Halfway through

[ValS1]

I retired a year ago last Nov & got the BC diagnosis end of Nov last year, little did I know when I finished work (I'm 62) that almost exactly 1 year on I would be going through all this its been such a shock, my husband is still working & I was determined to fill my time wisely doing the things I like and the first year was good, till the bombshell. I was recalled after a routine mammogram so feel fortunate it was found through screening, but its shocking that I was oblivious that I had cancer as I had not felt a lump or had any symptoms, My diagnosis was stage 1 BC no spread, do had lumpectomy & anastrazole for 5 yrs plus radiotherapy. My friends and family have been great, but Its a long haul isnt it and the psychological side of it takes much longer which some people don't really understand. So, now I'm halfway through the Rad and in a strange way its not so bad as I feel proactive getting to the hospital every day and hope it does the job so I don't have any recurrence,. All the best to everyone and have a good week, we can do this! 🙂

[SamanthaL]

I worked three - fours days a week throughthetreatment - started at 8.30 and sometimes after 6.30 pm. Most down time is in bed or at least on the sofa. Itches and pain came only after my 20 sessions. Tiredness in now peaking ten days after.
I had chemo and surgery (x2) before this mind you, which could be why changing the bed even wears me out!

[ThePianist]

Hello Everyone.

I am a teacher and I started my rads in August during the holidays. I booked them all for immediately after lunch (less chance of being too delayed!) and went to work in the morning. I then went straight to the hospital and then to school to collect my son. I was rehearsing a show at the time and so two nights a week I went out in the evening as well. Ok, yes I was totally knackered by the end but there was a part of me that would not be beaten and a part of me that was feelin quite 'high' knowing that it was the final step. However we deal with it we mustn't forget this is the final stage and that is fantastic. 

My journey started in June and I have gone full steam ever since. I know I need to start taking it easier as I am not kind enough to myself, but this final stage is a walk in the park. I creamed up twice a day from the week before therapy started, and I went slightly pink in the third week. The itching continued for 10 days after the last session and then subsided exactly on cue, It was exactly what I was told would happen. The cream I used came from the hospital and was called Aqua Max. It worked a treat! I resisted scratching and used aloe vera gel from the fridge if I really felt I needed to scratch. It sounds like a real pantomime but it is for such a short time if you consider everything else we have gone through. 

Good luck with your rads - end of chapter just ahead!

Gill

x

[ValS1]

Hi, I'm retired so not a concern for me. I'm not sure what people do re work, on a practical level it can be time consuming getting to the hospital and waiting around. I was able to say what time of day I prefer & all my appointments are late p.m. I am sure other ladies will respond on here to your query. Good luck with your radiotherapy 🙂

[Sunflower57]

Hi All I'm waiting to see the Oncologist & Radiotherapist to plan my radiotherapy treatment. Can I please ask whether you have been going to work or have been signed off whilst going thru your treatment? TKU in advance.

[ValS1]

I haven't done much all day today but still feel tired, but it may be that today is the first day all week when I haven't had to get to the hospital, you don't realise the toll it takes until you stop, not complaining though.

[SamanthaL]

Yes, someone said it is radiation sickness after all. I'm sat by the fire watching the rugby, waves of tiredness, but I can enjoy somethings. Not like the chemo. But the powerful tiredness reaches out beyond what I thought it could. Boob is a funny colour, and it is sore. However, I do feel it's manageable.

[ValS1]

Am expecting such things will probably kick in further down the line, its such a strange process isnt it because during the treatments it seems like nothing, you lie there for a few mins each day listening to the music and the machine bleeping and then its done for another day, whereas in fact its a very powerful thing our bodies are taking, and bound to have some side effects.

[SamanthaL]

Now finished.
Skin didn't break or blister til after four weeks, and exhaustion only really kicked in now, five weeks after my first rads. Was advised to now take a short break ( a few days) rather than soldiering on at work. Let's see if u can!

[eileen728]

That's encouraging! I am not starting until April but good to know when not as bad as I fear. Hope it continues to go well xx

[ValS1]

Hi, I have done 7 days of the 15 of my radiotherapy sessions, all gone well so far, I have felt very tired each evening but am sleeping fine. Skin has only just started feeling a bit itchy (not wanting to scratch it, just feels tickly under the skin) and pinking up very faintly, am doing as told by hospital and applying Aqueous cream each evening, also smear that across treatment area while showering to protect the skin. So far haven't had to wait to long for my slot, staff wonderful very chatty and friendly & nice music playing in the room while I have it done. Bit bothered about what my skin will be like after another 7 days, but onwards and upwards!