oooh didnt think about the epsom salts being metal based. good job you pointed it out to me. i’ll have to just soak my legs in the bath I think as thats what I use it for anyway severe leg pain. , just like I did after the op, then I just wahed to top end quickly.
I saw the onc today, the pain and swelling is normal anyway so they’re not worried about me. I will ask about epsom salts next week, but leave them off for now ta!
Hi all. I just wondered how long after your last chemo session you all had to wait for your planning meeting and then start radiotherapy.
Also I am planning to go back to work on the 4th of Feb, with 2 sessions of Taxotere and 6 weeks of radiotherapy to go. Is this a bad idea???
Thanks. Debbie. xx
Hi Debbie
I had my planning meeting for radiotherapy before I finished chemo. My last chemo was 2nd Dec and I started rads on 4th Jan but it would have been sooner except for the Xmas break.
I am signed off work for Jan but have gone in for 3 hours for the last 2 days by my own choice but find I get very tired. Have just had chat with the doc and he does not advise working during rads at all and says even when I finish rads I shouldn’t go back to work full time for a while but phase back in gradually. He said not to underestimate what the accumulative effects of chemo (I also had taxotere) and rads do to your body, the effects continue after treatment finishes and it can take several months, even a year to get over them. If you try to do too much too soon it can seriously hinder your recovery, he told me.
So I would say yes it’s a bad idea for you to go back to work on 4th feb!!! but go and have a chat with your own doc about it as everyone is different. I was very fit and healthy before I was diagnosed and the months of treatment have left me feeling like an old woman but I am determined to get fit again, maybe not as good as before but as good as I can!
We just have to listen to our own bodies I suppose, we know them better than anyone! It’s the guilt factor with me to a degree, I’ve been off work for most of the last 6 months, on full pay and I feel I should go back as soon as possible. Also, when people say I look well I think they’re also meaning that if I look well I should be back to normal which I’m far from feeling!
Good luck anyway and take care
Dae x
I solved the Epsom salts dilema! Asked a senior radiographer today. Basically anything metal based that you put on your boob wont interfere with treatment but it will cause a severe skin reaction. She saids you’ll only ever do it once so it must be bad! As I’m not osaking my top half now anyway and I didnt have a reaction before then I can go ahead and use it. it is very diluted dont forget not like slapping Sudocrem on your boob.
Thanks to all of you for advice an for making me think
Thanks Dae for the advice. I am seeing my oncologist tomorrow so hoping he will give me some advice and some time frames.
Debbie. xx