April Showers - Radiotherapy

[ollisj6]

Woohoo just back fro hull 15/15 done I think the radiographer thought I was barmy I burst in to tears I felt so emotional she was so sweet though she said many many ladies getting near the end of treatment feels the same so chemo tick radio tick herceptin until January but that's only every 3weeks onwards and upwards now love Judi xxx

[13gerbera]

Thanks Cheryl, hope your Mum is doing OK? Must be hard for both of you to have such massive traumas going on at the same time.

SueBee so sorry to hear about your beloved cat.  I lost one of mine this time last year at 15 yrs old and was heartbroken but I still have his brother Dollop to cuddle and adore.  

Francine I hope you got some sleep last night and today is better for you.  I've looked at all the horrible things you and everyone else are having to deal with and decided that I really have no right to be snivelling so have decided to get over myself and keep my snivels confined to wiping my snotty nose (3rd cold in 4 months, harumph!)

xx

Sharon

[Chez666]

Hi Francine, hope dotty drip and Mollie medication have been good to you over night, I am in Newmarket today so slightly nearer to you so hoping a super strong hug and love will help dry those snivels, but you are Deffo entitled to them, this is absolutely pants for you and I bow at your feet for not snivelling sooner. Hope the weekend brings you a release date if not I shall Pop in, tell them a joke or 3 and they will be be signing your discharge papers x x x
Sue sorry about your cat, my beloved Gus is still missed by us all he was 13 but he lived longer than brother who only made it to 6. They do become such a part of our lives
Sharon, sending you big hugs and I shall wave and blow kisses as I approach the m25 and hope wherever you are in London you get them. It's a shame that the course was spoil and you are now snivelling too, so wrap up, lots of choccy and perhaps a hot toddy before bed. X x x

[Lorraine43]

Thank you everyone for making me feel welcome. It's put a smile on my face to finally be able to share & read the reality of treatment and not keep it all in. 😃

[Fuffs123]

Ah Sue, so sorry. I lost my two 12 yr old cats a few years ago and I was devastated, since I'd had them since kittens. I still carry their tags in my purse and miss them still. Sending hugs from chaotic Kettering! Xx Francine

[Fuffs123]

Hi Sharon.
Of course, i vote you are entitled to a good snivel! You looking for HR work again! Wish you lived nearer me, I'm desperate for someone good to help me in the business! Your skills would be so valuable. Fortunately, we are a very BC friendly company, lol. Dotty Drip is driving me mad, beeps as soon as you move your arm and can't be stopped unless a nurse comes. Unlikely with tonights staffing level. Night night all xx

[suebeehoney]

Dear Snivel Club,
I had to put my seventeen year old cat to sleep then go to radiation 😞
Sue

[13gerbera]

Hi Chief Sniveller, can I come to the extraordinary meeting too please as I could do with a good weep?

Today

- I have a severe case of manflu, runny nose and all

- monthly hormonal blues have set in

- my radiated boob is shedding skin and my armpit now has little blisters which are sore

- I went on a training course this morning and HATED it.  Course itself was good but I absolutely loathed one of the attendees and it spoiled the course for me

- having just looked at my finances, it seems I'm going to have to find myself a job rather more quickly than I had planned.  Which is a problem as I don't feel nearly well enough to jobhunt yet 😞

But (and just call me Pollyanna here :)) at least I'm not in hospital or suffering any serious physical distress and have no friends called Cathy Catheter or Simon Syringe.  Poor you, hope you feel better soon

xx

Sharon

[Fuffs123]

Well ladies I am officially convening an extraordinary meeting of the Snivel Club. Needs must! For the uninitiated, the club's motto is 'I'm fed up of being positive all the time, just let me have a good snivel'. Anything which demands a good snivel, sore and manky boobs, constant nerve wrenching waiting for results, insensitive med staff and of course dodgy bowels now (especially having to wear a nappy like a baby) qualifies for snotty noses and then copious choccie (not me of course, have to make do with a digestive biscuit, bliss) Being the master of innappropriate howlers, such as the tumour mayo sarnie, I am happy to report that I have just texted my OH to say that I fancy a bowel of porridge!! It's chaos on the ward tonight, agency nurses don't know where anything is, beds are being moved around like some intricate dance (having to keep the non mixed sex bays correct) and phones ringing incessantly. Looks like another sleep deprived night in Kettering GH. still I have a made a very close friend, who keeps me company, Cathy Catheter. She goes everywhere with me, so thoughtful. Signing out. Xxx Francine

[Sunflower57]

No 10 session done today My breast is very pink now & Im getting twinges from the WLE scar when I bend over. I hope I don't have to go bra less, I'd definitely have to work at home everyday. Really glad it's Friday & we have the weekend off from traveling to & from the hospital Hope the weather is kind to us all.

Eileen728 I had a similar experience, I went to the hospital cafe & the chap, who's been undoing & doing my poppas & moving me about for the treatment, was in there eating his lunch I felt embarrassed, but I don't suppose they give it a second thought.
Nebsminty Yes We are nearly done 😀
Francine Hope you are feeling better soon x

[eileen728]

Oh Francine you seem to be really going through it. Really hope you feel better soon.
I agree Andrea that sunshine makes everything feel better -though maybe not if you are stuck in Kettering hospital.
And this afternoon I saw the young man who wrestled with my poppers disappearing up the corridor so maybe I really did frighten him.
Nebsminty - I was told this afternoon to go bra-less as the radiologist ( radiographer/ therapist - never sure who is who) said skin more likely to break down under the breast if bras rub.
Hope everyone has as good a weekend as possible xxx

[AG65]

Francine so sorry to hear you have been so ill. Hope you start to feel better very soon. OH sounds like a good support to you. They really are amazing wouldn't have coped without mine.

Nebsminty, Sparkle, Eileen, Judi and Sunflower glad all going well for you. Hawkeye hope your wound is holding up.

Had 6/15 last night. Swelling hasn't got any worse which is good. So far I have either been in on time or gone in early which is a bonus.

Next session is this evening and then can enjoy the weekend. Hope the weather stays good for us all. The sunshine makes such a difference.

Andrea x

[Fuffs123]

Hello ladies. Just a quick post to let you know I'm still in the land of the living, if you can call Kettering Hospital living!! Rushed in on Sunday with terrible abdo pains and no blood pressure. Turned out to be loss of blood supply to the bowel. Today was allowed a small ice-cream, heavenly. Slowly improving and looking like I might be able to avoid surgery and the delight of a temp stoma. At least I've forgotten about the BC for a bit.lol. Touch wood might be out next week but my poor veins, none working left in my arms at the moment.
OH doing an amazing job keeping my business going and coming to see me. 💖💖xx Francine

[nebsminty]

Gosh Judi, can't believe you've only 1 left! Hopefully everything carries on holding up ok. I had herceptin this week too on Wednesday. That was a day, local hospital in the morning for the injection and then the Marsden for rads later in the afternoon. I've just had my 9th herceptin so half way through the course. I tend to ache most of the time anyway so not sure if things get worse just after the injection. I do get headaches and a head rush like I've had too much caffeine on the day and then a dodgy tummy for a few days but other than that seem to be ok

Eileen and sparkle, nearly 1 week down - yeah! It's amazing how quickly it all passes. I had to laugh at the thought of a young man grappling with boobs and poppers or was it poppers and boobs!

Sunflower, like you I've just had no 10. They took me in early yesterday and today which was great. The scar tissue under my skin (so not the scar itself) is starting to get quite hard and was giving me a few painful stings yesterday. I'm about as pink as they would expect me to be but they couldn't predict how I would end up. The lady did say my bra looked as though it was a little too tight based on the mark it had left on my skin which might cause problems. So I think I might try going bra-less a bit to see if that helps

Enjoy the weekend off, hope we get some sunshine to enjoy

[Sparkle-at-50]

4/20 completed. Moisturing with the aqueous cream the hospital gave me. So far so good.

Hugs

Sparkle

xxx 

[eileen728]

I've nearly done my first week - 4/15. No reactions yet but they told me yesterday it might hit me at the weekend - good of them!! Someone mentioned them doing the poppers - think I know why now. Got myself in such a tangle yesterday I had to be rescued - and typically by a very young male technician who I had never seen before. Hope the site of a mangled breast wasn't too traumatic for him. I expect he will get used to it in that job.
Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.
Eileen xx

[ollisj6]

Hi ladies 14/15 it has gone quicker than anticipated apart from feeling tired I'm ok feel achy today but I had my herceptin yesterday and I always feel under the weather for a few days after that but another lovely sunny day in Scarborough so will be a pleasant ride to hull love judi xx

[Sunflower57]

That's number 9 session done & dusted today Feelibg pleased that I haven't needed the Aloe Vera gel yet, although I feel very tired today Early night for me 💤

[nebsminty]

Great news AG. At least you can keep moving forwards with the treatment

[Hawkeye]

AG65, Thats good news hope its quick this evening xx

[AG65]

Hi everyone

welcome Lorraine hope you are finding the forum helpful. You know you are not alone when you come on here.

The oncologist isn't concerned about the swelling from a side effect point of view but there was concern that my breast would be changing shape etc with the swelling so obviously there could be a problem with me getting correct coverage. The radiographers had checked with planning and all ok so good news.

6/15 this evening so almost at the halfway mark.

Andrea x

[nebsminty]

Lorraine, I second holding your head high as you've been through a lot to get where you are. But, I do agree with getting used to the looks. I found when I went to the cancer unit in my local hospital I was acutely aware of people looking at me where I was oblivious elsewhere. I put it down to being a very real reminder that it was a cancer unit and was perhaps making things all to real for those people waiting to have tests. Now I'm having rads at the Marsden, everyone there has cancer so no one bats an eyelid!

Hawkeye, I agree about getting into the routine. The only thing to look forward to is which members of staff I'm having as it seems to be different every day!

Sunflower, yea to being halfway through 🙂 and even better a day working at home. I'll be halfway on Friday - where is the time going, it seems to be flying by

AG sounds like you have quite bad swelling if your measurements have changed? My breast has definitely swollen but more along the lines of post op swelling. It's pink now and the scar tissue was quite sore today and getting harder. But on the whole all good. Hope the team can sort things out for you

[pandorra1]

Well done Lorraine, I am sure the looks you were getting were not bad, hold your head high, and just remind yourself how special you are. The ladies on here are phenomenal and the help and advice is fantastic. Let us know how you getting on and sending millions of hugs xxxxxxx

[Lorraine43]

Hi.. I'm a newbie here. I had no:11 rad done today out of 20. I had surgery right side and chemo. I'm starting to get very red now all over breast and nipple is very burned. Am applying the cream regularly as instructed. I love listening to radio when I'm in for the session. I agree it's weird having people stare at your chest. Yesterday I was marked for the tumour site dense dose for last 5 sessions. My hair is just back and head is covered so I've braved it without wig for past week.. Today I got funny looks in the hospital walking through to radio dept. It took the wind out of me on way in for session. 1st day I noticed people staring. Anyway it's great to join this forum and feel like everyone understands 😄

[Hawkeye]

Had my third today, they called me to see if I could go early. I have to have my rupture wound packed and dressed daily in the morning so I have a gap before I have to leave for the hospital and I find myself just waiting until its time to leave I can't concentrate on much else so I got myself off straight away. I have noticed a little swelling but it didn't seem to make much difference today. Straight to work when I got back (after rubbing in the cream of course). Don't you think its weird how quickly you get into the routine?

[Sunflower57]

Yea I'm over half way through my treatment No 8 of 15 done today The machine was being repaired when I arrived today There were already 2 other patients in the waiting room so I though I was in for a long wait Turned out my appointment was before theirs 😁 I worked from home today Got lots done

[AG65]

Hi everyone

4/15 done. Radiographer has got to discuss with my oncologist about the amount of swelling I have. My measurements have changed already. Is anyone else suffering from swelling?

Nebsminty I can agree with you it is weird laying there whilst they take measurements and draw on you!

Can't believe after today I will be a third of the way through treatment.

Hope everyone is ok

Andrea x

[13gerbera]

Hi ladies,

I'm a left-sider too but I asked the radiotherapy planners to show me my scans/plans and they explained that some of it comes down to individual anatomy  - luckily my heart is small and quite central so wasn't hard to avoid and no breath holding required.

xx

Sharon

[Nenya]

Seems like diff places have diff ways, cos mines on left too 😕

[happywanderer]

I asked as mine was on left side but at Wedton Park they don't do breath holding

[Judithvr6]

I'm left side and wle was for deep against my chest wall but no-one mentioned holding my breath.

Maybe I'll phone and ask... or wait till 1st session next Wednesday.

[Sparkle-at-50]

Hi Junash

Hope you get started soon, every bit of this seems to involve waiting.

Hugs

Sparkle

xxx

[Junash]

Hi all

Just popping over from the October 14 chemo forum.

My rads were due to start today but they had real problems lining up the machine to my tattoos - they tried for ages shifting me here, there and everywhere. Back again tomorrow for another try. Just want to get the process started. Chemo was kind to me, am hoping radiotherapy will be as kind - despite this dodgy start.

[nebsminty]

Yep! Only left sided cancers - and at my hospital only those in the lower half - need you to hold your breath. According to my paperwork 'voluntary breath holding' is to reduce the risk of 'radiation induced heart disease'.

Oh my!

[Sunflower57]

I'm not told to hold my breath Is that because my lump was in my right breast? 😬

[nebsminty]

No modesty gowns here! Once they've marked me up they do cover up my good side with the gown.

What I find weird is lying down and having someone getting a ruler out and measuring marks from my tattoos before drawing on me. And then breathing in and out to get into the right breath hold position whilst two people are staring closely at my chest!

[happywanderer]

I've used the Joker card when I get cold calls from companies offering me life insurance and pre paid funeral plans it stops them dead in their tracks. I wouldn't mind but until I was diagnosed with bc I never had any of these calls

Still plodding along with the sessions not long now
Jane x

[Sunflower57]

Judithvr6 - I so wanted to play the radiotherapy treatment card yesterday. Today same person was ok with me with the emails, so I'll let it go...
Session 7 over & done with today I'm given a hospital gown each day to 'wear' whilst the treatment is going on Does anyone else find it odd to have people undoing & doing up the poppers on the gown?

[suebeehoney]

Also, Nebsminty I can soooo relate!
And glad you got started Sparkle!
Sue

[suebeehoney]

Hi Ladies,

Not to sound confused (but I am) learning as I go, but it just sunk in that the radiation area is the only area where they are trying to reduce recurrence of cancer. But it can come back anywhere.

I too am not connecting well with my team in communicating. Had a very hard day yesterday and today.

Halfway through though 14 of 28! Seems like the daily routine is taking a toll. I have blisters! But I'm trudging the road to happiness! Almost done I'll keep thinking.
Sue

[Sparkle-at-50]

Hi everyone

Broken machine now repaired and I finally had my first session today, after it was meant to start last Thursday. It was a bit weird. I thought they were just taking more x-rays but when they came back in they said that was it done. They didn't actually say "You're treatment is away to start". I was in for longer today as they had to reposition some of the stickers which had moved (due to me getting sweaty while walking). 

I have been given a gown to wear during treatment so only one boob exposed while lying on slab. I have to get changed into gown before going into treatment room. Happier now that treatment has started.

Hugs

Sparkle

xxx

[nebsminty]

Welcome Judith :-).

I find my team lovely but not necessarily the best conversationalists. They just seem to want to get the job done and move into the next one!

As I mentioned before, after working through chemo and two surgeries, I'm now taking it easy for the next few weeks. I am checking emails and keeping in touch with the office but am not planning on going back until the end of May at the earliest. I'm amazed at those of you still working as I just couldn't do it - way too tired now - but then again someone might have said that to me when I headed into the office one week after a chemo infusion!

I'm now 7 down, 13 to go and bored of it all already.... Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out and a big breath now. 1,2,3,4....... I'll be saying it in my sleep soon!

My skin has definitely turned pink now and you can see a the outline of the area being scanned. Wonder how much worse it's going to get?

Hope everyone else is good and those that are able are enjoying this beautiful weather

[Kittkatt]

Ha, ha - I must not be mature enough! A Joker was exactly what I felt like I was playing when my boss demanded I attend a meeting at what I thought unreasonably short notice . "Sorry, I have an appointment with my oncologist" brought a very rapid end to the discussion. I'll try not to abuse my new and potent power😜
Kitt
X

[Judithvr6]

E-mail argument... do you ever feel the urge to add something about not having time for this... I've a radiotherapy appointment to go to??

First time round I really felt like I needed to play that 'joker' or 'trump card's when ever someone was being the jobs worth or not providing reasonable levels of service.

So far this time I've not felt like that... maybe I've matured, mellowed, got more worldly wise in all those years 😉

[Sunflower57]

Session 6 over & done with It went quick today Met another patient who is from Dymchurch It was her last session today I gave her my contact details as she lives nearby She was surprised I'm working round my appointments I had an email argument with someone in another department before leaving the office, so I've been wound up all day & wonder if I should be at work! Perhaps I'm just having an angry day Who knows xx

[Judithvr6]

Evening.
I'm offically April showers.

I had my planning today. The planning ladies seemed to appreciate my sense of humour but maybe they have heard it all before and were just being polite??

Anyone else asked if the nurse had been to art college before she started drawing on you?

And I got new tattoos. They didn't seem to like the ones from years ago so with those 2, 3 new ones and my 'real' one I've now got 6.. Rock chick.. that's me.

Reasonably regular times. 12 sessions at 4pm, 1 a little earlier and 2 after 5pm. Oh the joys of the traffic.. I can't wait.

J

[AG65]

Hi Jaye

thanks for the tip. Will be taking a bottle of water with me tomorrow. I have been putting cream on for the last 4 weeks so will see how it goes.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

x

[nebsminty]

And to those of you facing 18 months waits for follow ups, that seems incredibly long.

My hospital do annual mammos for five years and for me have taken the anniversary of when I was first diagnosed (by the idiot if you've read my last post!)

So here I am only a qtr of the way through rads which finish in May, a follow up appt with the radiotherapy consultant in June and my first annual mammo in July. I won't feel as if I've time to draw breath before being put on the monitoring regime!

[nebsminty]

The idiot hospital locum I saw when I went in for my first lot of tests (I'd picked up the lump myself) said that the lump 'was a bit of a stonker'

He didn't know how to do a core biopsy so the nurse dragged in another surgeon who was heading off to theatre and got him to do it. The idiot had already told me I had cancer 'I'm afraid it's bad news but I think you already knew that'???!? Even though they hadn't got the biopsy results back to be 100 % sure.

I tried to keep positive and joked that I was going away at the weekend and for the first time in ages I didn't have to be mum, worker, cleaner, just me. And how it now had a whole new meaning. Idiot pipes up 'and you didn't think you'd be going with a hole in your tit'.......

I still haven't decided whether I should complain about him. I've never seen him again - I would have refused if I'd had to- but once I got into treatment I just wanted to put my head down and get on with it

[13gerbera]

Blimey Katie, I think that comment might need to go on the 'things not to say to a cancer patient' thread! Hope you referred him/her to the local charm school for a few lessons in tact & diplomacy!

xx

Sharon