January 2018 Radiotherapy

[Dot2]

Hello to all the January peeps!

I start my 20 sessions on 8th January.  I have had the tattoo markers and planning session, all a breeze really. I don't have to do the breath hold even though it is my left breast that is being zapped.  I have been applying the Holland and Barrett Aloe Vera gel for the last couple of weeks in preparation.  I have asked my doc to prescribe the R1 and R2 creams to go along with the Aloe Vera.

In a strange way, I am looking forward to it starting so it will then all be over.  I have booked a spa break with one of my girlfriends for a couple of weeks after it finishes.(I may not be able to use the pool but that is fine with me).

I look forward to popping in here to share some strength and stories for the month ahead.

Dot

[Alibobs]

Thank you for your replies. I will keep bobbing back here for updates and other people's experiences. Seems ages since this whole thing took over my life in October!!

[Charys]

Yeah, the oncology department is somewhere where the 'C' people go, its the most terrifying place in the hospital (well it certainly was to me). Its the department you see on the signs and quickly walk past as, frightened incase you ever need to go in there yourself, but at the same time imagining you that you won't ever need it. The very word oncologist was awful, then I realised that lots of people were visiting the oncologist and their aim was to make you better/treat you/give you a long life ahead.....they were doctors like all others.

[ladybowler]

Jean

I know what you mean, when I heard the word oncologist it scared the living daylights out of me however, with the experience of having seen him a couple of times now it is anything but.

We can all relate to that feeling of is it really happening, I find now that it is occasionally when I do think about it, I am did that really happen to me!

Your are welcome any time and we will be here to support you on your journey xxxx

[Charys]

Bless you my friend, I can always rely on you for a kind (ego-improving) comment

[ladybowler]

Charys

I know you will be an invaluable support on here for the ladies in so many ways xxxx

[Charys]

Hey Helena and other thread joinees,

I'll come join you too, as someone who did rt may and June 2016. (ages ago now) Hope I'm able to also provide some thoughts/ideas and such-like....or at least raise a smile now and again? x

[Geniebee]

Thank you so much Helena, your reply was so informative and it's good to know I can get help from someone who has been through what I have ahead of me. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect at my first appointment with the oncologist, now I feel much better about it. It's all these new terms, words I never expected to refer to me, cancer, oncology etc. I am still thinking is this really happening to me! 

I'm sure I'll be posting again on this thread as my journey continues.

Jean xx

[ladybowler]

GenieB

Hello and a very warm welcome to the forum, not somewhere you would want to be but you will get loads of help and support from the wonderful ladies on here.

Although I am younger than you, I too was recalled after a routine 3 yearly mammogram, it was my third one since passing 50. I too was shocked as I did not even find a lump, they told me I would never have found it, it was small early stage and treatable.  I had wle, snb and 20 sessions of radiotherapy.  I am on tamoxifen for 10 years.

Ladies do not always get any or all of the side effects that they tell us about, but they have to let us know just in case. 

I am assuming as you have been started on letrozole that your appointment on 8 January will be the planning appointment.  I have copied what I put in the post to Alibob here:

At the planning appointment, if it is anything like mine, I was given a tour of the rads dept, they showed me where to get my gown from, the changing rooms and generally how the dept works.  You will then meet firstly with the nurse who will explain all about rads, give you loads of booklets and might advise on creams.  You will then go through to another room where you will have your measurements done and they will do you tattooes.  You will have one in the middle of your chest between your breast and then one on either side of your body in line with this one. They are tiny dots, I must admit I can not find mine.

They will then do a scan, before this they will tape some wire around the base of your breast, apparently it is just to use as a guide, the machine will then move over you and back again, it is taking images which they use in conjunction with the measurements for your rads sessions.

The whole thing from when I arrived was about an hour.

At my hospital they provide free car parking for patients having rads and each day I was given a pass which I used to get out of the car park.

The main thing with rads is to make sure that you take in plenty of fluid every day, they recommend at least 2 litres as this helps with the dehydration effects from that rads that you might experience, it also helps with any possible fatigue you may experience.  Also moisturise the breast at least twice a day, I used to take my cream with me and apply it as I was getting dressed again.  Make sure you listen to your body and rest it will let you know.

If you have any other questions just come on here and we will help you in whatever way we can.

Sending you hugs

Helena xxx

[Geniebee]

I've just joined your discussion as I am having my first appointment with the oncologist on 8th January and this is all very new to me. I was diagnosed after a routine scan at the end of October. Never been recalled in my life and thought that it would be my last ever mammogram (I'm 68) so totally shocked with everything that has happened since. No family members or friends have had breast cancer so I felt really scared. I realise I have been lucky to have it picked up so early and have been reassured that all went well with the lumpectomy so have just started on Letrozole for 5 years, waiting for side effects and not knowing if I'll get any, I still get night sweats even though menopause has long since funished. 

Any hints and tips from you would be most welcome thank you.

[ladybowler]

Alibobs

At the planning appointment, if it is anything like mine, I was given a tour of the rads dept, they showed me where to get my gown from, the changing rooms and generally how the dept works.  You will then meet firstly with the nurse who will explain all about rads, give you loads of booklets and might advise on creams.  You will then go through to another room where you will have your measurements done and they will do you tattooes.  You will have one in the middle of your chest between your breast and then one on either side of your body in line with this one. They are tiny dots, I must admit I can not find mine.

They will then do a scan, before this they will tape some wire around the base of your breast, apparently it is just to use as a guide, the machine will then move over you and back again, it is taking images which they use in conjunction with the measurements for your rads sessions.

The whole thing from when I arrived was about an hour.

At my hospital they provide free car parking for patients having rads and each day I was given a pass which I used to get out of the car park.

Helena xxx

[Alibobs]

I am having planning on 17th January but my rads don't start until 8th February. I will be reading posts on here though for hints and tips. How did the planning and Market tattoos go? Thank you.

[ladybowler]

Ladies

I have started a new thread for those of you who are starting or continuing your rads into January 2018.  Its hard to believe but this was me 12 months ago.

Helena xxx