hope you’re all ok in this cold but beautiful sunny weather.
I’m 6 sessions in too and all I can say is OUCH. My skin is good and showing no problems whatsoever but oh my goodness, inside my breast is sore - feels like a hair straightener burn ? (impossible I know). My nipple is back to being sore again (like it was after surgery), has gone dark red and continuously seems to be pointing the way ?.
I’m seeing the review radiographer tomorrow which is routine apparently but I’m hoping they might have some advice for me. I did mention it to them today before treatment started so don’t know what else to do really.
Taken ibruprofen and will follow up with paracetamol in a while.
Can honestly say I’m dreading the next 14 sessions now, based on how it all feels at the moment.
Just heard that we got margins on second surgery!!
Now being referred to oncologist for next line of treatment. I was a candidate for oncotyping so had agreed to this and hoping for “low” on this - fingers crossed and chemo not needed. But will be starting Rads sometime soon.
Sue and Beth, hope you’re both feeling better, doesn’t sound like much fun. It must be hard to start feeling grim when you know there’s a while to go. Sending you both hugs and crossed fingers that things will get better.
Agarside, great for getting clear margins, I well remember getting the news that I needed another operation, your heart sinks. But it’s great when you do get the all clear, you’re a step closer to getting this stage over.
I start tomorrow morning at 8 am, so a bit of an early start. I know I’m being a wuss, but I’m feeling a bit nervous. I had lots of plans for all the jobs I was going to get done today, but instead we had two lots of workmen here and nothing got finished. So I still have stuff to do tonight, then a long bath I think.
Lady Bowler, good luck with your planning appointment tomorrow!
Ladybowler I’ll think of you too <3. I remember being so nervous about radiotherapy and the CT scan but honestly its all ok. In fact it’s a bit of a let down its over so quickly. Love Clair xxx
The CT scan was fine, though I went in and out like a yo yo! It isn’t at all claustrophobic, which I was worried about, maybe I’m confusing it with MRI scanners. I was just surprised by how quick the planning appointment was. Having said that, I’ll have another look tonight but I’m sure I’ve lost my middle tattoo…!
My husband is filling the car up and getting the sheet for the windscreen now, we’re out in the sticks in Dorset, on our local news they’re saying maybe minus 8 or 9 in rural areas. So we’ll allow a bit of extra time for ice, the first few miles are very narrow lanes, and not gritted.
top tip for your CT scan tomorrow - don’t wear your Sunday best. They will draw all over your top half with marker pen as they map everything out. I had thick red pen everywhere which transferred on to my bra and top. Also, I had a V neck top on that day and looked a bit wierd with a 3 inch red line coming up the middle!!
It really is fine and takes no time at all. The doodling takes the longest!
I have my planning appointment on Friday. I haven’t had time to think about it as close family member just been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma last week. She is 47 has children 3 and 9 Single parent and mum lives abroad. I am going with her for biopsy results appt and her surgery which is booked next day. Wd can’t believe we are going through it at same time . We are not blood related. Never rains but it pours.
the markerpen washes off really easily - at least mine did! I didn’t think it was too bad until I stripped off for a shower at home that evening after work…it was everywhere!!
good luck for tomorrow, it’ll all be fine and the tattoos are quick and don’t hurt xx
Ah, Boobywoo, I feel for you both. Though I’m sure she will be grateful to have someone close who knows what it’s like and will be there for her.
My sister was diagnosed about six months before me, though she only had surgery, no radiotherapy or hormone treatment. She was only 48, got called for a mammogram in a pilot programme bringing in women before the age of 50, so she was lucky to get it caught early. I was very glad in the early days to have her to tell me what to expect from surgery, and shes been so supportive right through this.
I had very little ink on me at the planning meeting, the crosses where they did the tattoos were about an inch. But then again one definitely seems to have gone AWOL…!
I’ve been given two leaflets from my hospital, one says don’t use any deodorant containing metal and don’t use any creams, moisturiser or ointments. The other says you can wear deodorant unless it irritates your skin and can use any skin moisturised sparingly if it doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate.
Just got back from the first session, minus four on the way there and minus two on the way back. Very pretty watching the sunrise.
Well it was quick, I didn’t find the position difficult, and I was just scrubbing away at the new pen marks before I got dressed when I remembered all the advice about treating your skin very gently…too late!
The room was freezing again, I’m not thinking this is going to improve…
I won’t have any problem staying hydrated, I drink so much black coffee already, I’m always awash.
No, she’s wrong! Tea and coffee and soft drinks all count towards your fluid intake. They used to tell people that, but it never was true. I’d be dead if coffee didn’t count, I only ever drink coffee and red wine. If you Google it ( I tried does coffee count as water?), you’ll see loads of articles saying almost anything counts if it’s a liquid.
I’m no good at doing web links, but it’s on the NHS Choices website and loads of other reputable organisations.
I only drink weak black instant coffee, I guess it would be different if you drank espressos all the time!
Ladybowler - im so glad today went ok. You’ve got a date to work towards now and you’ll soon be ticking off the days. I keep looking for my tattoos to make sure they’re still there!! They are of course but they are tiny. You’ll soon be underway.
Dizzybee - it was freezing here today too! My car was still frozen solid when I ventured out around lunchtime. You’re the second person that has mentioned new pen marks to me today. I’ve not to had any drawings since the planning appointment! Glad it was all ok, you’ll soon get into routine.
Sue - I hope all liquids count towards the two litres everyday. Plain water gives me terrible indigestion, always has done, so I’ve been drinking loads of fruit squash. I have developed a penchant for mango squash these days!! That and coffee. Hope no one robs me of my coffee!! Hope you’re feeling ok as you tick off the rads. Think you’re on 7 now, the same as me?
i have felt better today and a bit less sore. My nipple, which is still blue, is really sore so they have given me some dressings today to help protect it once I’m home. See if that does the trick. My skin is still doing ok, it’s just inside that is painful. I was moaning to hubby in the car on the way home that there was yet another new person with me today. Of course I do not mind students coming in to watch and learn, it’s important for the future but it’s another pair of eyes, another pair of hands, another person seeing me at my most vulnerable.
Hubbies response? “Don’t worry darling, at least they’re not looking at your foof!!” He has a point!!! I did laugh and laugh at that. Bless him, he does have the knack!!
Hope we you’re all ok this evening. Onwards and upwards ladies! Xx
Hi, hope it’s ok to gatecrash this thread. I’m on day 2 of 15. Today was easier than yesterday as there was less of the unknown. Radiographer said side effects start approx 5-8 treatments in. I know about the ‘sunburn’ and tiredness but she also mentioned possible pain in my chest wall? Has anyone else experienced that?
Also finding the treatment hard going as I have PTSD and the treatment area is very open as though anyone can just walk in ( no doors) makes me very anxious!
We’re glad to have anyone to join us, the more the merrier! It is the support from these lovely ladies that is keeping me going, I think I’d be a nervous wreck on my own.
You must be like me, finishing in the week before Christmas? My last day is down to be the Wednesday, I have a day off while the machine has its MOT. So I’m just hoping I’ll be feeling okay, they say the effects are at their worst in the two weeks after you finish. So I’m planning on directing operations from my armchair and watching everyone else do the work…
The new pen marks today…they drew big crosses centred on the tattoo dots, and a few more lines. There was more today than at my planning session.
Going today has spooked my husband, there’s a gaggle of men all there to have their prostates zapped, he was looking a bit pale at the thought. We’re very lucky in comparison, they have to have an enema every morning and then drink pints of water till their bladders are nearly bursting. And they do five weeks of it. So now I’m thanking God we don’t have to do that.
Hi all. I am starting radiotherapy next Wednesday. Does anyone go by themselves and drive themselves there and back? I have people to come with me but thinking I will be quicker by myself! Also, how long are you on the couch for each day? I struggle with my bag and worrying that I won’t be able to lie there long enough! I am also getting anxious about how the treatment will make me feel. I’ve coped well so far x
xx