Hi
Just a quick to you ladies as you’re much further ahead than me. I’m halfway through chemo. What sort of gap can I expect between finishing chemo & starting Rads? Just trying to work out when all this will be over for me.
Twinky x
ChocDrop - I *did* get the form signed - just didn’t think I’d need it as parking free for 30 mins. Still got the (now useless) signed form. Hey ho More funding for the NHS? 
Sloggi bras don’t come big enough for me! At least I’ve been unable to find any to fit 44E otherwise I’d have had them.
Twinky, I declined chemo, so I can’t say for sure what the timing will be, but onc did say RT would start 4 to 5 weeks after end of chemo - (and if that’s just the planning session you could add another week?) I’m sure some other ladies who’ve had chemo will be able to be more accurate/helpful. An end date is so helpful to get through all this isn’t it? I feel so much better now I know when the ‘last lap’ (apart from 2 x hormone therapy + REACT trial drugs) is starting. Love and minimum SEs to all.
Hi Chris
Thanks for the bra info - really helpful. I think I will try a sloggi one and maybe order a couple from Amazon as well. Great about the swimming- I will continue for as long as I can I think.
My birthday is on the 24th! So also thinking about how to celebrate in between zaps
Have a great weekend and those of you who have started rads enjoy the days off.
Marian x
Hello everyone, had my fourth rads today,looking forward to my two days off now. On the subject of bras I got some Ahh bras off ebay they have several suppliers on there. They seem to be okay. I do hope you all have a good weekend. I am very lucky because we have free parking, the radiologist just gives you your ticket at the end of each session. I will be thinking about you xx
Odd isn’t how all Health Authorities are different? At my unit we are given our rads schedules on paper, we show the appointment schedules to the man on car park barrier who then issues a free ticket to exit.
Enjoy your weekend free of rads ladies. Mine start on Thurs, I’ve been preparing my boob by applying aqueous cream regularly. Going to H&B on Sunday to get Aloe Vera Gel.
Wishing everyone a great weekend.
Libby x
Have just started on Tamoxifen last night. I was a bit worried about the fillers in Tamoxifen as well. GP said they can’t state a specific brand on prescription. Went to Boots for first prescription and they only do Wockhardt which has been mentioned as a problem in other threads. Took the chance as didn’t want to hold up starting on it while I tried shopping around since I still have tumours to shrink and want to feel I’m dong something positive while waiting on rads. Only had one night so far, but no problems yet.
On the subject of parking. We get free parking at most hospitals in Scotland apart from a small number of newer hospitals where they had contracts with private companies in place. Only problem is they can have commuters using them as free park and ride facilities so can be harder to get spaces.
hi there, gail5,
just wanted to say i am wockhardt brand of tamoxifen. only started taking it about 4 weeks ago. at moment it seems ok! a couple of hot/sweating spells in night but thats it. i try and take it after something to eat.
also my GP said he could specify on perscription which brand if i wanted - if i found one suited me better in terms of se’s.
TTM xxx
Hello
I seem to be just sneaking into this thread, scheduled to begin 15 rads on 30th April, planning apt on Monday 16th. I am hoping that treatment will not be delayed since I still have a seroma following MX on 28 March.
I want to get this next stage over so we can go to Greece in late May - and swim, of course. When we saw the onc and BCCN last week (after surgeon had inspected MX wound and approved of healing & mobility), they bothe entered into the spirit of getting me “done” in time. Will ask about swimming when I go to planning appointment.
Have been using aqueous cream on my feet since the docetaxel chemo, which was stopped after 2 treatments because it didn’t shrink the tumour, hence the MX. So now I am slathering it one at both ends … Must say that it’s decent stuff to use, doesn’t stain clothes, and sinks into skin easily too.
I have a friend in Northern Ireland who has been through all of this, and she tells me that rads are “wee buns” compared to chemo - hope she’s right!
Best, Mujum
Everything has happened very quickly, having winged a few days ago about delay after delay, and I will start on 26th April, so not quite the last to begin. Lots of encouraging posts from those of you who have started, so I hope not to be too anxious. Still more worried about weak/numb leg, especially as the mdt has requested a scan and that I return to see an onc for a check. Oh, the waiting game again - just thought I was away from that for now.
Anyway, have made myself go for a walk to prove that I still can - OH asked teenage son if he would go with me to help my recovery - teenage son accused him of ‘playing that card again’; teenagers can be quite hurtful sometimes …
There seems to be so much conflicting advice: do/don’t use aloe vera, swim when having rads, take tamoxifen during rads. My latest offering is that my onc has said that I can stop having Herceptin if I wish - he feels that as long as I’ve had 9 weeks of treatment (3 cycles), that is sufficient and that a year is probably too much. But who am I to make that decision? I asked radiographer if I could take a day off rads on Herceptin day, as the whole process takes 3 hours (at home) and the round trip to Leeds is another 3 hours. He didn’t think I should but onc has OKed it, so hooray!
Mujum - I still have a seroma and they seemed fine with it - just hope it doesn’t inflame it.
Saskia
Hi,
Can I join in? I start rads on Monday I did put in for the import trial but was still given the 4.5 weeks everyday! Had my planning the other week and my first herceptin also started tamoxifen the same day so far so good no side effects but really wanting to shift some of this chemo weight!
I’m getting transport to Cheltenham hospital each day which saves me faffing about with parking x
TTM - Good to hear you’re also OK with Wockhardt. I noticed lactose is listed as one of the ingredients, so maybe it’s a problem if you have a food intolerance. It was suggested it might be better to take it at night (so maybe sleep through any SEs) so I thought I’d take it with the evening meal.
Mujum - That’ll be great having a holiday to look forward to at the end. Seems to be the consensus that rads is much easier than chemo, so hoping it’s true.
Saskia - I wouldn’t have thought one day off would make a difference. They seem happy to miss a day if the machine is due for maintenance and for weekends. Hope you get your scan soon and everything is fine. What kind of scan are you getting? I’m having a MRI on 30 April for a lesion on the liver. Surgeon thinks it’s benign but wants to make sure, so know what it’s like waiting for tests.
PP - Good to hear from you again. It’s been a while since you posted on the ‘Starting Chemo in Nov 2011 thread’ so hope you’ve been getting on with life. That’s so handy having transport organised for you. One less thing to have to deal with.
Hi pp, I’m getting rads at Cheltenham too at the moment, what time are your appointments? Most of mine are 9ish as I asked for early ones to ease the parking problem. Might see you there one day, I’m having mine every other day for 5 weeks, starting week 3 next week so I’m there tuesday and thursday next week.
I hope everyone is having a good weekend, the suns out here so happy days.
Weme
I have a dilemm: 15 sessions rads starting 24th April - so presumably finishing, (allowing for Bank Hol on 7th), on 15th May.
Our 30th wedding anniversary is on 2nd June, and I’ve seen a Shearings Coach holiday to Scottish Highlands, 4th - 8th June, that I’d like to book as a W.A. treat and a “thank god that’s over” reward for both my BC and OH’s gradually recovering broken leg. BUT I’m worried I might still be suffering SEs which may spoil my enjoyment of the holiday (and make me not want to spend HOURS on a coach??)I’ve heard that SEs peak at 2 weeks after rads finish, so 29th May; and Onc told me the bigger the surface area of bust the greater the SEs (fantastic! I’m an E cup!! 
) I shall be back at school the following week, hopefully, so I can’t delay the holiday by a week or 2!
Holiday insurance won’t pay up if I have to cancel, if I book whilst undergoing treatment. Don’t know what to do! 
Hi,
Hope you don’t mind me adding to your thread. I finished my rads on the 22nd Feb and went on holiday to the Lake District (from Hampshire) 3 days later.
I did find the soreness and blistering under my breast continued to develop for the first couple of weeks, and wearing a bra was sometimes sore. The nurse gave me some dressings to apply when I finished rads and they were very good. Apart from that I lost my appetite, and felt tired, and that lasted a least 4 weeks. But I still enjoyed the break.
I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a coach break, although if it involved early starts you might find yourself snoozing on the coach!
Lynda
Hi JCJ I finish my rads on 2nd May and I already had a holiday booked for the 14th May, my Oncologist said I should be fine for it. I didn’t tell her the bit where I am the driver and it is 150 miles each way but hey ho I shall do it! I think the holiday with 5 girlfriends will be just what I need. It is a harder decision for you when you haven’t booked yet. What is the latest time you can decide? Best Wishes whatever you choose to do. xx
Hello all!
My it’s been quite busy on here.
JCJ I wou;d just go for it if I were you - it’s not as if you’re driving, you can doze and enjoy the scenery while you’re awake. Have you decided what to do!
Weme sorry I haven’t been in touch, I am doing OK but was getting over nasty bug and starting rads last week so either tired out or at Cheltenham! This week no easier as have Spanish exchange girl arriving Wednesday! Hope your toe is doing OK. I’m in Tues and Thurs this week too but later on so won’t see you. Pink Princess, when are you in? I might see you if you’re there later on in the mornings, give me a PM and we can say hi. M<y appointments=“” are=“” all=“” at=“” so=“” i=“” get=“” there=“” about=“” p=“”>
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Gail I have got the APS tamoxifen and the Generics to try as the pharmacist is giving me one of each. I won’t be able to try the Wockhardt as am lactose intolerant.
I’ve been using aloe vera, my unit said use anything you like, but nothing perfumed. They seem very chilled.
Just one problem - I have got a little swelling in my affected arm, which has been fine up till now (except for the cording of course). I noticed it on Friday, and I’m sure it must be related to the rads. I was really hoping I wouldn’t get lymphoedema, have been religiously doing exercises, and now addding in some lymphatic drainage massage but no change so far. Am seriously depressed about it
Lovely weather, been enjoying the sunshine and feeling relatively normal!
Teresa xx
Fed - up! Day one - machine broke - waited for 2 hours and then sent home - hope this isn’t the shape of things to come.
Marian x
What a PITA Marian. Do they think it will be mended by tomor? I had the same thing when I went for my planning appt, but at least they didn’t keep me waiting although I did have an hour plus round trip and so it pretty much wasted a morning!
Hope everyone is doing ok. I was meant to be starting rads in April, but won’t be able to do so due to the slow healing of one of my wounds after my op on 15th March. I’m soooo fed up as just want to get this over and done with and get on with my life!
Guess I’ll have to join a ‘starting rads in May’ thread… or June …or July…at this rate!
Caroline
xx