JUNE radiotherapy anyone?

[jky03]

Hey Jan...near Selby....had choice of Leeds, York, Hull, Doncaster, Wakefield for my treatments..chose York as know it well...but Rads are done in Leeds St James'....its probably equally as far and takes same time travelling from my house to both Hospitals.
Heard good things re Castle Hill.
Know what you mean re farm machinery...get used to it living here...drove me nuts when first moved from Bradford 15yrs ago.

[Kayak Jan]

Sorry jky..... *** spell checker

[Kayak Jan]

Hi joy
I also have a 60 mile round trip. Where abouts are you. I live on the east coast and travel to castle hill for treatment. I think the travelling is going to be the worst part. I have managed to get most of my appointments for 10.15 so I can avoid rush hour. It takes about an hour each way depending on how many tractors I encounter. Standing joke in our family that you always have to add at least 15mins to allow for tractor time 😀 .
Have a good weekend everyone.
Jan

[Charys]

Ahhh including travelling, OK, I thought what on earth could you be doing there for that long? That's majorly over radiated, you'd be a total crisp lol 

[jky03]

No..was there 11.10 to 12.45 today as first appt and had Doc review first...was door to door...have to travel from York to Leeds...there is a free minibus run by local Cancer Centre in York who do pick ups from home but i don't qualify as live in a surrounding village so it's just as far/easy for me to drive the 56 mile roundtrip.

[Charys]

Why 4.5 hours today? As it the planning ct scan etc.? No it can't be, it was your first one today! 

[jky03]

Guess im lucky...got my schedule today..all between 11.30-13.30 except one at 4 (sorry kim :0) )....was a 4.5 hour stint all in all today.
Cannot wait to get back to work...tho dread 5am wake ups after over a year off.😴😴😴

[Charys]

Gosh that IS harsh!!! I only have one really early at 7.50 am and the rest are throughout the day from 10 am. 

[Kim555pink]

All my appointments are early morning - mostly 8:30 which means leaving home at 7:30, which is a huge shock to the system after months of lying in!! I guess it gets me back into the swing of things inpreparationof going back to work...

[Charys]

Hiyer,

It was just from Boots. It's called 'passion for nature 100 percent organic aloe Vera gel'. It comes in a black 200 ml squeezy stand up tube. I'm sure there are similar things elsewhere though.  It absorbs so quickly and easily that you can slap it on in the changing room before getting dressed right after the session. It says you can place it in the fridge before use for an extra cooling effect. However, and somebody may correct me here, it says contains 92.6 percent aloe Vera, and I seem recall the unit saying that the percentage of aloe Vera had to be higher than that, without so much 'carrier agent'. I find information so conflicting, the pharmacist advised this one, but I think maybe it would be better looking for another higher percentage one if you can find it. I know that some others have mentioned a Holland And Barrat version that might be better? 

The aqueous cream is literally like axel grease isn't it, look at the ingredients lolol

Hey Pat, good stuff, I'm really pleased that you are moving onto this next stage! 😊

C

[jky03]

Hi all..
Congrats on all clear Snow Leopard..onwards & upwards now.
Just got back..was ok, got seen by Doc and nurse before starting...assess wound was ok to receive Rads which it was...phew. Theyre going to keep an eye on me throughout and assess skin twice weekly..which puts my mind at ease.
Everything went as expected but was very emotional before going in...think just relief that after 14 months im at the final stage. 😆
Plastered to axel grease on after (aqueous cream) as advised not to use Aveeno. Will invest in some Aloe Vera gel tho for later into treatments....where was it from Charys?...saw some on Holland and Barrett and thought about getting some yesterday.
Hope you all have a good weekend...see you next week.xx

[Kitty]

 Congrats for getting the all clear it is such a weight of your shoulders after months of worry the next step will be easy as you know it has all gone and the rads are just preventative good luck I am at the Marsden they are lovely got number 4 later today x 

[Snow Leopard]

Hi all, I think I'm in for June rads, just waiting for my dates. Had lumpectomy on 20th May...lymph nodes were clear & clear margins.

Having 20 sessions at Royal Free in London. Will let you know when I have dates but want to say hi & send my best wishes to all. 

Pat xx 

[Charys]

....to add....the radiographer said that a beam gets set across access to the room so that if the beam isn't activated or if the beam is broken the machine stops.

I STILL can't believe I didn't clock the red flashing light and alarm .....😆🙃😜😆😜

[Charys]

Hiyer Louann,

you are 100 percent right, for some totally bizarre reason I didn't notice the red light and loud alarm on day one?!?! I mentioned it to them today, and they said it would have happened on the first day as the unit couldn't work if not activated and that because I was probably stressed on day one I didn't notice it. How on earth did I miss that on the first session ?? Lol nuts. 

All the best jky, after day 3 I am now feeling I am 'relaxing' into it....very impressed with the pure aloe gel stuff. Mind, I have been using aloe gel and overnight the aqueous cream, so it could be either that is impressive. Lol

C x

[jky03]

Here goes..1/15...see you all on the other side Hope everyone has a comfortable day.
xx

[Louann]

Charys the red light and loud noise happen each time for me. I think it's just the warning that radiation is being given but I could be wrong. My radiography had to come in and reset a switch the other day as the gate wasn't closed properly and so the radiation could not be started. She said the gate acts as a safety device just in case someone walks in the room accidentally. Xx

[Charys]

19 in total.....4 of them being localised boosters not whole breast. 

I tell you want scared living daylights out of me yesterday, which didn't happen the day before, there was a massive red light flashing and a very loud alarm going off during the whole treatment. This really terrified me as didn't happen the day before. 

C x

[Sissylw1980]

Hi Charys, I'm having 15 rads, it's all going quite quickly. How many are you having? Xx

[Charys]

Hi Sissy,

how many are you having? Are you nearly halfway through? 

You are doing really well skin wise by the sound of it. 

X

[Sissylw1980]

8th rad today, skin looks okay, I'm starting to feel quite tired though and the heavy legs from chemo are back! Xx

[Charys]

I think the non bra wearing thing for a while is a good idea.......thanks.

I have a massive tub of  Aqueous cream here jky, not that the unit gave it, I had to buy it myself. It's quite a greasy affair lol

Hows everyone else doing ?

[Kitty]

Just got back from 3rd seemed really quick two zaps both sides not sore at the moment hope the swelling goes down for you I am moisturising three times a day not wearing bra at home and got some non wire bras for work which feel weird take care x

[Charys]

Ahhhh Hospital......ok......local dialect 😅

Im not holding up hope for a good radiotherapy series of treatments without skin problems here, already quite pink and starting to feel swollen on day two. Hey ho. Such is life. 

[jky03]

Haha."given lotions at Ossie"...my Yorkshire accent evident in even my writing!
Informed im to be given Aqueous cream at the local Unit to use whilst receiving Radiotherapy......

[Charys]

What is given lotions 'at the Ossie'?

so, number two done, it was quicker as none of the rushing in to put probes on to check the proper dose was being given today. It also sounded different too, the machine, I don't know what I'm sure that yesterday there wasn't a red light on and a siren sound whilst the machine was working. I didn't seem to hear the machine buzzing today, which was odd. 

[jky03]

Thanks for the welcome,

Least first one down Charys,.....will follow your experiences with interest,...guess will be given lotions at the Ossie too but those using Aveeno..which one are you using?...ive been looking at the wheatgerm based one.

My appts are between 12-1330 in first week, havent got any more times yet. Its a 56mile round trip daily but my hubbies gonna help out if im tired. Im on a career break at present...enforced due to prolonged sick time due to wound so atleast thats one less worry. Those working through this have my utmost admiration.

[Charys]

That's what I was wondering if you were working , which I'm not at the moment, how would it work....I guess they'd just have to try and give the more convenient ones to those who need them. How bizarre that a boss can be lacking such sympathy for something like this.......unbelievable !!!!!

[Kitty]

 I am lucky as I am back at work managed to get appointments after 4pm my boss has been a bit funny over the whole thing no sympathy at all in fact it is an inconvenience to him never mind what I have been though I would say he is a man but my husband has been my rock so they are not all the same x

[Charys]

Yes, it does feel quite an achievement....for some reason....even though we just lie there and they do all the work. My actual scar site feels a bit jippy, but that could be from rubbing the lotion in. My timings are all over the place, from early am to late pm....are yours ?

[Kitty]

Hi Charys

Feels so good doesn't it to get first one out the way hope you are not to sore  I am using E45 lotion nurses said it is ok to use was recommended I had 2nd today wasn't stressed at all had a good night's sleep for a change only 13 rads to go just need to get rid of the night sweats now must be the letrozole x

[Charys]

Done, number one, scribbled off the list.

well, that was a strange experience. My shoulder is hurting but I doubt anything to do with the treatment, more to do with the position we lie in for a while whilst they get ready.....and probably being tense at the same time so tensing muscles!!

i was surprised at home quick the actual machine buzzing, zapping thing was. 

[JenJen]

Dont forget you can get aveeno on prescription and given that you should be liberally sloshing it on lots of times a day you may get through a fair bit so itd be understandable to ask for it from GP as a need.


JKY have you tried eba* for comfy larger bras I got my post MX ones from there as I have a v large back I am a 46D so difficult to find bras usually,

Jen x

[Charys]

Hi jky,

ohhh yes, please Do join us !!!! You are more than welcome, though has been said many times before, it's the forum and threads where nobody wants to be lol I can't stop to make a long reply now, as am literally leaving for my first zappity do dah. People have sung high praises for Aveeno, but I currently have here diprobase, aqueous cream and 100 percent aloe Vera gel. I'll see how I get on with those first I think.

x

[jky03]

Hi everyone...can i join in the fun & games with you June Rays??..
Decided to go ahead so first one will be Friday...think ive got to do all i can to prevent recurrence, really don't fancy hosting this b#gger again. Though i don't mind admitting im scared of the unknown. Mainly cos of my wound issues - 8 months with a wound after failed mammoplasty in October. But im am some what of a reluctant expert at woundcare now, so im gonna stride through my fear and deal with it.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated re: best moisturisers to use...im leaning toward Aveeno at the mo but yet to buy. Is it worth pre skin care these next 2 days or just using simple soap n water. I have a small wound still and scars are very sensitive/friable. Im trying to buy cotton soft bras but its so difficult sourcing to fit a bigger size comfy one...ive must have tried 15 so far without luck.
But after 14 months since diagnosis - chemo finished Sept 15, its time to kick on and ride to the finish of treatment line...#☆** atlast!!
Wishing you all good luck through your treatments...hope its kind to us all.x

[Kmk66]

Just nipping in from May rads thread to wish you ladies starting this month all the best. It's an apprehensive time (fear of the Unknown) but once those first couple are out the way that fear will go and I am more than sure you will breeze through the treatment. 

Hugs 

Kerry x x 

[Kim555pink]

No5 tomorrow. I'm allowed to wash off the daily pen marks as long as I'm gentle. I just shower as normal- sometimes they come off, sometimes they don't.
Good luck everyone having their first ones this week!
Xxx

[Charys]

Hi Guys, we are certainly representing every day in stages here aren't we...day one, day 6 for the two of you. 

I will check in tomorrow shortly afterwards no doubt x

[Sissylw1980]

Good luck tomorrow charys, I was nervous and tearful at my first one, but it was fine. Had my sixth today and I find it quite interesting watching the rads team and listening to them xx

[Kitty]

Had first rad session today I was so worried it was a bit scary with all the machinery I have loads of pen marks told not to scrub them off a bit red and hot when I got out but moistened as soon as I got home and it has calmed down now only 14 to go and I got free parking for rest of treatment xx

[Charys]

You are about on number 5 now aren't you Kim? I was listening to Sian Williams on radio two today, she had BC diagnosed in 2014. Apparently she has written a book on positive mindsets following trauma, and how people come to terms with and positively move on from traumatic events. I can't recall the name of it though, it's out this week, might take a look at it.

Ok it's called.....'surviving and thriving after trauma'. She apparently wrote an MSc thesis on something similar, so seems quite qualified in both BC and psychology of trauma.

[Kim555pink]

Charys, honestly you'll be fine 🙂
Xxx

[Charys]

Thanks Louann, don't know if anybody else or just me for tomorrow? Feeling a bit jittery today, silly things like 'what if it goes too deep and zaps my internal organs? Lol yeah.....I know.......lol

[Louann]

Good luck to everyone starting their rads tomorrow xx

[Bibi44]

We all found ourselves much more tired after Herceptin whilst on rads & the one after. Well worth scheduling less that week.  It seems to be the double whammy if the two treatments together.  The next one was perfectly OK again.  My chemo nurses said they had never heard of it, but everyone was affected so it's definitely reasonably common at least. xx

[Platinum]

Hi Ladies,

I start my radiation therapy June 20th (20 sessions) and have had CT scan plus tattoos - it's as if someone aimed a permanent marker & fired it at me! I'm just pleased the chemo is finished and looking forward to 3 weeks "off" from hospital visits (if I ignore the Herceptin injections).  Has anyone here experienced any problems with rads & Herceptin?

Look after yourselves, love Mary xx

[Bibi44]

Ladies someone said a foam one is good during rads x

[JenJen]

Seroma even ..

[JenJen]

My sera filled up again so looking like I will be a July girl now ...needs to hurry up though im going away in August and want to be done and dusted (apart from herceptin) .

Sissy my BCN said I might be better wearing softie during rads as will be better for skin she said I could wear either though but thought id let you know as maybe swapping to softie for a few days (or even softie in house silicon outside) might help. My friend suggested I just swap bras if I was going out as I tend to wear leggings and a top in the house and get changed into smarter stuff if im going out so it wouldnt be much more effort for me to swap from a softie to silicon too

Jen x

[Sissylw1980]

Hi all, had my fifth today. Skin seems to look ok, however it is feeling like its tightening up even though I have been moisturising twice a day. I think that perhaps the bra and heavy prosthetic aren't helping. My arm and shoulder on the side that's being zapped is also starting to ache a bit more. I had my mx in November and according to the rads staff today I should still be doing my post mx exercises. I do get more sore on my mx side especially if I sleep on it for too long! Good luck to all starting rads next week, have found it so much easier than chemo xx