Cooking in September/October

[Guest user]

Hi Lesley

yes I have images taken, had some done yesterday then the radiogropher took them to show the onc to check that they are zapping the correct place, which they were otherwise id have to have measurements taken again apparently

Sally x

[dotchas]

Hi Lesley,
Not sure what you mean by images,X-rays? and what do they take them of? ,but I don't get any anyway.
You must be special.LOL!
It seems things vary a lot between centres don't they?
12 down 13 to go!
Dot
xxx

[Guest user]

Hi everyone - 17 down, 8 to go, the end is in sight!!

Is everyone else having images taken every few days? The radiographer tells me this is quite normal but they seem to do them ever so frequently. Just wondered what everyone else's experience is.

Lesley xx

[dotchas]

Suz,

I am having something called a bolus which uses a sort of gel sheet over the area.It means the skin gets a higher dose.My lump was close to the skin.
Sounds a bit odd "brings the cells to the surface" LOL!
I am nearly halfway now,it has gone quite quick.I get 2 blasts so after my first blast tomorrow I will officially be halfway.
My skin is a bit pink and slightly itchy.Underarm is a bit painful too.
Also I am not so tired as I was yesterday.
Love
Dot
x

[Guest user]

Hi all

No 6 today. and had madness 'house of fun'. ive also found that my left armpit (side of macetomy) feels tight, just like after op and am having rads to where the drains were, was just thinking i'l have to mention it tomorrow but have phsyo planned for monday anyway.ar well if thats the worst im gonna get then i can cope with that.

WELL DONE LISA that you cooked to perfection hopefully ad glowing a lovely green clolour xxLOL

hope everyones cooking nicely

love Sally xx

[Guest user]

Well that was number 3 for me and has been fine so far - slapping on the ol aqueous cream twice a day so hoping that helps.
Found it quite strange laying there on the table special when they put a bubble wrap type of plastic onto my chset - does anyone else have this? The nurses say its to bring the cells to the surface - i thought it was to protect my skin but its the complete opposite.

We also have the pinky blossom flowers to look at on the ceiling and have been in 3 different rooms so far and they all have the same picture!

No music for me though!

Suz x

[aliceblue]

Hi all, music for today's zapping - "I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair" - I don't know about the punk rocker thing, but looking forward to putting flowers in my hair (1mm growth this week!).

I'm half-way through - 12 to go. Not sure what to make of my arm though, has anyone else had any trouble? It feels like just after surgery. I had full clearance and having rads under my arm. Radiotherapist said it was normal, but they would keep an eye on it. Some swelling at the top as well - 1/2 cm, first time I've noticed it. By the way no picture on the ceiling - just a cross carved into the ceiling tiles...

Love Alice xxx

[gocat]

Zap 9 today. Left breast getting more pinker by the day plus have spots on my chest but radiologist said that is prickly heat. Other than that ok. Not so tired today.
Yesterday after I came home from the hospital at lunch time fell asleep watching TV and remained asleep for about 4 hours lol. Still managed to sleep ok at night time too.

[annalou24]

Hi all
Today my radiologist said she had looked into 'Pitrock' and discussed it with a colleague. They concluded that for most people it is ok to use, but they couldn't pro-actively recommend it just in case it caused an adverse skin reaction.

I think she was saying (unofficially) that it is ok to use...

My appointment took about 10 minutes today and the actual machine buzzed for 13 seconds approx in each of its 2 positions ( I was trying to time it in my head ).

Hope all ok

Anna

[Guest user]

Lisa, forgot to say well done on finnishing today, you must be so relieved its done

love

Carol xx

[Guest user]

17 down only 2 left to go, cant believe it, its has went in really quickly, really red now. past the pink stage, more tired but other than that im totally excited about finnishing it on Friday!!!

hope all the rest of the rads babes are doing well.

love

Carol xoxox

[gocat]

We dont have any music or pictures on the ceiliing 😞
Had 8 zaps now. Feeling ok but very tired.

[annalou24]

Just been for zap no. 2. The music was an album by "Take That"...! ( think literally, ladies !)

[Guest user]

no 16 today, start of the boosters, it was weird as the machine came really close to me, but again doable. I had a laugh at the music today, Rescue Me !!!! I think they do this deliberately

spoke to the nurse about booking a week in Lanzarote in 6 weeks time and she says I should be fine, but something is holding me back form booking it, I really could do with a holiday after this crap

also I am going to be 43 this week, so my new outlook on life is going to be 43 and cancer free (fingers crossed) as 42 was a bummer year.

hope you are all ok

love n hugs

Carol xx

[Guest user]

Hi Lisa

WOW 1 left.......... cant beleive it , dosent seem 2 weeks since you started, its gone really quick... what now for you then , are you having herceptin.

well done Lisa your nearlly out of the bloody tunnel and after such a bad time with the chemo you deserve it..

my legs still feel really heavy when i walk so walking to school would take me ages. but well done for doing so.

take care Sally xx

[lisa_lisa]

Hi Sally , Julie and all you lovely ladies

14 DOWN 1 TO go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me its been a walk in the park compared to chemo ... which for me was hell I know every one is different but chemo but me to bed !!!! with rads im walking to the school and picking kids up every day which make me and children feel better xxxxxx

Im going on the birmingham meet in a couple of weeks from this forum its all paid for and in really nice country club cant wait some of the othere ladies of this site are going so looking forward to it ..
Speak soon Lisa xxx
good luck every one with treatment ...

[Guest user]

good morning all zapping
im nearly ready for rads , planning nxt wk

music to rad by what a good idea, " let it shine " take that maybe,

but defo not "burn babe burn" lol

sally a third the wat through already well done

anna thanks for deodorate advice, me like sally though have not been sweating much since chemo, and not very many hairs either
going to see my beautiful baby nephew of 6 weeks later, it is raining but not complaining, garden really needed it
julie x

[Guest user]

Hi all

well just had zap No5 so im now a third of the way through, skin seems to be ok so far. i was also told no shaing , but i cant anyway cos of lymph removal and no deodrant, but i havent sweated since i started chemo and have had no hair there for months, hope it dosent come back actually,

well i have disco lights on my cealing while having rads, just need some decent music now and a handbag to dance around and im made lol.

hope everyones doing ok

Sally x

[chipper]

Katie - yes,it is ! is my favourite summery spray...avoid straying too near underarms,but a general spritz which you walk through is very cheering

[Guest user]

Sorry stupid question, I could have looked on google! Having dodgy day with the brain.

[Guest user]

Is Dior Sweet sun by Christian Dior?

[chipper]

the no deo thing and no shaving really bothered me at first but I got used to it and was told one day that I smelled really nice (I'd spritzed myself with Dior Sweet Sun,which is alcohol free and like a summery beach) !

[chipper]

music to have rads by.....
Come on baby light my fire

[annalou24]

Ha ha !!!LOL, we could start a new thread about what music NOT to play in rads treatment room !!!

[dotchas]

I spoke too soon about my skin,its definitely taking on a red tinge in a lovely square shape.Its going to look lovely with my v-neck dress at a wedding reception this Saturday!
So I am going from medium/rare to medium!
And I am knackered!

Anna,I must complain,we have no nice piccies to look at.....George Clooney would do me!

Talking about music,today they were playing "I want to break free"
I was having a lugh with the radiographers and they said they had a CD of Robbie Williams and they had to suddenly chat very loudly to hide "I hope I die before I get old"

Dot
xxx

[annalou24]

Hi all

Well I survived first zapping and all went according to plan. I even found somewhere to park for 20p an hour rather than the free but ludicrously small ( ie. about 30 spaces) hospital facility !

As I lay on the table, looking at the tasteful image of a blossom tree someone had thoughtfully pasted on the ceiling , I was amazed to hear pop music being channelled into the room. The song???Gwen Stefani "Sweet Escape " !! ( first line of chorus, incase you're unfamiliar with it, goes "if I could escape...."!!!.

The zapping machine also had Winnie the Pooh stickers on its underside so I could look at them as it moved around!!!

It didn't last very long. I was out in less than half an hour, and that included a chat with one of the team and plenty of them faffing about with the measurements etc.

I was told NO DEODORANT ( not even Pitrock) and NO SHAVING on affected side until the course is finished. So I am going to look ( and smell) like an ape!!

Suz, how did you get on??

Well that's one down, 14 to go.

Hope everyone's doing ok

Anna xx

[Guest user]

Alice, welcome to this thread, I know what you mean about being red further out, my worst area is actually under my arm, only good thing, its zapped all my hair away, hopefully for good!!!

I put aquouse cream on twice a day, keep it in the fridge and it seems to have done the trick so far, 15 down 4 to go!!!!

take care

Carol xxx

[aliceblue]

Hi, hope you don't mind me joining in. Have had 10 rads so far (3 field), and skin is starting to go red, itchy and sore right up above what once upon a time was my cleavage. I didn't know that they zapped in the middle and have strayed a bit on my right side. They have given me diprobase cream now instead of acq cream (can't spell it either), and said really common to have sore skin at this stage - great 15 to go, so and going to look and feel really good by the time I finish.

How much cream is too much cream? Is it when you put it on, rather than how much is the problem.

Love Alice xxx

[Guest user]

Hope everyone Ok.

Anna - hope your first appt today goes well.

I have been reading with interest all your comments as I waited to know when I started rads. However, been to hospital this morning to see oncologist and I am having chemo treatment first before radiotherapy. Have my first dose next Friday and won't be finished for a few months. So I will wish you all the best as I move to reading threads and comments about chemo which will be more appropriate for me at the moment.

Take care everyone.

Annie

[Guest user]

well thats me finnished "normal" rads, just 4 boosters to go, cant believe how quick it has went, my poor wee boob is really struggling now but ill get there as im on the home run!!!

good luck to everyone this week

love n hugs

Carol xxx

[Guest user]

HI
thankyou all for your advice, hopefully i can ask for morning apps

anna good luck for your first zapping,,,
carole congrats for your last

gennie hope my hospital are abit more on thr ball
julie m x

[annalou24]

Julie,
At my hospital they asked what sort of time I'd like the appointments
I asked for mine to be around 10 ish I could go straight from dropping my daughter at school. When I was given the sheet, several of the appts were at 8.40am , which would be impossible! I had a word with them and they quickly changed the times without any problem. Now they are all at 10.40 apart from the 3 review ones , one of which is at 3.30 and another ( ie TODAY'S!!! MY FIRST ONE!!) is at 2.20. When it's only one or two days out of 15 I can easily get someone else to collect from school.

Good luck everyone

Anna

[dotchas]

10 down 15 to go!
I am starting to feel the tiredness,but my skin is bearing up, I am still medium rare!
I hope everyone had a good weekend.
Love
Dot
xxx

[Guest user]

Carol, meant to say thank you for your nice comment a few days ago about my girls 🙂 Glad your boys are helping you get through this - and really pleased to hear you're finishing on Friday - I have another 11 sessions but the end is in sight!!

Take care

Lesley xx

[Guest user]

hi Julie, prior to staring rads, I bought a really big tub of aqueous cream from bodycare for £1.19, they did however give me some at the hospital the second day I started rads when I seen the bc nurse.

I used patient transport twice and it was a nightmare, I too have 2 boys, day 2, appt 9.30 they picked me up at 9.45 and I got home at 4.45!!!, my father in law now takes me in every day which is fantastic, im back home for 10.15 in the morning so rest of the day to veg out and not do very much, tiredness really kicked in 3rd week!!!

I finnish on Friday, whoopeeeeeeeeeeee

good luck Julie

love

Carol xx

[Gennie]

Hi Julie

I'm 4 doses into 19 rads and I also have young children. I did ask for mid-morning appointments because of school and I'd say about 75% of my appointments are do-able in school hours. However my first 4 were at 6pm for some reason and I'm an hour away from the hospital, so I had to get someone to sit with my children until DH got home. A few of my appointments are at 2pm, which should be just about ok but then I've had one hour delays on my appointment time twice already so I'm arranging back-up for the children just in case I don't make it home on time. Most of mine are at 11.30 though, which is perfect.

That's at Addenbrookes though, your hospital might be slightly more efficient. That said, on Friday I went in 20 minutes early and was done and out of the hospital before my appointment time even came around. No rhyme or reason to it!

[Guest user]

hi
got my planning app for 14th oct, so will be joining you all soon
were do i get aq cream from(cannot spell), pitrock should be ok as it has not metals and is natual,
can anyone help, do you get a choice in times, as i have two boys who i have to get to school and home again, i do drive but was going to go on the hospital bus as parking is terrible at the hospital, so really need mid morning apps thanks

thankyou for all the tips so far

hugs julie m x

[Guest user]

Hi Shenay, all I can say is that up until the middle of last week I was feeling fine and today I feel absolutely totally and utterly exhausted. I've had 14 of 25 so still another two and a bit weeks to go. I collapsed on the sofa this afternoon and just zonked right out - I was planning to do some walking this weekend but just couldn't summon the energy. I'm just going to have early nights, eat properly, drink lots of water and be gentle with myself for the final two weeks.

Lesley xx

[Guest user]

I have had two session,13 to go, tiredness has not kicked in yet, they are getting better now as befor i was kept waiting up to 45 mins.I was told to drink plenty of water and when tiredness kicks in about two weeks to fight at and do walking as much as i can.

when did anyone first notice the fatigue?please advise.

[gocat]

I was told not to use any soap whatsoever in that area but can use pitrok deodrant. Strange how we are all told different things.
Got told off for using too much aqueous cream lol. Had been told previous day that I could use the cream up to 2 hours before my appointment so had slapped some on in the morning. Was 3 hours later at my appointment that I was told Im using too much.

Had 6 sessions so far. Skin ok but nipple still sore but not so sore as few days ago which I put down to slapping on too much aqueous lol.

Surprised how tired Im getting though.

Good luck to all those starting soon x

[Jellylegs]

Hi Anna,Yes the planning was fine I had a CT scan then I was marked up. I was told not to use deodorant because some contain metal and to use baby soap on my skin, but no perfum. I've found a really comfy cotton bra in Asda £5.99. Post opp bra which contains my chicken fillet. Hope we do not shrink too much,fingers crossed.

[annalou24]

Yes hope you do too!
What time is your appt? Mine is 2.20pm.
Have you been given any advice about creams, soaps, shaving, bras etc?
I've been told aqueous cream ( like you) Simple soap, go braless if it becomes a problem . They didn't say anyhting about shaving or deodorant so I will ask on Mon. I have bought a Pitrock deodorant just in case( it's a natural crystal thingy...)
Good luck !

Anna x

[Guest user]

Thats good then Anna - we can go through this together then and compare notes!
Hope you get on okay on Monday.
S

[annalou24]

Suz,exactly the same, no boosters either !

Jellylegs, glad you finally got your planning meeting. Did it go ok?
Anna x

[Guest user]

Hi Anna,
Am having 15 sessions - what about you?

S x

[Jellylegs]

Hi, Had my planning yesterday,so I'm now the proud owner of three tatts. And I always said I would never have any!!!lol
I start 15 rads in two weeks. Just off to Matalan to buy some cheap cotton tops (((((((hugs to everyone)))))

[annalou24]

Hi Suz
We're in the same boat, I start on Monday too ! How many are you having ?

Anna xx

[Guest user]

Hi ladies,
Newbe to this thread, but am about to start rads on monday and bit apprehensive.
Read all the posts with interest & got my aqueous cream all ready, but would be grateful for any tips to help me through this.

Thanks

Suz

[hollymeg]

Hi there everyone, sally told me to come over and join your great thread. Got a meeting with radiograher on wed, not sure what that is all about. Its not planning, i know that.

Luv pauline xxx

[Guest user]

Hi Sally, ive just finnished my 3rd week and can honestly say im totally knacked, the tiredness has been a nightmare this week, but he ho, I finnish next Friday, a bit scary that, hopefully thats the end of my bc journey, fingers and toes crossed!!!!!!!

love n hugs

Carol xxxxxx