November radiotherapy anyone?

[Lena Mary]

Hi again Clare

In reply to one of your messages, what isWLEs, please.  You say you had 2 in Aug/ Sep.  Have been trying to work it out.  

Lena Mary

[Jas58]

Me too! I'm on no 17 now with 8 more to go! Am feeling very tired and little or no energy. Have never watched so many sky box sets!!! Longing to feel me again! 😊

[Janey2]

Hi Powdow. I had exactly the same symptoms and continue to have them to a lesser extent now I'm 2 weeks finished. I described them to my my partner as a feeling I was about to get flu. I've decided for me that's what fatigue must feel like. a combination of what we've been through surgically and emotionally alongside being fried! It definitely will improve xx

[Powdow]

I'm on no 5 today, so only had 4 so far, but I think the tiredness is creeping in already, thought this was quite soon. It's also like a heavy head about to get a cold feeling (hard to describe)!rather than straightforward tiredness - in fact maybe like a few wines the night before, but a full on hangover, just groggy. It may be nothing to do with rads and I may perk up for it to proper hit me later on, but anyone else feel like this and so early on?
I had mastectomy and DIEP 7th September and I had just been getting over the tiredness from that the last few weeks, so perhaps its just a knock on effect?

[Flossy03]

Cla46 I'm 2.15 tomorrow and Thursday and 11 on Friday which is my last one.  x

[Lena Mary]

Hi Clare, you are not alone in weeping. I am sure we have all experienced it. I blub over the slightest thing and I haven't even started rads yet. Bear in mind, the shock and onslaught on the body is a lot to deal with. Just think of all of us giving you a hug when you feel down. Hugs, Lena Mary
.

[Lena Mary]

Thank you, Clare, for your reassuring message.  Congrats on the impending birth of your grandson

Stay well.  

Lena Mary 

[Lily59]

Hi Dizzybee,

Just to reassure you, I started my rads on a Wednesday as well and finished on a Tuesday, so there's nothing unusual about it.  Hope you can start soon and get on with the treatment. All the best x Lily

[Dizzybee]

I pushed for a bit more information about when I was likely to start radiotherapy, was told they've pencilled me in for the 30th, so I'll just squeak into November rads. But that is a Wednesday, I thought they always started on a Monday and did complete weeks.

Or maybe they're just fobbing me off!

[Lily59]

Hi Janey,

I am sitting here laughing!!! No pun intended honestly - I see now what I said! However I will be happy to give a good few raps on the door to celebrate anyone finishing rads, even if the neighbours think I've lost the plot.

Thank you for making me smile and for the congratulations. Hope all you ladies have a good day xxx Lily

[Cla46]

Knockers are a great idea. :-D. That'll be lovely lily <3. Xxx

[Janey2]

Knockers now sounds more apt than bells given our circumstances!!
Lily congratulations and what a wonderful bit of news.
xx

[daffodil]

Door knocker sounds very appropriate to me 🙂

[Lily59]

Hi Again Clair,

How lovely! You have something realy special to look forward to in March - a lovely time of year as well! If I had a doorbell I would ring it for you. Do you think a door knocker would do? Ha ha. I'm sure I could find a bell somewhere. Let us know how you get on xx x Lily

[Cla46]

Hi Lena Mary,
I had 2 WLEs back in August / September time and still get sharp stabbing.pain it did settle but has reappeared since my radiotherapy started, the nurse said it's just the breast tissue complaining as it's being aggricated again she's reassured me it will settle back down at some point xx

No bell sadly Lily but I'll definitely be celebrating when I'm done 🙂 My little grandson will be born in March so I've got something wonderful to look forward to much lv Clair xx

[Lily59]

Hi Clair, 

Thank you very much!! I have a beautiful granddaughter, and all is going well. I'm glad to read that you are getting on with your treatment well and looking forward to finishing. Have you got a bell to ring when you finish? Unfortunately I didn't but lovely Janey went out and rang her doorbell for me when I finished. I hope the time passes quickly for you and you do something nice for yourself when you finish. xx Best Wishes x Lily

[Lena Mary]

Thanks for that Dizzybee.  Couldn't think what it was that was leaking on to my bras - had to pad up with folded bandages.  Still on the antibiotics but the Doc changed them to one a day - a  stronger one so let's hope that does the  trick.  Have some bad pains in my breast  - not all the time, just now and again.  Anybody else find  this?  Or am I  too soon  in  thinking the pain should be gone now?

Best wishes to all you ladies who have finished treatment for now.  Lovely not to see Doctors and hospitals for a while!  Take care.

Lena Mary

[Cla46]

Congratulations Lily on the birth of your grandchild xxx

[Lily59]

Hello Janey,

Just popped over from October thread as I see you were asking how I was doing. Sorry for delay in replying but I have been away to be with my daughter during the birth of my first grandchild. Thank you for thinking of me. I'm not too bad but have a bit of soreness on ANC scar. I'm applying Sudocrem and hoping this will solve the problem. I hope you are more comfortable after your soreness as well, as I remember you were suffering with the same. I am trying to be positive about things but every now and then I have a rogue bad thought pop into my mind. I suppose we just have to take it one day at a time and hope for the best. Wishing you all the very best and a big hug xxxxx Lily

[sar54]

Cla46 glad you are finding it easier now. It will be over in no time. Flossy yes, it was good to chat last week. I had a round of applause in the waiting room when I finished on Friday.

Today was lovely being able to do 'normal' things with no more appointments. I can't stop grinning, such a relief. Skin just a bit pink but manageable.

i can identify with the putting on weight issue...as well as the lack of exercise since July people keep feeding me cake.

best wishes everyone x

[Jas58]

It's not too bad...aloe Vera gel seems to help. Very tired 😴 today though and unhappy at putting on weight because not exercising regularly! 😨

[Cla46]

Hello lovely ladies, I hope everything went well for you today Flopsy I'm in my second week now and it's surprising how quickly you get used to everything. I hope everyone else is doing well.
Jas how's your underarm?
I wonder if I'll see you this week Flossy? In mostly around lunch time and a 2.25 Friday lv Clair xxx

[Dizzybee]

Lena Mary, I also had a wound that was very slow to heal, though no infection thank goodness. I had a bloody discharge, the surgeon told me it was only seroma fluid leaking. Not pleasant, but not anything to worry about, so hopefully you will get some reassurance when you see them.

My sister was treated for breast cancer last year at Exeter and was very happy, wish I could say the same about Dorchester!

[Janey2]

Good luck for tomorrow Flopsy. I hope you sleep well tonight xx

[Lena Mary]

Thanks again, Janey 2. Will pop in next time we are at the hospital.

[Lena Mary]

Thank you, Sue.  Hope the Oncologist reads it!!  ( weak joke).  Just wish the infection would clear up and I could see my way forward.

Best of luck with the rads.  Hope it will be over for you by Christmas so you can relax.  Hugs.

Lena Mary

[Janey2]

Hi again. If you go to the FORCE building there is a reception desk staffed by volunteers. They should also be able to point you in the right direction for accessing their support. I don't think there are any BC nurses there, but they have access to Physio, counselling and alternative therapies. If the Anastrazole gives you hot flushes etc, there is an acupuncture group, which is great both for treatment and meeting others. Xx

[Flopsy]

I got my first appointment tomorrow and so nervous. Had little sleep for the past 2 nights.

One would think, that after diagnosis, chemo and surgery, that I would be used to all of "this" by now but each new part comes with it's own set of fears.

[Sue C]

Hi Lena Mary

I just wanted to say that the oncologist will not go ahead with the treatment until you have recovered so please don't worry. I also had grade 3 and will be starting rads in a weeks time, so can't advise you on that as haven't experienced it myself yet! 

Take care and look after yourself. 

Sending a hug x

[Lena Mary]

Thank you Janey 2. Glad you are past your rads. Who woul I speak to at Force? I did go to the meeting but wasn't sure who to approach.

[Janey2]

Hi Lena Mary. You are very definitely not a cry baby. We all have up and down days and definitely far more up for me now rads are done and I think I'm past the worst of fatigue and soreness (fingers crossed!). I just wanted to offer some reassurance. It seemed to take for ever to meet the oncologist but the one I saw was lovely and I've heard nothing but good for the others in Exeter also. There is a bit of a delay sometimes in call backs from the BC nurse voicemail but they do usually call back within 24 hours. Have you got the number to hand? They should also be supportive. I had an infection which did clear up in time luckily, but they did provide lots of reassurance to me and I hope they can help you too. There is also lots of support available at FORCE - even just popping in for a coffee is welcome time out. Hugs xx

[Lena Mary]

Hello ladies, am due to see the Oncoligist in November at Exeter.  Since my op on 5/6 October (had to go back to theatre next day and be opened up again because of large blood clot) I have had a breast infection ever since.  I am now on my 3rd week of antibiotics and at last there is some indicstion that it is clearing up.  Unfortunately anout a week ago I began to have a "bloody discharge" as the local doctor out it from where my nipple used to be.

I am worried that the Oncologist will just go ahead and start treatment without the area being fully healed.

Due to have 4 weeks radio and would you believe,10 years of Anastrozole then a bone tablet for 5 years.  As I am 80 years old, do you think all this will be worth it or should I just go without rads and keep my fingers crossed.  I had grade 3, and all nodes removed but only 3 had cancer.  Have shooting pains in my breast also, is this normal or is this the breast trying to get back to semi-normal?  I know you are not experts but if anyone who had similar problems in the past couldvdrop a line I would very much appreciate it.

Good luck to you all - you all appear thave a great fighting spirit and I feel a bit of a cry baby when I read your letters.  Lena Mary

[daffodil]

Hooray - halfway through on friday, 9 done, 9 to go. I am getting more used to the waiting (a good book definitely helps) and i even went in early on thursday. My skin is ok, just a little red near my scar. Strangely I am less tired this week than the first week (I think maybe i have got better at pacing myself and resting when needed) and have managed a 'normal' weekend including going out on friday and Saturday evenings.

Hope no one is suffering with their skin and that you are all enjoying a fun and restful weekend. Aileen x

[Powdow]

Transpires I can use cream after all, I think they just say no cream because they don't want you using any old cream that might be full of perfumes wtc so they gave me zerobase. However I am just using my Dermol 500 as that's been fine.
2 down 13 to go!

[Cla46]

Jas I use E45 cream as I'm allergic to most other things, my bcn said anti histamine tablets help as well. I hope it settles for you soon.
Beth
Thank you for your kind words. Tiredness must also be a big contributer to my mood I slept really well last night and feel like a different person today have a lovely weekend everyone lv Clair xx

[Kathy68]

I've been using aloe vera which has helped with itching but radio staff said I could take an antihistamine tablet if needed - me being me am trying to hold off as long as possible!

[Jas58]

Under arm very itchy and sore. Any tips? 👌

[Kathy68]

14 out of 20 done for me now...skin sore, itchy and very spotty but sticking with the Aloe vera unless the skin breaks and will then get something from rads team. Tiredness seemed to catch up with me after no 12 so taking every opportunity to rest and looking forward to the weekend off. Feeling upbeat that I'm nearly at the end of rads.Keep strong everyone once rads start they soon pass.

[Flossy03]

Wahoo 10 of 15 done!  😀 This time next week it will all be over.   Sar54 it was lovely talking to you today, sorry our chat was interrupted by me getting called in,  it was nice to speak to someone with the same sort of thoughts as me x 

[Beth123]

Hi 

I know how you feel and I'm not starting Rads until the 1/12 now. The smallest thing can make me cry.....yesterday it was the new john Lewis advert. I am an emotional wreck so who knows what I'll be like once rads start!!

hope you're all ok 

Beth 

[Cla46]

First week done and I'm tired, teary and fed up there's no reason why but I hope it passes soon as it's getting silly, I break down in tears over absolutely nothing and even more so when people are nice to me. Hope everyone else is doing ok have a restful weekend lv Clair xx.

Oh on a positive my skins still good 😉

[Cla46]

Congratulations Sarah <3. I've knocked my door for you xxxxx onwards and upwards love Clair xx

[Janey2]

Congratulations and lots of bells for you today!
Sue the sudocrem has worked. Skin was red but not broken and now as good as new! No call back from BC nurse but a midwife friend said she thought it would be fine. Happy Friday to all of you x

[sar54]

At last...final rads today 😀

[Sue255]

Thanks Janey and Mary,

i was told not to put cream on if broken skin and speak to doc. Also to let air to it. We hear so many different things don't we. As not at home today I pinched a bit of foam dressing from dads supply and taped it underneath while out!!! Nothing like improvisation lol. It's one of the hazards of being big busted I think after rads. Janey, I hope yours improves too. Let me know if you find a solution!

mary, I hope your back eases too. It's not easy trying  to deal with these things. Take good care.

sue x

[marydan]

Sorry Sue to hear you are sore.I have been very fortunate through the rads and a month today was when I finished and apart from the odd jabnof pain the breastis fine.I never used creams etc but hopefully you will get some really good advice from the other great gals going through this awful journey.

My worry now is that my achy,stiff back could be something sinister which I know is totally an extreme thought.Hopefully when I have finished with all the appointments coming up within the next few weeks I will be me again and return to work after Chistmas. Love and hugs to you.Mary xx

[Janey2]

Hi Sue. I'm not sure if I should have but yesterday I put sudocrem where it's sore under boob. Everywhere else I'm sticking with udder cream but figured it wasn't a site where rads were aimed. I tried to check with BC nurse but no reply to voicemail. It has helped but I'm not sure if I've broken any rules! My logic was I was happy to use it with a baby?!

[Sue255]

Anyone post rads got any good advice ffor a very sore area under breast! I know to leave bra off or non wired if I have to wear one but today is quite painful!!  Thanks, Sue 

[Chris52]

Hi everyone, well in 10/15 done and can't believe how quick the time has gone. Unless I'm delayed by servicing of the machines I shall be finished this time next week. I've been creaming since the start and haven't had any problems, different hospitals have their own ideas. Good luck everyone. Xx

[daffodil]

Hi everyone,

Welcome Powdow - good luck for tomorrow. You are really lucky to have them at the same time every day.

Flossy - How lovely to be half way. Can't wait until I am on Friday.

Jas - Glad you are started again.

Cla47 - Sorry you've been having a hard time today. Hope the pains stop soon.

Isn't it strange how some hospitals tell you to put cream on and some don't, not to mention the different rules about deoderant and shaving! Now I wonder if my religious creaming has been a waste - but then it's nice to feel there is something you can do to help yourself in this situation.

Number 7 for me today and so far so good. I've calmed down about the unevitable 20/30 minutes wait by getting a really good book. Took the parking issue out of the picture on Monday by walking to the hospital from my work. Took half an hour of quick walking but much better than battling the traffic and parking. I plan to do that whenever the appointment time works out on a work day.

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Aileen