Hello everyone, and happy New Year to you all. I hope you’re all doing well.
I had my lumpectomy in December and I’m due to have five days of radiotherapy at the beginning of February. I’m feeling quite scared, both about the side effects and what to expect. I’d be so grateful if you could share any advice or tips.
I’d also really appreciate hearing about your experiences with hormone blockers, and whether you felt they were worth taking despite the side effects. I’m very much in two minds about them at the moment.
I found it quite cold in the radiotherapy suite so I wore arm warmers (leg warmers on my arms) to help keep me toasty. Others also suggest a cami top that can be pulled down to sit over your midriff.
My biggest advice would be to keep massaging the area after your treatment is finished. I had no ill effects at the time but ended up with late effects 3 months afterwards.
Well done for undergoing the lumpectomy, I hope all went well. My radiotherapy was in 2023, 5 sessions too. Personally i found the actual radiotherapy was way better than I’d imagined in my head!! The first couple were quite easy, by the 3rd the fatigue kicked in and it was like a sledgehammer I’m afraid, I was exhausted!! Thankfully I had mine wrapped around a weekend so could rest up before the final 2 sessions.
My advice would be to moisturise moisturise moisturise as often as you can because I felt my boob was on fire at times. I used Aveeno skin relief for showering and moisturising which helped so much
The fatigue wiped me out (I also have progressive multiple sclerosis so fatigue is a big part of that too and it was possibly a part of my experience [??]). Please rest when you can, drink plenty of water and take each day as you feel you need to.
The staff were awesome and so supportive I found and I’m sure you’ll find the same
I was on letrozole for 5 years but it didn’t play nicely with my MS so my consultant said she was happy for me to stop taking it. It only afforded me 3% protection so I was happy to take the chance
I wish you well, don’t forget you have your BC nurses to guide you too.
Thank you so much Green Queen for your reply I will deffo wear a cami top and Some leg warmers. What side effects did you have later on? Hope are doing very well now xxx
Thank you so much for your reply and reassurance, I too hope it won’t be as bad as I’d imagined,
I’m expecting to feel tired, but I’m hopeful I’ll be able to manage as I still need to work full time. I’ll pick up some Aveeno cream; I’ve also been told that aloe vera is good, so thank you for suggesting that.
I’m in two minds about taking hormone blockers, as I’m not sure whether the side effects are worth such a very low percentage risk of recurrence. I suppose I’ll see how I go and what they recommend for me.
I don’t have my radiotherapy sessions sorted as just had surgery on Wednesday. But I’ve looked reviews up for moogoo moisture cream and going to try that, but I think any will work. A friends who has had chemo suggested cami tops under clothes and also a sanitary towel over the cream also and lots of hydration, massage area and rest. X
hello hen how are you? Thank you so much — the suggestion about using a sanitary towel with moisturiser isn’t something I’d thought of, so I’ll definitely give that a try. Thanks as well for the cream recommendation; I’ll have a look at that.
I hope everything is going as well as possible with you. Wishing you a speedy recovery and feeling better very soon.
I sailed through the treatment without any itching, burning or fatigue (5 whole boob sessions and 5 boosts). 3 months later I got some tenderness, swelling (oedema) and a lump of scar tissue formed where my surgery was. Also fatigue, though this could also be related to being back at work and Christmas stress.
What hormone blockers are recommended for you? I take Tamoxifen and generally get on ok with it. Different brands can sometimes help, as can the time of day you take it. I didn’t get in with the ovarian suppression so well. There are a few thread already about hormone therapy, I’ll see if I can find one to link to.
I had 5 days radiotherapy about 18 months ago. I had a little bit of pinkness but nothing major with my skin. I was told the effects peak two weeks after treatment and right on cue I had a weekend where I was absolutely shattered! I slept a lot and this passed, no issues since.
Hormone therapy, like all treatments, is a personal choice. For me personally, I think even the tiniest of benefits is worth it. I was worried about taking tamoxifen as there are so many stories of people finding it difficult but my experience has been positive. I had a few days where I struggled to get the right word out and a couple of slightly warmer nights but they quickly passed and have no ongoing issues.
Well my friend actually used lanolin! But I’m not heading down that route straight away.
I’m doing well, up and down with emotions - mostly okay. Antibiotic side effect isn’t fun, but I’ve adjusted my diet to small bland portions but I actually like crackers and peanut butter…
Trying to rest in between taking meds etc but all good.
Thanks for asking.
