Hi!
Thought I’d start this group as I couldn’t find one - I’m starting 15 days of radiotherapy on November 11th following a single mastectomy with no reconstruction.
Hoping to share tips / experiences with anyone else in the same boat! I’m 41 and being treated at the Marsden.
Claire x
Hi - I’m also starting my radiotherapy in November. Friday 22nd for 5 sessions after 3 lumpectomies to gain decent clearance. Have also just been started on Tamoxifen.
I’m 40 and being treated in Maidstone.
Be great to be able to share experience 
Dear Clair41
I would like to wish you lots of luck with your radiotherapy, drink plenty of water, and lots of cream,
Be kind to yourself with lots of treats,
With love and hugs Tili 
Dear Angharad,
Wishing you, lots of luck with your radiotherapy, take good care drink plenty of water.
Take any help offered as treatment can be tiring, health and happiness going forward.
Hugs Tili
Hi, I’ve just been given a radio start date for next week. It’s floored me a bit as I was originally told it would be in another 4-6 weeks which would be much nearer Christmas. It’s a small change but emotionally getting a date and it being so soon has suddenly generated a lot of anxiety.
So far through this process I have been quite calm. I was told after I had a couple of biopsies in July that I had low grade DCIS [i also had this
In the same area in 2015 which was treated with surgery only) but after the WLE it was upgraded to low and intermediate DCIS with multiple invasive focii. They were both very tiny tumours which is why they weren’t picked up through imaging. This diagnosis was followed by an SNB and the nodes were clear.
So, on quite a few occasions I was told it wasn’t anything to worry about and the tests were just a precaution and it was extremely unlikely to be invasive cancer. This all turned out to be wrong.
Throughout both operations and the tests I have worked apart from 2 weeks post operative recovery, Now, I am worried because there is no guidance about taking time off work for radiotherapy or afterwards so I feel obliged to carry on even though people say you should take it easy as you will be tired and sore or get other side effects, my anxiety levels about this and how I will feel during and after treatment are going through the roof. I guess I will find out soon.
Hi andypandy
I am supposed to start rads in Nov waiting for my dates. Had 2 lumpectomies for tumor and DCIS HER2 neg, ER+, grade 3 and high grade DCIS. I have just turned 50 and started Tamoxifen. Will also be having Zoladex.
I am lucky my work place have been very good with my sick leave. I’m not a member of staff who takes days off every other week for the 11 years there. I was unfortunate to have a seizure 2 years ago, which required 2 months off work, then another 1 year ago - not related to any cancer. Very genuine reason for time off!
I was gutted and worried about work when I got the BC diagnosis. I worked up to the day before surgery and not gone back. I am 10 weeks from then. I have recovered from both surgeries, but my emotions have been very erratic and on the few good days, I feel like I am owed a little time to enjoy myself.
Tamoxifen is just starting to kick in, nausea and not much sleep and anxious now to start rads.
Everyone is different, and even though you are feeling physically well, your mental health is just as important. I hope your employer is sensible and not putting any pressures on you. You have rights under equality laws.
Do whatever you feel is best for your situation and try not to let other sway you.
Take care x
Hi I have just started radiotherapy week 2 done 3 to go . Why do I have to drink lots of water ? I’m doing ok though I am tired but I’m 69 so maybe it’s just my age
Welcome to the forum @maka . Radiotherapy makes you dehydrated and this can make fatigue a lot worse . I did 15 sessions and was totally exhausted halfway through , I was advised to up fluids and it made a big difference .
Thanks I’ll start drinking more water 
Thought I’d check in with my fellow November radiotherapy participants and see how everyone is getting on!
I just had my 3rd session today. First two were absolutely fine, lovely staff, nice music on, dimmed lights and calming pictures playing on a screen above me. Little bit of swelling and tiredness after but nothing too bad however think I got lulled into a false sense of security as today was horrible!
I was in a different room and it was a totally different experience. Staff didn’t even speak to me, no music so I could hear every whir of the machines, lights were switched on full once machine started and the screen was not switched on which meant all I saw was my own petrified reflection the whole way through 
I’m also so sore and swollen today and think I’m getting a bit of blistering on my scar.
Absolutely dreading going back tomorrow now!
Hey,
I’m on day 13 out of 15 tomorrow!
Doing ok - the first session I hated, felt like I couldn’t hold my breathe properly but after that it’s been ok other than a coughing fit last week!
I’ve been lucky with my skin so far - it’s a bit red and itchy and swollen but not too bad. They said the worst side effects tend to happen after the 15 sessions are over though. I’ve been using moisturiser three times a day on the area, morning, straight after my session and then evening too.
Generally tired but I think the travel to and from hospital is tiring me!
Hope everyone is getting on ok!
Dear angharad,
Firstly well done, for getting this far with your treatment. However so sorry to read you have had a bad day, this also happened to me……I was left without know what was happening, they were extremely apologetic, all went well from then on, so hopefully your next visit will be better.
Take good care, use lots of cream let us know how your getting on.
With the biggest hugs Tili
Thank you - today was all back to normal and they were very apologetic about yesterday so all good 
Excellent news, so pleased for you.
Hugs Tili