I have my appointment for my rads planning on the 18th November, although it may not happen on this day as I am still very bruised and sore - 3 weeks today since WLE and SNB, saw the oncologist yesterday and she said they will decide on the day if planning will happen. I have a 1½ hour trip each way to the hospital and don’t want to have a wasted journey.
Is there anything I can do to make the bruising and swelling go down (also on 20mg Tamoxifen) as I just want to get the rads over with.
I have been told arnica tablets help, my surgeon said it was absolutely ok to take them, so i shall be giving them a go in the week leading up to my op and for a while afterwards.They might help you too?
I was told about arnica for brusing way before I had BC mainly for bruising from injections when going through our IVF.
Wasn’t sure if it was safe to take along with the tamoxifen. I have heard that you could get arnica as a cream or tablets. May ask at the pharmacy tomorrow.
had my rads planning today, all marked up, not tatooed but pen marks all over chest with tagaderm over the top. My choice as to whether I want tatooing next time I go. However the next time I go is for radiotherapy treatment on 24 November, also due a fitting for my prosthesis that day too. So should come away with some lovely new boobs. Did you get your planning Maria? I also took arnica immed after my op and I think it helped with the brusing.
Yes got my planning done yesterday, saw the consultant who was happy that the bruising and swelling had gone down well enough, so CT scan and 3 tatoos done, such a relief as just want it over with now, not starting until 2nd December though so last one planned for 22nd December just in time for Christmas.
Great to hear you had your planning too, I didn’t know you had a choice not to be tatood, but oh well its done now. Bet you are looking forward to getting your new boobs soon too.
Take care and keep in touch when you start rads and let me know how you get on.
Hi Maria
At least you got your planning done, I know what you mean just wanting it all over, me too. I started rads 24 Nov. Nothing to it really. You just lay there and let them move you around. The table you lie on moves, the equipment moves. They gave me a blouse to wear which I keep until I am finished, The blouse drops down at the front so only the part that needs rads is exposed. I think this is better cos it helps to keep you just a little warmer, as its darn cold in that room. Its just a bit frightening when everyone leaves the room and you are on your own, its then I start thinking, I must try not to breathe…otherwise I will move everything…all you hear is the machine clicking on. To me it feels like something from star wars. They are giving me rads in 3 places so after each blast they come and set it up again. I have 3 areas done on Mon and Thurs, and 2 areas done the rest of the week.
I am surprised they did not give you the option of tatooes. Incidentally I went to get my new silicone boobs and the BCN would not give me them, she said I had to wait until rads over because they can make your chest wall sore on top of rads, she thought I would be tempted to use them. Dissapointed! Anyway I finish rads on 19 December before christmas so should get new boobs the week after. All I want for Christmas is my two front boobs…lol. Let me know how your sessions go.
Angela x