Hello hello, has anyone started radiotherapy yet? Curious of how it’s going for you. Please share 
I’ve still got 4 more weeks of paxi left. I’ve been exercising a lot and that really helps with my fatigue, so the nurses said they may not give me a break after chemo and just move me straight onto radiotherapy. I’m quite bumped bout it as I was really looking forwards towards having a break
Same here, I cold capped first 2 sessions and lost most of my hair after that, apart from a patch on the back. Really disappointed but had been warned capping would only delay hair loss, not stop it. EC x 4 followed by Doc & phesgo.
I was recommended M&S 2pk ultimate support sports bras, back fastening. Was fitted for size and super comfy, ready for lumpectomy next week.
Hi
I’m having my 10th radio session today, 5 more to go! I had a 9 day break after chemo then started radiotherapy. It’s going well. My lumpectomy scar feels a bit tight but other than that no other problems 
Hi everyone hope you are all well.
Chemo finished and now radiotherapy complete too.
Back to hospital this afternoon for my Herceptin injection and I’ve started on Tamoxifen now too.
Feeling extremely tired with very sore joints, my eyes keep watering aswell but feel really dry, anyone experiencing similar?
Think it’s all hitting me emotionally at the moment, sending love to you all xx
Amazing! Thank you for sharing
Hi Errica, sorry to hear this, I hope you are finding ways to cope. My BC has warned me that it is possible the deep fatigue will hit after it all is finished. Apparently it’s expected. I was just told be to be ready to rest a lot. Maybe that’s what is happening to you?
I’m not on Tamoxifen yet, but now that the ‘main’ part of treatment is coming to an end, my emotions are hitting me hard these past two weeks. My BC thinks it’s perimenopause. In fact I came here looking for some consolation, then I saw your post… I hope others will have some wisdom to share.
I’m very scared of the hormone therapy, and the joint pains that it may bring. Having lived with chronic joint ache for the big part of my youth and adulthood, it is not smth I’d like to experience again or wish upon anyone. It’s very very hard, I’d argue it’s harder than actually going through chemo, because it does not have an end date, It’s there and you end up having to have strength to brush it under every day.
Maybe if you report it, they can offer some options to make it better for you??
I’ve started having massive night sweats and hot flushes throughout the day. They are overwhelming, I don’t sleep well. I’m coping, but I’m only 38 so I realised that none of the friends my age can even begin to understand this… they are not living through preimenopause and won’t for another 10-20 years, so it’s not like I can really console in them… And I don’t want to talk about it with old people or my mum cause they are all like ‘its fine’. No it’s not fine for me, I’m too young for this… part of me just wants to decline the hormone therapy… There must be a better way, like some diet or smth…
I’m also realising that the hormone therapy will basically make my body 15years (more or less) older in an instant: no estrogen, worse metabolism, worse impact on bones, worse muscle building, recovery, or maintenance processes… I realise that I’ll have to basically start to work much harder on having a good consistent and very healthy diet if I still want to have a good quality life in my 60s. I’ll have to train more. I’ll have to pay for counselling to help cope with my emotions (because charities only offer 12 sessions) … I’ll have to be stronger than everyone around me… Whilst doing all this I still have to focus on building my career. I have to be strong at work and not let my mood swings affect my work relationships, or my personal relationships…
I’m actually thinking I’m lucky that I don’t have children - one less thing to cope with… (Unlucky at the same time…)
Ultimately, I know I can do it all, but I’m so tired of being strong.
Sometimes I really feel that if one more person tells me I am strong or that I’m doing well I might literally slap their face or stop talking with them all together… I then remind myself, they mean good and just don’t know what to say (nor would I tbh) and this too shall pass…
I’m lucky that I feel fairly good. I look good too (even with a shitty microphone haircut that is the current state of my hair :D). And I have people telling me how lucky I am that I’m skinny, fit and beautiful And inside me I start boiling when they do this, because no, I’m not just lucky, I worked very hard on developing and maintaining good habits. I wake up and go exercise even when my fatigue is so bad that the head feels too heavy to hold on my shoulders.
Maintaining good food and health habits in this society is so haaaard… I literally feel like an army general, who needs to lead by example… I’m not lucky - I work hard! But I recognise that ultimately this leaves me in a position where socialising with people, even my own partner is not smith I want to do…
How am I meant to have interest, compassion or patience for other peoples problems after I’m going through this myself?
I try to brush it under and go have fun with friends, but tbn I come home and it feels almost as if I betrayed myself because ultimately I am still sad…
I decided to blame my sadness on the fact that it’s winter and the sun is not as bright anymore…
Please share any words of wisdom. And sorry for the rant, but hopefully someone can resonate.
I had double mastectomies 11 days ago with a few lymph nodes taken out on the left side and sentinel node on right. Drains came out on Monday and felt a lot better. Have already developed cording on the left armpit. Have asked for physio and looking at YouTube videos for exercise advice. Was given bra with softies to wear after surgery- helps to reduce risk of seroma. Main bandage taken off yesterday, just steri-strips remaining that should come off slowly in shower etc.
Congrats on getting to this stage. Hope your recovery is smooth. Exercise really helps with cording. Stay true and compassionate to yourself!
Big hug!
So sorry to hear about what you’re going through and about your future worries. It’s normal- I see it like a grieving process. What you said about there being no ‘end date’ is true and will add to the frustration.
Regarding your worries about joint pain- your oncologist may be able to offer alternate medications if that becomes a big issue. I think there are newer medications for hot flushes available that are not hormone related.
No other great words of wisdom available unfortunately except to keep going, don’t give up.
Thank you darling. This is helpful.
I’m totally having a moment. More like a phase of sadness and grieving. I suppose it was meant to come at some point.
Hi, i finished chemo 6 weeks ago and have done 12 of 15 radiotherapy. I have found RT hard as i have to expose my surgery scars every dsy to different staff. i had non-nipple sparing mastectomy and so my breast looks weird and i hate it. For the hot flushes - i bought gel cooling pads from Amazon and they are fabulous. I put one inside my pillowcase and its really cold all night - i sleep much better. For joint pain, ask to try different brands of the drug. The quality of ingredients really makes a difference. It helps but joint pain is always an issue.
@sim2 totally get you. I met my oncologist 3 weeks ago and I was not prepared to discuss endocrine therapy. And I felt defeated because I’m just 42. Chemo was for 6 months, surgery was just one day and still recovering and radio is coming 15x sessions but endocrine drug 10 years. I’m already suffering with dryness down there because of phesgo every 3 weeks and my back is aching, my hair is so thin. Tomorrow GP appt and will have a discussion regarding vaginal moisturiser.
@sim2 … this 
i agree and feel every word
I hope they can offer some good options for you! Let’s hope this dryness will get resolved.
I’ll be honest, at this point I don’t think I can remember what sex is anymore 
sending hugs!
Hi lovely ladies, I hope that you are all doing well? Sorry to hear that some of you have been struggling.
I have three radiotherapy sessions left and have been taking Tamoxifen but have just been informed that I will be going onto Ribociclib for three years (with an aromatase inhibitor and ovary suppression injections). I will be having my first Zoladex injection on Monday. Is anyone else going onto the three year Ribociclib treatment plan? I have to say the thought of nearly finishing to undertaking a further three years is a little daunting. I will be back at work full time so I’m hoping that I don’t have too many side effects and the various appointments don’t get too overwhelming. It will be great to share experiences with anyone who has started or is starting this plan.
Hi everyone me again. Unfortunately I got some bad news today with the results of my surgery. They need to do a second surgery to get clear margins and remove all of my lymph nodes after only removing 5 the first time. I have residual cancer cells after the chemo so will swap from herceptin injection to 14 rounds of kadcyla chemo. Think they will do radio before starting the new chemo. Completely gutted today.
Hi @sunflower9 I am also down for ribociclib treatment plan. I have just started taking letrozole and start radiotherapy in a couple of weeks. I have been a bit anxious about the ricociclib due to ongoing monitoring for 3 years - blood tests every 2 weeks and ecg every month- plus the potential side effects including low immunity. But think I’m going to give it a go. I will be starting end of November. Will be good to share experiences. Keep in touch. X
2 days ago I had full lymph nodes clearance on my left side- that’s 3 weeks after bilateral mastectomies. Already developed some lymphoedema. Skin feels very sensitive on the upper arm due to the swelling. Feeling a little sorry for myself 