I've only just found the BCC Forum - wish I had ages ago! I was diagnosed at first routine mammogram at age 50, 3 tumours grades 1 and 2 invasive cancer, had a mastectomy to right side with immediate reconstruction (implant), stage 1 cancer. So glad it was caught early.
Coped with surgery (mastectomy) fine and didn't mind it wasn't a lumpectomy. Strangely devastated when told I had to have radio (no chemo needed) as I thought as was done and dusted. Also worried about effect on implant and that I might need further surgery to correct this.
Started radio on 11 May and last session is tomorrow. Was very grumpy after first session - partner thought I was angry, but just upset at having to be there. Have cycled to most of my sessions since as it's only about 4 miles away and hoped the exercise would beat the potential fatigue. (It has helped - most days I come back buzzing with endorphins.) However some days I have been tired and have driven.
My main bugbear has been the lack of info / mixed messages about looking after my skin. Prior to radio, I was told it was important to moisturise but not given info on what was suitable. When I pushed, I was told people often use aloe vera. Next person I talked to told me they weren't allowed to advise on any skincare products. At first radio session I said I was using planning to use after-sun and was that OK - told me that it wasn't! Next day I said I had switched to alow vera and was that OK - told only if unperfumed. When I got home I sniffed it and it definitely had fragrance. Next day I asked someone else who suggested E45 and that is what I have been using since, and the radiographers seem happy with that. What really galled me was one day when I was at a different linear accelerator from usual and there was a poster up of skincare that the department sells on request - things like unbranded moisturisers similar to E45. Why could no-one have told me about this?! It sounds from other posts that other people have been struggling to get advice.
No-one has told me to wash the skin before each radio session, so I have gone moisturised. I have very pale skin that gets sunburnt quite easily so I was worried about the effect of the radio, but so far there has only been the very slightest hint of pink that I can hardly see the area that has been zapped. My Macmillan nurse last week told me to expect it to get pinker for 2 weeks after treatment stops, so not out of the woods yet.
The other thing I find difficult is holding the position of my arms during treatment - the stirrup things are really uncomfortable and if the staff take longer than usual to get me into the right position, it is all I can do to stay still for the couple of mins treatment. Looking forward to celebrating radio treatment being over tomorrow!
I start tamoxifen on Thursday and am quite concerned about that, so may see some of you on another thread.
