November radiotherapy anyone?

[blueash]

It feels a bit odd that I will not have to get up and out to the hospital every weekday! I had 23 zaps consisting of 15 ordinary and 8 boosts. My skin is OK apart from a tiny bit under my arm where I was not putting anyy cream - only because I did not realise the beams went up that far!

I have to continue with the cream twice a day for at least two weeks and after that I can stop.

I have an appointment to see the oncologist in mid January and  I have to have Herceptin every 3 weeks so for that I need a heart scan and a blood test every 12 weeks. I do not need tomoxifen. I also have a appointment to see the surgeon in July and apparently I have a mammogram when I get there.

[Sue C]

Hi blueash

How does it feel? And what happens next? Would like to know when we can finally say we're done!

Best wishes xx

[Cla46]

Congratulations Blueash. I've knocked my door for you xx

have a restful Christmas lv Clair xx

[Janey2]

Bell rung here too. Congratulations!

[blueash]

Well that is me done. All over!!

[Boobywoo]

Hi Suza.g. I can recommend sage leaf tablets for hot flushes. Totally natural and do not compromise any hormone medication. I have had anxiety and panic attacks with depression in the past. My doctor put me on a low dose of sertrilene ( spelling may be incorrect ! ) . I don't like taking medication but I was feeling so bad I took it and it really helped. This was about 4 years ago. I took it for a year and haven't needed it since even though the dreaded cancer reared it's head in September. I try and walk in the country , practice mindfulness, have regular reflexology. All help. This cancer situation is a lot to deal with. Hope you feel better soon xx

[Sue C]

Hi Suza

So sorry that you're feeling like that. If I were you, I'd go back to the GP as they should be able to help with the depression. Maybe it's still early days coming off the hormone tablets. A few years back, I was having problems with panic attacks and not sleeping. I was given amitriptyline and refered to the Time to Talk team who talked me through cognitive behaviour therapy. These both helped and I got through it, but it took some time.

For me, I have to take one day at a time, and one treatment at a time. if I think about all the treatment I need, it's too much to cope with and then the panic kicks in.

I'm not sure if this helps, but sending a hug x

[Dizzybee]

Hi Suza, you sound like you're having a tough time. Have you thought about seeing your GP and maybe taking antidepressants, they usually are meant to be effective for anxiety and hot flushes as well. I know it isn't the route everyone wants to go down, I went when I just couldn't function properly any more. My GP was wonderful, it was such a relief to talk to someone who thought it was completely understandable to be struggling after everything that was going on. There aren't any prizes for struggling on alone, and getting help doesn't mean you've failed some sort of test.

Anyway, I'm saying this because I can see now that I should have gone a lot earlier, and things wouldn't have got so bad.

  We all need to be kind to ourselves, this is a slog we have to get through however we can.

Sending you a hug and hope you feel better soon.

[Suza.g]

Hi to everyone
My rads start on 12/12 and finish 3/1. I have been off Anastrazole for two weeks as I was so depressed but the depression isn't lifting
I'm 58 so post menopausal but at night I have panic attacks and hot flushes so I can't sleep.
Any advise would be grAtefully received as I'm at my wits end. I'm sure some or most of you can empathise and I'm sorry to burden you all. I just don't know what to do

[Kathy68]

Hi Clair. Sorry to hear you've been feeling unwell post rads. I have also been a bit surprised of the after effects, I'm 10 days post rads now and have extremely sore area where the booster/bolus were. I too was intending to get back to work in a couple of weeks but think now I may not go back til after Xmas. This does seem like a long road that were all on but think we do just need to let our bodies rest as they have been traumatised over the past few months. Take care of yourself and sending positivity to all x

[Cla46]

Thank you Helena, it's so frustrating because I was fine during the rads and was planning to go back to work part time next week but my Dr insisted I stay off,
I work in a special needs school and it's pretty full on and at this time of year nearly everyone is also poorly. I just thought this would be the end of it and I could get some normality back xxx thank you for your hug xxxx

[Cla46]

Hello lovely ladies, I was just wondering if anyone has suffered more after rads than during? Over the last few days my boob has swollen up just on one side and under my arm and become incredibly painful even waking me up during the night? The pain varies from a sharp stabbing pain to an ache and it constantly feels like a really bad bruise feeling. I keep getting waves of nausea and generally feel poorly. I saw my Dr who gave me a general check and did a blood test to check for an infection and my iron levels. I also spoke to the bcn who said that the after effects can be like this and I need to rest so now I'm signed off until January. I just feel so down and frustrated. Sorry if I've ranted on I just wondered if it's just me 😞 x

[Kathy68]

Congratulations Jas and Clair. Enjoy your new found freedom from rads! X

[Lily59]

Congratulations Jas!  xx Lily

[daffodil]

congratulations jas.

blueash - I had 15 regular plus 3 boosters. 3 days after finishing my skin is ok - just one itchy spot has come off and a tiny patch under my arm where the skin has broken. Neither are big enough for special cream so i have just been advised to keep those little bits clean and dry (not even moisturiser for those bits).

[Jas58]

No I had 25 because being treated privately and my oncologist prefers this way. It's standard in USA and elsewhere but not in U.K. My skin has held up well just a bit darker under my arm x

[blueash]

Jas were yours all regular or did you have any boosts? I was wondering how you skin was holding up because everyone else seems to get 15 regular and you and I are the only people I have come across to get more than 15 regular. I am getting the 15 regular/all over plus 8 boosts.

[Cla46]

Knocking my door for you Jas congratulations xxxx

[Janey2]

Ringing the doorbell for you Jas xx

[blueash]

I am darker under the treated arm too. Also I have a small skin break under the arm - I was not putting the cream there because i did not think they were blasting me under the arm! They have given me another cream just for the broken bit of skin, I cannot tell you the name of it because she took it out of a huge box and the tube she gave me has no name on it.

I have had 15 ordinary zaps and had the first of 8 boosts today.

[Jas58]

All 25 done and dusted...yippee 🎉👍🏻

[Flossy03]

Sar54 - I've just read your post and interestingly I have slightly darkened area in armpit.   I wasn't sure if it was where I didn't put cream and that's why it was looking darker but apart from that feeling fine. Hope you are ok too.   I think I will go to the moving on clinic in January so hopefully will see you there. 

[daffodil]

Thank you claire, and congratulations to you too. Fingers crossed the next 2 weeks are kind to us. Aileen x 

[Cla46]

Congratulations Aileen I'll knock my door for you ❤️ xxx
Beth it'll be over before you know it xx I'm still getting stabbing pains and often say ouch out loud I get some funny looks when I'm out 😉 xxx

[daffodil]

I finished today as well. So happy and relieved to be all done. Went out to lunch with some friends from work to celebrate. Aileen

[Beth123]

Hi Clair 

im OK. Been a bit uncomfortable on and off today with some stabbing pains which I mentioned to them this evening. All normal apparently and just the radiation irritating the nerves. They're keeping an eye on my lower scar now as its red and fuzzy already. Nothing unexpected though so they're happy enough. 

16 more to go!! God help me but onwards and upwards I go!! Xx

[Cla46]

I'll be knocking my door for you Jas on Monday have a restful weekend xx

[Cla46]

Thank you Beth xx how are you doing today? Xx

[Beth123]

Hi Clair

congratulations on finishing your rads!! Great news! Rang my doorbell for you!! Xx

[Cla46]

Thank you everyone I had a few tears on the way home but onwards and upwards <3. Xxx

[Janey2]

Bells and knockers for you on Monday Jas x

[Jas58]

Just one more to go 🎉

[Janey2]

Knocking knockers and ringing bells for you today Clair and everyone else finishing. Xx

[sar54]

Cla46 that 3 weeks went quick! Glad it has all been ok for you. The staff are all lovely aren't they? I had a little laugh with them most days.

I'm coming to the end of my 10-14 day peak after rads and I'm pleased to say there's been little change, just a bit darker especially in my armpit, so don't worry ahead, keep putting on the cream x

Best wishes everyone x

[Beth123]

Hi Clair

big day for you tomorrow!!! Another milestone reached. They say that the effects can build for a couple of weeks after the last one so make sure you take time to rest and look after yourself. 

Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow - if they have a bell, give it a good ring!!!

Beth x

[Cla46]

Hi Beth
glad it's all going ok, it's surprising what you get used to I've had a few male nurses and they've all been perfect gentleman. When I first started my boob and scar got a bit red but I think it's because you get handled a bit more in the beginning and my boob has been very sensitive since my operations but ask anyway as it's best to keep an eye on things. Your doing all the right things enjoy your lay in, it's my very last one tomorrow and my skin is doing ok still I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next 2 weeks that it stays that way lv Clair xxx

[Beth123]

Got my 3rd rads under my belt today. Starting to get in the swing of things now but did have a surprise today laying there after the first bit of zapping expecting the same lady to come back in to move the machine, when I heard "hi I'm Stuart!!". I had thought all along that I would only want ladies to do my rads but he was so pleasant and kind (and decent looking!!) that it really wasn't an issue. My husband had noticed that a 'man' had gone in to me and was worried but it was all ok!! I don't think there are many people left now that haven't seen my boobicles this year so one more doesn't make any difference!

one of my scars is looking a bit red and fuzzy so I think I'll mention that tomorrow just in case. I'd like to think they'd mention it there was something I needed to do but I'll mention it all the same. I'm drinking loads and moisturising with E45 intense a few times a day so hopefully I'm not forgetting to do anything. 

Late rads session tomorrow so I get my first lay in of the week yayyyy!

hope all you lovely ladies are all ok xx

[Beth123]

Hi

I'm being treated in Singleton hospital. Same as everywhere, the parking is a mare!

the staff in the unit are really lovely though and have been very kind. X

[Welsh lady]

That's great Beth, we are probably being treated at the same hospital as I'm guessing you're welsh by your name! x

[daffodil]

So sorry to read about all your troubles beth. Hope your mum improves soon and that you fly through the rest of your treatments with no issues. I'm sure like many of us on here you will be hoping for more luck in 2017. Fingers crossed for you all. xxx

[daffodil]

Hi claire, Thank you for your support. Hope you were lined up better today. I am always amazed how different it can feel each day. Some days when they adjust me it is so uncomfortable, some days it is fine and some days i dont need any adjusting at all. Only 2 more for me too.

Thanks Dizzybee.

Good luck to all those just starting. It really does fly by and i have found it has got a lot easier as i have got into the routine and got to know most of the radiotherapists. Can't believe i still keep meeting new staff though - after 3 weeks i thought i had met them all but 2 staff new to me today.

Aileen x

[Cla46]

Oh Beth you really are going through a tough time sending you much love and virtual hugs xxx sadly I think your right and as soon as you hit 40 things go down hill!!
Hi, Welsh lady and Sue C xx
I can't believe I've only got 2 sessions left it's gone so quickly, my skins still doing well although they said it'll peek in about 2 weeks so fingers crossed it's stays ok mind you I'm moisturising 3/4 times a day just to make sure. Lv Clair xx

[Sue C]

Hi Ladies

I just had my third one today and so far so good. Hospital and staff extremely efficient and lovely. Really sleepy this afternoon though, not sure if that's the radiotherapy.

Only 17 to go!

Sue x

[Beth123]

Hi Welshlady

im at the same stage as you. I had my second one today. Hope you found it ok today. 

We can compare notes as we go along! I'll be having 15 plus 5 boosters at the end. 

Beth x

[Welsh lady]

Hi, I've just had my first rads session of 15 today which went well & it was nice to have a meeting first where it was all explained to me & i could ask questions before i went in. I had questions about whether to apply cream & deodorant before sessions & was told it was ok. Anyone else at the same stage as me?

[Beth123]

Day two done. 🙂

Definitely get a bit warmer and an uncomfortable sensation after the rads. Wonder if it's because I suffer from eczema on and off over the years, so my skin is a bit more sensitive. I'm convinced too that around the end of one of my scars is looking a bit flushed. Im overthinking this ladies! Need to gently slap on the cream and ignore everything else. 

Mum has been admitted back in to hospital overnight. Looks like she's having issues after the most recent chemo. My sister and I are full of cold so are banned from visiting. Brother in law having big knee op today too. Is this an age thing? Since I've hit my mid 40's it's just been one thing after the other. Life seemed to be so much more gentle and uncomplicated in my 30's. 

Think I need to shut myself away till the new year and re surface when this is all sorted!! 😬

[Dizzybee]

Hi all

My planning session was extremely short and sweet, I'd expected it to take much longer. We were back out within 40 minutes, having been scanned and tattooed. The only creams they suggest are E45 and Diprobase, everything else is banned.

I only got the planning appointment because I said I was going to make a formal complaint, I got so tired of being fobbed off and then they said I didn't need a planning appointment.They'd tell me I was going to start but never put anything in writing, in fact I still haven't had a letter. Part of the problem is I have to keep swivelling between two hospitals, so the communication isn't great. I had the same problem being diagnosed, it took six weeks being referred backward and forward between the hospitals. Every referral was another 10 day wait.

But I'm really glad to get this going at long last, I'm definitely starting on the 30th, although they've only given me the times for the first two sessions. I'm due to finish on 21st December, which is why I didn't want things to drag on any longer.

[Cla46]

Well done Beth you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to it all xx
Aileen good on you I was in and out in minutes today and I'm certain they weren't as fussy as normal in getting my measurements, I had a different girl and same guy and even he asked her if she was happy with positioning. If it happens tomorrow I'm going to say something.
Dizzy I hope your planning went ok
Lv Clair xx

[blueash]

Dizzy how did your planning session go? Did they tell you what (if any) cream to use. They gave me a tube.

[Dizzybee]

Daffodil, well done for sticking to your guns. At least now you all be happy with what they're doing, it would be horrible to keep thinking, what if they had got it wrong? I'm glad you have a helpful oncologist, I'm not sure mine would listen.