November 2017 Radiotherapy

[anitajane]

Thanks Helena - are they real bells or virtual? X

[ladybowler]

Anitajane

Good luck for tomorrow, not that you will need it and we will soon be ringing those bells for you soon

Helena xxx

[anitajane]

Hi everyone I’ve been reading everyone’s posts on this thread. Wow - the journey we are all on that none of us chose. I start my 15 & 5 rads tomorrow. My surgery on 20th Sept seems such a long time ago. I’m now a month into 5 years + of Letrozole. Had a few side effects mainly my carpal tunnel syndrome returning after a complete absence of 4 years. I wish I wasn’t here but I am. Thanks to this forum I never feel alone. Anita xx

[Kimi]

Hi Ladies.
I had my CT scan (which thank you Gail & Ann, was fine) & assessment for RT last Friday. I was tattooed & have been told about breath holding & will have 15+5 boosters. I saw a different Specialist & she informed me I have only had lymph node biopsy, I thought they’d removed two, & I may have to have more surgery after RT, I did get upset & she then told me RT has been proved in trials to be as effective as surgery, I’m a little confused now! Anyone else have this experience? I was told about using E45 cream regularly throughout RT treatment & drinking plenty. They have some honey based cream if we need it, should we get sore, which the nurse told me isrealky good, called something like Medihoney? Hope all goes well for everyone. X

[Ruth.J]

Thanks merc x

[Merc46]

Hi Ruth 

hope your feeling ok please don't panic unfortunately it is along road had my first op back in July with no clear margins second op 5th September but I'm now first week over with rads just like you we all need to know what's happening (now) good or bad. The time will soon pass I promise good luck for next week and big hugs to you X 

[ladybowler]

Merc

It is amazing how quickly you learn your limits.  I remember deciding to clean all the cupboard doors etc in the kitchen one day whilst I was having rads, I go half way through and had to stop!! It took me two days to do them but I didnt make that mistake again and made sure I paced myself 🙂

Enjoy your weekend off ladies

Helena xxxx

[Merc46]

Well on your way then. I've got up this morning and decided to clean my over beginning to think it was a bad idea when it's done I'll be joining you sitting on my sofa and doing nothing for the rest of the day enjoy your weekend X X 

[Gail1892]

Merc, I’ve got 7 sessions left. Skin is a bit sore, but was given some cool dressings yesterday and they are very soothing! Am tired, so glad it’s the weekend. Am doing absolutely nothing today and loving it!
Hope next week goes well for you xx

[Merc46]

Thank you Gail get straight on them. How are you feeling is it your last week X 

[Gail1892]

Hi merc, glad your first week went well 🙂
I was having a few stabbing pains and rads team said to take ibuprofen for them if necessary. You could always double check with your BCN?
Hope your cold gets better quickly and you can rest up over the weekend xx

[Merc46]

Hi ladies hope everyone is ok first week over for me and feeling ok apart from full up with a cold dose any one know if you can take ibuprofen whilst on rads X 

[Ruth.J]

Hi ladyblower, I hoping I don’t have to wait that long. My initial treatment was really quick and now I’m going mad. I found a lump 8th Sept following week mamo ultra sound biopsy. Results 22nd Sep first lumpectomy and node removal 2nd Oct these results 20th Oct re excision as no clear margins 23rd Oct. have been called now and told these results 8th Nov. I know I have been really lucky but in my life I don’t cope well without a plan even if I knew I had another 4 weeks to wait that would be ok just want to 😣 Ruth x

[momo4169]

Both my oncologist and the radiographer when I had my tattoos done recommended E45 cream so have bought that and some Sanex shower gel ready for when my rads start in a fortnight. I drink at least 2 litres of water a day anyway so that's not going to be an issue for me.

Have had my first Tamoxifen tonight so the next stage of the journey has started. Flu injection on 13th and rads on 15th.

[pili pala]

Hi Helena and thanks for your reply.  Nobody has mentioned using any cream at all I just thought of it myself in the hope it would help.  I will go to the chemist tomorrow and ask them.  Thank you. xx

[ladybowler]

pili pala

Did your rads team tell you to use any particular cream, they usually recommend E45 or Aveeno?  You could always give the team a call and check with them. 

I used E45 cream throughout my rads mositurising twice a day.  Make sure you take in plenty of fluid a good two litres a day as that helps with the dehydration you might experience and also helps with potential fatigue.

Helena xx

[pili pala]

H,i I had my CT and tattoos yesterday and I start rads next Thursday.  What I wanted to know is should I buy a cream or something to moisturise the skin beforehand, and if so what is best? 

It is very comforting to read that you are coping well ladies.  I am rather emotional these days.

[ladybowler]

Ruth

I know exactly what you mean :(,  When I had my onc appointment I thought I would be starting rads within a week or so, it was 4 weeks, nearly drove me mad as I just wanted to get going xxx

[Ruth.J]

Thanks Helena waiting is the toughest challenge to overcome x

[Ruth.J]

Hi Momo it was terrible mine started 5 days before my 1st op and it was horrendous ended up in boots getting incontenance pads on advice from the lovely health advisor not looking forward to this. Hope you don’t have that xx

[momo4169]

RuthJ, interesting what you say about the Mirena as I had to have mine removed too and having not had a period for about 13 years I'm having to get used to that and how I feel. I felt really ropey this morning and had a really bad head and then discovered my period had started. Rubbish getting used to that again with everything else going on!

[ladybowler]

RuthJ

Oh flip that is so frustrating, you will get there xx

Sending you a hug

Helena xxx

[Ruth.J]

Hi

Well my appointment for my results from re excision haven’t come back so tomorrow appointment cancelled and rebooked for next Wednesday so no chance my rads will start this month. It has been so much harder waiting for these results than the originals as I have been so positive and was only expecting good news. Just so fed up waiting and to tired. I also think my hormones are now kicking in as I have pcos and have had the marina coil fitted on and off for 18 years which for me has been fantastic but without it I get so down before period approx 1 week either side. Just want results and plan moving forward. Thanks for listening Ruth x

[Aline]

Thank you xx

[ladybowler]

Aline

So glad it went without any hiccups today xx

[Aline]

Yes all fine today. How are you feeling? Xx

[Merc46]

Ah bless you was all ok today and back to normal x

[Aline]

Yes thanks all OK until machine broke down half way through treatmen!! could only happen to me....hope everyone else is OK xx

[Gail1892]

Glad it went ok merc. Must have been those sparkly pants! Are you making sure you drink plenty?
I’m halfway through today, am feeling more tired and skin a bit pink now, but all good apart from that.
Hope everyone else is getting on ok xx

[Merc46]

Hi Aline 

how are you finding the first couple of days.not to bad for me just found I've got a very dry month. boob holding up as well  big hugs merc 

[Merc46]

Thank you Gail really wasn't as bad as I thought feeling tired but think the clocks have got something to do with that. How are you getting  on in week 2. Big hugs to everyone X 

[Aline]

B right beside you. My 1st treatment tomorrow too. Wishing you good luck x

[Aline]

Me too x

[Gail1892]

Good luck for tomorrow merc 🙂
Tomorrow is day 9 for me
Loving the spangly pants Helena! Xx

[ladybowler]

Merc

I am so glad they cheered you up well if those made you giggle, here are the Strictly Come Dancing pair for those ladies that want a bit of bling as well as support

I know I am a bit barmy, but honestly harnless xxxxx

[Merc46]

Helena

Thank you so much for the pants they did make me giggle been for a walk in the autumn sun feeling so much better and ready for tomorrow. Not sure when I'm next seeing my oncologist next but my nurse said she would give me a ring so I'll ask her. I live in Walse so get free prescription already and yes I will drink plenty and moisturise

thank you again can't stop smiling at those pants X X 

[ladybowler]

Merc

Honestly it is fear of the unknown, as we find at every stage of our treatment, the first session is the longest because they have to check all the details from your oncologist and planning appointment and they tell you about what is going to happen so it will probably be about 25 minutes long, after that they are usually about 10/15 max from undressing, rads and dressing.

Are you seeing your oncologist after you finish your rads as they will be the one who gives you your first prescription, after that you will get it from your GP.  Have you got a medical exemption certificate yet?

Just make sure you moisturise at least twice a day, drink plenty of fluid a good 2 litres a day as this will help with the dehydration from the rads and potential fatigue, but most importantly be kind to yourself and listen to your body it will let you know when you need to rest.

Sending you a pair of the tough pants for tomorrow, not that you will need them

 

Helena xxx

[Merc46]

Hi everyone 

feeling very nervous and tearful today think I'm just dreading tomorrow my first session but reading all the threads on here I've got nothing to be worried about been told I will have to be on tamoxifen for 5 years but have not yet been given it was just wondering if I should of started it before my rads. Big hugs to all X 

[ladybowler]

momo

Welcome to the thread 🙂

Flipping heck no wonder you were exhausted. 

Well done you for recognising and accepting that you can not do your normal hours at the moment, I only work part time anyway, 25 hours a week, and I recall my boss laughing when I said I would be back at work 2 weeks after my op and I will work through rads, she just said lets see when we get to that point and we will have a conversation, she was absolutely amazing, recognising that I needed to have that normality in my life but making me see sense in that I needed to be kind to myself.

The biggest part of rads for me was that my life was being controlled every day by this one appointment which I hated because I was not in control of my life, I had 15 and 5, they started before Xmas last year so were extended by an extra 4 days because of the bank holidays.

The waiting room for the rads at my hospital had TVs and magazines and I met some lovely people that you get to know and chat with when your appointments are at the same time, and the talk was not just about our treatment which was lovely.

I started Tamoxifen 4 weeks before my rads started, was very nervous at first but on the whole it was ok, some side effects but nothing I could not manage.

Helena

[momo4169]

I went back to work after my surgery and before my rads start (they start 15 Nov) and threw myself back into full time work. I have a big, stressful job, but I usually thrive on the stress. I also commute to London but worked from home mainly. It became apparent after about a fortnight that it was too much for me. I was feeling very tired but felt I couldn't take it easy due to work pressures. However I put this pressure on myself as my boss (and others) had told me to work reduced hours and keep myself away from the day to day stuff and let my team carry the workload between them. So last week I made the decision to do what others were encouraging me to do and I'm now working three hours a day. But I had to find it out for myself as I don't like being told what to do!

I had my planning appointment on Friday and now have my three little tattoos and although it's my left side, I won't need to learn breathing techniques as my heart won't be in the way. I've been really positive up till now but I have to admit I found the waiting room at the oncology department a very depressing place. 

Like me others I think I'll find the fact that I need to be at the hospital every day a real bind, but it's only for four weeks (3 + 1 booster week) and then it's all done by Xmas. I start my Tamoxifen next week so am concerned about the combination of side effects from that and the rads but I keep telling myself that the medical professionals are the experts and everything that is being done is for the right reasons.

[ladybowler]

Aline

I worked throughout mine but on a very much reduced work pattern, 3 days 4 hours a day that was absolutely all I was allowed to do by my employer.  My job is not stressful at all which made things a lot easier as well

I must admit I was happy doing it as it gave me some normality and routine which did not involve hospitals but I was very lucky in that the effects from rads were not too bad at all for me and I was able to plan my appointments for early afternoon which allowed me to work, go straight to the apt and then home where I could relax in the evening xxx

[Aline]

Thank you I appreciate the feedback xx

[Aline]

Hi same as yourself 15 and 5 boosts. Should be more grateful as not going for chemo. Friends and work have been so supportive. I am so normally in control re work etc and that is hard but.....Thank you xx

[ladybowler]

Aline

Hello and welcome to the thread.

The rads are very doable, I had 20 sessions and finished in January this year.  The worst part for me was the constant travelling back and forward to the hospital and my life being controlled by this one appointment, but it is a distant memory now.  The actual sessions are only about 10 mins from getting undressed to getting dressed again.

The main thing is to make sure you moisturise your breast twice a day, drink plenty of fluid a good 2 litres a day as it will help with the dehydration and help combat any fatigue you might experience, also listen to your body it will tell you if you need to rest.

If you think about it no wonder you are feeling a bit under the weather you have already had 2 ops and rads to come.  I know when I first started taking tamoxifen, which was about 4 weeks before I started rads, I had a few weeks when I was very emotional and could have cried even if someone said something nice to me but it soon passed.

How many sessions are you having?

Helena xxx

[Headandheart]

Hi Aline

Emotional ups and downs seem to part of the package. You’ve done well to stay positive up till now, but it’s ok to let the negative emotions happen too, and express them to people. I found that my best friend 5ought I was absolutely fine and happy as I’d been presenting a positive side on Facebook -when she came to see me she was shocked how tired I was and how long the recovery was taking. So I’ve learnt to be honest with myself and my friends about the negative as well as positive, and to be kind to myself. When I feel low I find a walk outside in nature really helps, or a nap, or both!

take care 

Headandheart

[Aline]

You're right Anita, just had a bad few days. Get my dogs out for a good walk today and blow the cobwebs away. Thanks x

[anitajane]

Hi Aline

I had my op in September and have been on Letrozole for 3 weeks. I start rads a week on Monday and it couldn’t come too soon as I see it as such an important part of my treatment. Don’t get me wrong, my emotions have been up and down but my surgery is behind me as, hopefully, is yours. The lovely ladies here tell me the rads are very ‘doable’ and I trust them completely. I’m very relieved I don’t need chemotherapy and I can see normality on the horizon again.

I wish you a good night’s sleep and hope you feel better when the sun comes up tomorrow. It’s supposed to be a lovely autumn day and I’m getting my walking boots out.

Take care Anita xx

[Aline]

Starting radiotherapy on Monday. Had 2 ops so far and started on tamoxifen about 4 weeks ago. Been really upbeat until this week and now really emotionally crappy....

[littlefairy]

hi merc my god youve had a hard time for someone so young and your family too going through so much it must be so tuff going through this with everything going on the stress must be hurrendus for you all ,im sure you are all supporting each other and with that will help everyone through this , i send hugs for you all xxx take care little fairy

[Merc46]

Hi there little fairy thank you for your kind words yes your rite it's been an emotional year for me and my family my husband had an op back in May (gave his kidney to our granddaughter) thought things were going in the rite direction all was well with both of them then of course we were all hit with me and this horrible cancer Ive seen my fair share of hospitals this year can't wait till this year is over and done with. When do you finish your rads bet your counting down now.keep it quite but I'm 46 lol X big hugs to you and take care X