JAN RADS

[didi]

Well done Ele ..its a nice feeling isnt it not having to go back

Ive referred myself to the genetics team as my mum had ovarian ca just to see if they are linked and if they are my daughter will be pre warned and there are then other options for me 

hope everyone is well still got some soreness with dry skin but not too bad 

Di xx

[nickif]

Yeah!!! :D... well done Ele xxxx

[Jill1998]

Well done Ele,it's a good feeling to be free!!!!

[Ele J]

Finished!!!

[Ele J]

Only 4 left now...as long as no more cancelled! Sorry to hear you are sore Kaz, hope it improves. I've managed to avoid soreness so far...lots of E45 but also gone without a bra most days to avoid friction.

Glad you finishers are enjoying your freedom...can't wait to join you! Hope everyone else is good x

[Kazglass]

Thank you mine is quite sore seeing breast nurse tommorow so will see what she says hope you are ok kazx

[nickif]

I have just got some cream from doctors as still so itchy, had a dry skin on my nipple too. Hope yours settles down Kaz xx

[didi]

yes lets hope february is a better month , still feels strange not going to therapy but i come to the hospital every day anyway for work 

not long now Ele 

i had a sore bit with some dry skin on my nipple but just slapped on more lotion so not too bad now

hope everyone is well otherwise

Di xx

[Kazglass]

Well done for getting through Jan ladies keep putting on the cream I forgot for a few days and now have a bad burn under arm and stiff shoulder .

[nickif]

How did the last of the January girls go? Heres to a better month of Feb, I have loved not having to go to hospital every day xx

[nickif]

Nearly there Ele.... Yesterday was a bit weird to be honest but today I was at work and it was lovely just to be normal! No thinking about hospital...My boob is just so itchy!!!! Not the best when you work reception and you just want to give it a scratch lol!!

[Ele J]

Congrats girls! Hope it feels as good as you anticipated! My 15th session of 20 today has been cancelled as one of the machines is broken down 🙁 Means I will finish at least a day later than planned but no biggie in the scheme of things. Skin still ok and no tiredness to speak of. Trying to persuade myself to go out for a run with my bonus free time...

Hope everyone else is doing ok x

[tat4tit]

Congratulations Didi and Nicki, enjoy celebrating 🙂  Hugs, tat xx

[Jill1998]

It's a good feeling,enjoy your celebration Sat night Nicki.

[nickif]

yeah!!!!!!! me too, had the longest delay of an hour and half but worth the wait. Just said to my husband how nice it was to give that gown back 😄 😄 😄 

Jill, I will be having a little drinkie tonight but not too much as work tomorrow... Out on Saturday night to celebrate getting to the other end!

[Jill1998]

I drank whole bottle of bubbly myself and burnt my bra in the bbq to mark the occasion .(I had to wear bra through rads due to floppy boobs!!!).

[Jill1998]

Well done Didi ,it's a bit of a marathon but you did it,it's a weird feeling when you finish active treatment .

[didi]

Well that's me done a bit surreal handing in my tunic .. A long 5 months but finally over

Di xx

[nickif]

Im in at 4.10 now...so a bit earlier than first told. My boob and chest is looking a bit sore now, hope it doesn't get much worse as they say it carries on for a couple of weeks. She did say people with very fair skin usually suffer a bit more as we would burn in the sun more as well. 

Im feeling very emotional, which I havent been most of the way through this, Ive just got on with it. But as you say Di its been a long few months... Hope your not too delayed and we can celebrate tomorrow night 😄 😄 😄 

[didi]

Well last boost tomorrow can't quite believe it's nearly all over after 5 long months from diagnosis to end of treatment .. nice bottle of pink bollinger in the fridge ☺ as I've also done dry January well sort of lol

The tamoxifen I'm on now is genesis only have a flush or a night sweat every other day now the brand I was on is actavis & had sweats every day especially at night .. but could be judt everything settling down after 3 months on it 

My last one is 2.35 Nickif so just before you,  if it's on time by then which it probably won't .. learnt by who was working whether it was going to be late .. on Saturday got called in early then I realised why when I saw the team that was on,  anyone else found this ?

Good luck to everyone else still to finish nearly there 

Di xx

[Ele J]

That's a shame re timing...mine are all before 9 so although it was a shock to the system having to get up and across town so early, they've mostly been bang on time and I've been able to park in the roads opposite free/unrestricted because I'm gone by 9!

The team are absolutely lovely at the Sussex though aren't they?

I had no idea you could get Aloe Vera gel directly from the plant!

Hope the rest of yours go well x

[StayingCheerful]

Hi there!  My appointments are all around 12:30 (LA3) but every one has been delayed by 30+ minutes, today it was 45 mins late, means I'm really hungry by the time it's done.   I have a large aloe vera plant and for the last three sessions apply the gel from inside a leaf as soon as I get home and use the E45 morning and evening.  Got cramp in my arm trying to applying to my back! 

[Ele J]

Hi StayingCheerful, welcome. That's interesting about your back as I've been getting stabbing pains in my shoulder blade which I assumed was muscular from having my arm above my head...but maybe it's related to the exit point?!

I'm in Brighton too...first thing in the morning though, what time are you there? Re cream they said to me anything which moisturises is fine, just not aqueous cream (I.e with SLS) because latest evidence is that it actually causes skin to dry out! I think aloe Vera is nice and cooling if you feel a bit burnt. I'm using E45 lotion and so far (I've had 12 of 20) so good.

Ele x

[StayingCheerful]

Hi!  I've just joined the forum interesting in reading useful the threads.  I had my op in October, clear margins, lymphs were clear so fortunately no chemo (went through that with bowel cancer in 2013).  Been on Letrozole for 12 weeks and so far no side effects - long may that last!   Because of Christmas my radiotherapy didan't start until Jan 19 just had 5th of 15 today at Brighton.   Been using E45 religiously starting before treatment, what do people know about also using aloe vera?  Also has anyone had skin trouble on their back, been told one of the beams is angled with an exit point on my back and to use cream if I can reach it.  Sorry about questions 

[nickif]

http://www.boots.com/en/Ladycare-magnet_122270/

They haven't go rid of them totally and it might not work for everyone.

Nic

[Dizzy]

Hi nick

what the ladycare bracelet you got, I've not heard of them, where could I get one? 

Dizzy xxx

[nickif]

I had my first boost last night, just concentrating on where my tumour was so not affecting the whole breast. I got a bit emotional afterwards, I think it is coming to the end of all my treatment, its been a long few months. We finish the same day Di....mine is at 5.15pm....think I will cry all the way home with relief!!!
I changed my brand to Mylan and my SE are better. I am trying another one next month. My pharmacist is being brilliant and will order in what I want when I find the right one. which one are you on Di?

[Ele J]

Di what brand are you on now, and do you get any other side effects? X

[didi]

Having my booster tomorrow & Saturday then last 3 next week .. boob is holding up well hopefully do ok through the next stage 

I don't know whether my body has got used to it but I changed my brand of tamoxifen last time & now I have hardly any night sweats .. I have been on it since October as my surgeon told me to start it straight away .

Not long now Nickif! !

Di xx

[Ele J]

#10 today so halfway through - 5 normal and 5 booster to come. Skin still fine and no major fatigue (having a nap some days but that's because I'm not sleeping well from the Tamoxifen rather than rads).

X

[nickif]

I am to start my 'boost' later today, they said it wont affect my skin so much. I have a itchy rash now. 

Dizzy, I bought one of the ladycare magnets and have been using that. I also at the same time changed my brand of tamoxifen. I went from loads through the night to only 1, maybe 2. I took it off yesterday to see if the magnet was doing anything...I had loads last night so maybe it is. I also cut my tamoxifen in half and take morning and night.  Not sure what is working or not but they are getting better. Think its a lot of trial and error.

[Dizzy]

11 down now for me, finally more behind me than in front.  Just started to get a little tender and some itching too but using E45 seems to,be helping.

Hot flushes are still a pain in the bum, never sleep for more than an hour or two before waking up with flushes, last night I saw every hour.  I have decided to try accupunture which my oncologist suggested, my referral went in last Friday and I'm hoping to be contacted soon.

i returned to work this week albeit very reduced hours for now, it's great getting some normality back in my life again, it's been a long 6 months.

Dizzy xx

[nickif]

Oh Kaz, how nice to have nearly finished. Im the same as Di still got 7 to go and 5 of them the 'boost'. Got to change machines on Friday for them. Im the same Di, Husband keeps tellimg me to have a nap in the afternoon but want to be able to sleep at night. So feet up on sofa catching up on the tv 😄 😄 

[didi]

Good luck Tat hope everything goes smoothly. . Only 7 more to go thank goodness .. boob is holding out ok I wonder if the booster sessions for the last 5 will make a difference though. . Trying not to nap except the occasional cat nap as probably wouldn't sleep at night, my partner thinks I'm too hard on myself 

Hope the rest the week goes well ladies

Di xx

[Kazglass]

Good luck to all Jan ladies I am on day 14out of 15 so one more to go feeling very tired glad I have a lovely family who can drive me to appointments 

[Ele J]

Good luck Tat, I will dip into your Feb thread when you start to see how you get on. Hope it goes ok X

[nickif]

Good Luck Tat, at least now you have a date xxx

[tat4tit]

Had my planning appt today and start rads 2nd Feb, finishing 17th March!  Thank you for allowing me to be a visitor to your thread, ladies.  All the best with the rest of your rads and side effects.  Tat xx

[Ele J]

Hi all, had my 7th of 20 today. Boob is a bit pink now...interestingly it developed over the weekend rather than after my treatment on Fri.

I've found my sleep going in the opposite direction Nicki! Was bad for the first few days on the Tamoxifen, then settled down to once a night and back to sleep easily, last couple of nights have been worse again. All still early days though, so just need to chill about it I think. And it doesn't really matter all the while I'm not at work so can just laze about or nap during the day as needed.

Hope everyone else is doing ok X

[nickif]

Ive had a very lazy weekend, just walking the dog and snuggled up on sofa. Slept late in this morning and had a nap this afternoon!!! My skin is getting very pink now, nipple is a bit sensitive!!! and skin getting itchy. Got 9 to go so hope it doesn't get much worse. Ive gone down to just one hot 'moment' at night. I could be that I have changed brands or that it is so much colder. 

Heres to another week of Rads!!! 😄 😄 

[didi]

Hi everyone 

Had a day off today (went in last Saturday instead ) as they are putting in a new machine or taking the old one out 

It's been so nice not to go anywhere 

My boob has a bit of a blush colour after 12 sessions & a little bit of pain in the nipple area but skin still  intact ☺

I seem to have settled with the tamoxifen no night sweats for a few days but my brand has changed so maybe that's it don't know 

It really has shown this week how lucky we are with all these legends dying from ca then you know there's even more ordinary people like us that have been so lucky .. isn't it weird knowing you are a survivor of this horrible disease 

Anyway now I've depressed you all ill go 

Glad you've decided to have next week off Nicky it is tiring 

Good news Tat and hello Alicat 

Di xx

[Kittie4me]

Well I had my first treatment yesterday so felt a bit better about it today - and I have to go tomorrow (Saturday because it started on a Thursday!). Can't say I'm actually enjoying the experience and still feel as though it is all happening to someone else!

Am using the Doublebase gel as recommended so hope it works it's magic!

The staff are really kind and professional, so I do feel that I am in good hands. Roll on 2nd Feb (my last one).

[Alicat]

Hi everyone, I've only just found this site and have been reading the posts. I had my planning appointment on Monday and am due to start rads next Wednesday for 15 sessions. I am not due to start tamoxifen until after rads. I am now wondering why, when lots of you are starting it during rads. I have not had chemotherapy. 

[Ele J]

Hi folks

Good news Tat that you are closer to getting going, and glad that your cold is getting better Nicki. When you're not at work make sure you do plenty of sitting with your feet up rather than running around doing stuff at home!!

I had #5 today so a quarter of the way through. All fine so far, feeling good (sunshine and blue skies here in Brighton really helps!)

Still moisturising a couple of times a day, no sign of redness yet but decides to go bra- free today anyway. Some tenderness on my scar but not major so can't complain.

Tamoxifen seems to be ok so far too...generally waking once in the night needing the loo and slightly disturbed sleep generally but not too bad given that it's early days. Also still feeling mildly sick and fuzzy tongue most of the time but not sure if that's still chemo legacy or the Tamoxifen. I was thinking yesterday, in normal times if I felt like this I'd be moaning about how I just haven't felt properly well for ages, but because of where I've been I'm thinking, 'I feel great!' It's all relative I suppose!

Hope everyone is doing ok X

[nickif]

thats good you finally have a CT planning appointment...will have to keep an eye on the feb and March threads to see how you are going xxxx My cold feels better but OMG I feel exhausted today. Only going to work mornings tomorrow and friday, don't think I can do a full day and then go for rads. Next week off work so at least I can relax a bit!

[tat4tit]

Well done everyone for getting through so far and congrats to those in or near single figures of rads left. Hope your cold is getting better Nicki and everyone is holding up with the travelling and relentless frequency of it al.

Letter from the hospital today; 'We are pleased to offer a CT planning appointment...' like it's some all expenses paid holiday!!!  Anyway, happening on Monday and was told to expect rads to start within 2 weeks of that, so it looks like I'll just make it into the Jan rads group.  I will also start the Feb thread and will get to join in the March one too with my mega dose of 33 rads!  Nervous about my poor skin and dreading the 30-40 min each way trip to the hospital, but just want to get started now.

Tat xx

[nickif]

Ok I thought my boob was ok but they told me tonight it is looking a bit pink and even my comfy bra might be a bit tight. Might try going without when I can, I am only small so its not too bad. Glad its going ok for you Kaz x

[Kazglass]

Hi everyone had number 9 today only 6 to go getting a little pink now. They had problems lining me up so it took a little longer than normal. Good luck Jan rad ladies

[nickif]

Still not right. Went to gym Saturday but not been up to it since 😞 I really wanted to keep it up. Hopefully Ill be back on it once this cold has gone. Just keep dosing myself up! Keep it up though Ele, I do think it helps to keep active. 

My boob is holding out well, no pinkness, skin OK so far. Lots of E45!  

Number 9 this evening, nearly half way there! 

[Ele J]

Hi girls,

3rd session done...still feeling ok and no sign of skin reddening yet (moisturise moisturise!). All extra early ones this week so might be feeling tired by the end of the week. I'm quite wakeful in the night, prob due to Tamoxifen but hoping that will settle. I seem to sleep better at night if I have a snooze on the sofa in the evening, which seems counter-intuitive but there you go!

Are you giving the gym a rest Nicki, given your comments below? I did a short run yesterday, and have signed up to rejoin a beginners running course from next week but will have to see how the energy levels go.

Well done Dizzy and Di, and glad you got a helpful response about your mega-course T4t.

Sarah - how are you getting on?

Hope everyone else is good x