November radiotherapy anyone?

[Flossy03]

Number 8 for me today and second day in a row I got in slightly earlier than my appointment 😀

Feeling good with no side effects and knowing that I've had more zaps than I have left to do is even better.

[Jas58]

Finally got back on track today after 2 cancelled appointments due to door malfunction! Won't bore you with all the shenanigans but suffice to say a stern email went from myself to the CEO. Resulted in a large bunch of flowers and compensation for wasted petrol ⛽️ only trumped by Trump 😉

[Powdow]

Hi, can I join you all? Having my 1st of 15 tomorrow. I'm going in eary as I need another CT scan to do the markings.
I didn't get tattoos incase I took an allergic reaction to them. I have a bit if a history of food colouring allergy, nothing major but when I was getting the sentinel node biopsy the anethiatist didn't want the surgeon to use the dye. So that, plus probably the fact that my reconstructed boob broke out in the most awful rash and was bright red when i was going for planning scan they weren't keen to do my tattoos, so marked me with pen instead, but the one in between my boobs was rubbed off unintentionally one night when I was itching like mad due to the rash!!
At least the rash has cleared up more or less, just have very dry skin now which probably isn't the best start. Plus my hospital says no creams and even more so for me as cream will rub markings off if I'm not careful, but they said they'd keep a close eye on me.
So I'm quite relaxed about it all. Not looking forward to my skin breaking out as the rash I had gave me a miserable couple of weeks, but feel there will be a good chance considering skin still not in the best condition and no creams allowed (my hospital says there is no benefit, it won't stop it burning if it is going to) Pity as I invested in a load of that Udder cream that gets recommended!
All my appointments are just after 11 in morning, same time every day.

[sar54]

Dizzybee they will probably recommend a moisturiser when you start treatment x

Cla46 I've had stabbing pains - apparently it is the nerves being jiggled around. The review radiographer is really lovely and helpful. Ask her everything you can think of. I was on Phoenix for the first time today so have had a go on all 3 machines now. The positioning is easier sometimes than others, good to hear your skin is ok x

[Dizzybee]

Sorry you're feeling sore, do painkillers do any good? My usual remedy for aches and pains is usually a heated pad but I saw that's on the banned list too.

[Dizzybee]

Any kind of answer is good, I'm such a beginner at this! I'm just getting ahead of myself because I want this to start, I think we're heading for a record for the slowest treatment. 

[Cla46]

Dizzybee sorry that wasn't a helpful answer at all, I've noticed that ladies at different places have all been given various advice mine gave me cream and said shaving and deodorant is fine others say definitely don't do ethier. I think it also depends on what surgery you've had too. Lv Clair. Xx

[Cla46]

Hello lovelies,
WARNING.... I'm feeling a bit sore and sorry for myself today my boob feels really bruised and I keep getting sharp shooting pain has anyone else had that? It took ages to get positioned I had a different machine and team today so I was pretty fed up by the time they'd finished. As lovely as they are its not the most dignified thing to happen. I get to see the someone else as well tomorrow to see how I'm getting on and side effects etc. On a good note my skin is ok.:-) Hope every one has had a good day lv Clair xxxx

Dizzy bee I'm not sure why they say no cream maybe they'll explain when.you get there, xxxx

[Dizzybee]

I saw the oncologist today and signed the consent forms, now have to wait for the planning meeting. So I probably will start in four weeks. They gave me a leaflet from the radiotherapy department in Poole which says to avoid all creams and ointments. I thought they normally advised using loads of cream to keep the skin moisturised?

[Sue255]

Hi there, thank you for all your lovely posts. Felt quite emotional at last session but ok after a hug or two. Won't miss the constant travelling and hanging about but I can't fault the care I received. I feel a bit like 'what happens now'????  

My skin only went pink towards the latter part of my rads and a bit sore from friction under right breast. So the bra comes off at home. They said not to put the cream on tthe  sore bit if it breaks down. I could do with a 'boob' brace to hold it up to stop it chaffing!!!  Good job we can all laugh at times eh.

thinking of you all as you go through treatment. We're all on this journey together xx

[sar54]

Flossy03 I'm 11.45 and then 4 on Thurs on Fri. Then that's me done. If I don't see you best wishes with the rest of your treatment x

[Flossy03]

Sar54 - my appointment was 2.30 but I went in about 2.25, you went in after me.  I'm 1.55 tomorrow x

[Janey2]

I wish the doorbell was my idea but credit to the lovely Lesley inspired by Kary's experience. I love the thought we are all knocking at doors and ringing on bells for each other (I'm sure there's a song there!) xx

[sar54]

Glad it's going ok for you Cla46, apart from reacting to the cream that is. Stars in their eyes - I like it. I had Mr Benn in mind 😊

Flossy my appt was at 3.00, I was there at 2.30 chatted to the same woman knitting again and was 

called straight in. I reckon you were coming out when I was going in as they said about the same names. I wanted to knock on the wall and say "Flossy? Is that you? It's me...next door" but thought they might cart me off. I like your comment about this being like a dating site!

How are you feeling Sue255?

hope it's gone well for everyone today x

[Cla46]

2nd one done and all good. I also met a lovely lady who stopped to say hello and to say don't worry it does come to a end she had her last one of 30 today 🙂 I wanted to stand up and give her a huge hug but I probably would have scared her!
Oh and I'm allergic to the cream they gave me do back to good old E45. I hope everyone had a good day lv Clair xxxx

[Flopsy]

Right, I'm ready to go.

Had a CT scan and tattoos on Friday. The ink from the tattoos made my skin come up into a big itchy lump but I put some anti-histamine cream on it and it's gone down now.

Awaiting a phone call to be given my start date. It will be 4 weeks in total

[Dizzybee]

Jas, I didn't realise you could get it done privately? I have insurance, tried to use it when I was first diagnosed but the surgeon told me there was nothing available privately that I wouldn't get anyway so I've forgotten about it since then. I assumed that only the NHS would have the radiotherapy machines. But maybe they have doors that work!

[Helen13]

Evening lovely ladies, just got home after number 8, ok so far. Clair, glad your first one went well today and you can start ticking them off. Jas, so sorry yours cancelled, saw on another thread you said someone got to come from USA to fix, well hope they're on that plane & hurry up for you. Sue255 hoping your last one goes well tomorrow & you can do something nice. ..ive not seen a bell to ring at our hosp, have you? So as i don't have a doorbell (Janeys recent idea) i will rattle my door knocker a few times tomorrow for you 🙂 love to all xx

[Janey2]

Brilliant you've finally started Clair. We could start a whole new thread - songs what I've been zapped to. I did also want to offer some optimism. Hopefully I'm not the only one, but I've had no skin breakdown and I'm a week past last booster now. Xx

[Cla46]

Yes I remember you now, it was lovely to sort of meet you 🙂 my Thursday is 1.45 so if they're running late and your early we might see each.other :-D. Xx

[Flossy03]

This sounds like some sort of dating site 😂 I have long dark hair and was wearing black jumper. My apppointments are 2.30 the rest of the week and 2.15 on Friday.  After a couple of days the routine seems normal and you'll get speedy at the online check-in.   Good luck for the rest of the week x 

[Cla46]

That's terrible Jas58 xx

[Jas58]

Mine have been cancelled for 2 days because the door to the treatment room is jammed. That's private care for you 😉😉

[Cla46]

Oh how exciting 🙂 I had a purple top, jeans and black boots on a I've got short blonde hair. We were really early as well xx

[Cla46]

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow Sue255, I hope you can go and do something nice to celebrate the end of rads. Suec hopefully it will come round quickly for you xx Dizzybee good luck on Wednesday fingers and toes crossed for good results and you can start rads ASAP xx thank you Janey and Helen xx Flossy and Sar I wonder if well get to meet? my appointments are mostly around 12.30 for a bit except a very early one on Wednesday not looking forward to getting up extra early lv Clair xx

[Flossy03]

Cla46 - glad your first one went well.   This sounds a bit weird but I think you may have been going into the department and held the door open for me as I left - was that you?  

[Cla46]

Evening lovely ladies, I hope everyone had a good day 🙂 well the 1st is one done and it was all ok I don't know what I was so worried about, the staff are all so lovely I felt very looked after they talked me through everything they did and made sure I was happy throughout. I've even been given some epimax cream and was told I could have more when I run out 😉 I did feel a bit like I was in stars in your eyes going in one changing room door clothed and being let out the otherside in a gown and in a totally different area. I had the Beatles to listen to as I had the treatment Sarah but did think of the girls forming a band . I feel so much better now lv Clair xxx

[Sue255]

Last rad tomorrow. The three weeks are finally coming to an end. Tireing travelling and hanging about but the treatment was fine. Pinkness for me was about 12th and bit sore under boob. I too had some days where tears came for no reason but it seems that's quite common. Not quite sure what emotions will surface tomorrow but hey ho on we go lol. Let's hang in there girls. X

[Sue C]

Thank you Blueash x

[blueash]

Well that is session number 1 done and dusted! I am having 15 regular and 8 boosts.

Sue the E45 is good  and Biafine if you do get sore. Here is the list of deodorants they gave me:

No Germs

Naturally Fresh

Pitrok

Crystal Spring

Optima

The must not have metal or perfume.

[Sue C]

Oh, got home and realized I forgot to ask about creams and deodorants! 

Got some E45 cream....is that what we use? And also can anyone recommend a deodorant as I understand it can't have metal in it? Sorry ..should have asked this. A bit daunted with what was going on.

Hugs x

[Sue C]

Hi ladies
So just had my ct scan and markings. The hardest part for me was keeping my arms up and still as my shoulders didn't seem to want to stay in that position! The nurse told me to practice the exercises. Start date is the 21st Nov - 15 treatments plus 5 boosts.
Hope everyone coping ok. Anyone at East Surrey?
Sue x

[Helen13]

Hi Dizzybee, sending you lots of good luck wishes for your meeting with onc this week and hoping you can start your rads asap and keeping everything crossed for your other results. We are all here for each other. Take care & please keep posting. Xx

[Janey2]

Clair I hope all goes well for you today across the border and for everyone else starting. Dizzybee the waiting is the worst bit and good luck for a quick start date and fingers crossed for endometrial results x

[Dizzybee]

Hi everyone! I'm not sure whether I will be starting rads in November, have my fingers crossed because I want this done with. I see the oncologist on Wednesday for the first time. It's 5 months since my dodgy mammogram and so far all that's happened so far is 2 lumpectomies, seems incredibly slow when you're panicking.

And it doesn't help that I'm also waiting for biopsy results for possible endometrial cancer, this is not my year!

So I hope when I see the oncologist at least we can get the rads going, it would be great to get this finished before Christmas, particularly if you carry on cooking for another 2 weeks after finishing.

[Helen13]

Morning ladies, good luck and best wishes for today Clair and Sue C (are you starting today too?) and to everyone continuing their rads. Take care all. H xx

[Cla46]

Oh I did giggle about the staff playing in a band I'll have to imagine that tomorrow when I see them 😄 I'm just having a chill out day with my family love Clair xxx

[sar54]

Best wishes to everyone starting or continuing their treatment this week.

I was a bit anxious for the first 3 but once I got into the routine it's been fine. I hardly take any notice of the machines now I just lay there and drift off for a few minutes - it really is quite quick.

Cla46 I'm sure you will be absolutely fine. The staff are all lovely and reassuring. They will answer any question and always make sure you are ok, they can play music during your treatment too if you want - I don't mean they form a band (!) although that would be fun but they will pipe it through if you ask.

Nice to meet you too Flossy - keep practicing the knitting. I'll look out for you during the week. I think I've got one afternoon appt near yours.

I've had 10/15 now. Boob a bit pink and firmer but really not too bad and at times I'm a bit tireder than usual but it's been manageable with resting up as much as possible.

[AliC_64]

Hi everyone. I have tagged onto this thread as I am half way through my rads 8/15 so am half October / half November. Initially I found it very stressful and my anxiety levels were through the roof. But after a few sessions I was fine and now just fighting the fatigue. No side effects on the skin - as yet but been told there is still time !! Hope everyone gets on ok with their treatments this week 😊

[Cla46]

3.30 but I'm sure we'll be a bit earlier so we can find somewhere to park 🙂 x

[Flossy03]

cla46 - glad info was helpful.   What time is your appointment? 

Sarah x

[Cla46]

Thank you for the info Flossy it's really helpful, I'm starting on Monday at the same place as you and Sar so this is fab for me. Last week I got myself into a right state of over absolutely everything xxx

[Flossy03]

Well 5 of 15 done with no side effects. 😀

Nice to briefly meet you yesterday Sar54 - maybe I'll see you next week, appointments are all around 2.30pm.

For anyone about to start, this info may be of help to give you an idea of what it's like: it's not painful you just have to lie still,  from when I go into the changing room to when I've finished putting my clothes back on range from 12 mins - 24 minutes.   It seems a very efficient system literally one in one out and so far my appointments have all run on time.  The staff are all lovely, kind and caring.   Perhaps this isn't everyone's experience but it would have done me good to read some positive things about the whole experience, rather than to just read about the bad things, so I hope that these comments may help to put any newbies minds at rest.  x 

[Cla46]

Oops I mean 350g tub x

[Cla46]

Evening ladies I hope you've had a good day, I thought I'd share that I brought a large 350 ml tub of E45 cream for only £4.59 instead of £7 in superdrug today they have a 1/3 off selected sizes just in case anyone was interested lv Clair xx.

[Cla46]

Thank you Aileen xx I hope everyones rads went ok today lv Clair xx

[Sue C]

Thank you ladies. That's all reassuring. Let you know how I get on on Monday x

[Beth123]

Hi ladies

had my CT scan today and my little tattoos. All went well but the radiographers and I did have a bit of a giggle as I'm so tall and have long arms apparently so it was a challenge to get me positioned without my elbows grazing the inside of the scanner. It was good to have a moment of light relief whilst laying there with my boobies out (weirdly I was a bit apprehensive about someone new to me seeing my scars). 

Anyway after about 25 mins I was in the correct position and we were done. Hope to start in about 4 weeks - fingers crossed. Sadly though Christmas falls when I'll be having the boosters probably so I think our celebrations will be in January next year! 

Plenty of other christmas' to come so no problemo. X

[daffodil]

Hi all,

Like flossy I had my 4th one today and only had to wait 20 mins so not too bad. Helen - I think you are right, you just have to expect to be delayed. I have ordered a good book to keep me entertained.

My skin seems to be fine so far but today i am just so tired and burst into to tears for very little reason at work. I think it was too stressful for me trying to finish off what i needed to do before leaving for my rads appointment. I have been surprised how tired i have felt so soon. Wasnt expecting to feel this tired until a couple of weeks in. In a way it is good - i think i needed a wake up call to pace myself better and go back to resting every day as i did for chemo.

Clare - I know exactly what you mean i was just the same when i started rads as the wait for the last bit of treatment was so long. It is a relief to get started and the reality of the rads is better than i thought it would be.

Sue - 3 of my tattoos were completely painless but one hurt a tiny bit, less than an injection though. If you are worried you could take a couple of pain killers before your appointment.

Sarah - Glad you're day went according to plan. I had a good day like that yesterday so it was third time lucky for me.

Flopsy - Good luck with the ct scan. Let us know when you get your date.

Very happy to be having a weekend off now. Will try to rest but have my 11 year olds birthday party on sunday! Hope you all have a great weekend.

Aileen x

[Cla46]

Hi Sue the tattoos are so tiny I couldn't find the side ones and I thought I'd washed them away 🙂 it really doesn't hurt at all I didn't realise she'd done them. Hope everyone has had a good day and have a restful weekend lv Clair xx