
I wonder if the payoff we will get for the understandable worry of recurrence which will likely feature for us all to some extent might be a deeper sense of joy at the good things in life. I do hope so, and I will try to always really appreciate those moments more than ever now.
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Yes I think you are absolutely right with this.
I’m glad your lumpectomy went well @cheche and that you’re feeling ok. X
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@cheche good to hear your surgery went well and that you are recovering well. I agree with @runnerjen do treat yourself because with all that we have been through and are still going through in terms of treatments, enjoy whatever you fancy this festive season.
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