October 2017 radiotherapy

[ladybowler]

pecan

Never thought about it like that.

Mine was post menopause so not sure what difference it made to me

Helena x

[pecan]

Ladybowler, I understand that.  But if the cancer started before menopause, and was discovered post menopause, then the oestrogen it was feeding off is no longer there.  Or has been halved.  It's not as though the fat wasn't there before menopause, or suddenly started producing oestrogen after menopause.  It's like shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

[ladybowler]

pecan

I remember asking why I needed to have hormone tablets as I was post menopausal, apparently even though we are there is still oestrogen in our fat xx

[pecan]

Hwin, I'm glad I'm not the only one.  I didn't have to have chemo, thankfully.  They do want me to take Letrozole (as well as rads), and I just don't understand.  If I were premenopausal and there were no other changes in my life, I could understand the need to block oestrogen.  And if I were 10 years post menopause, then I can understand them wanting to use the aromatase inhibitor.  But if the cancer has been growing for several years, feeding off oestrogen, and I recently went through menopause, surely my body has already shut off the oestrogen?  I have decided to ask for an oestrogen level test, but can't find any information regarding what they should and shouldn't be.

I feel like a fish, flapping around on a beach, with everyone watching.  It's as though the doctors and nurses are all watching me foolishly protesting, saying to each other Oh, she'll come round eventually.  And I'm afraid I probably will, with nobody to actually answer the questions I need answered.

[Debbie1964]

Hi lisa and peggy, what a coinsidence three ladys in october thread all at churchill, i finish 16th,

Very nice at the churchill all very friendly

[Hwin]

Pecan, I am trying to find a reason to refuse a treatment too - I swing back and forth about every 6 hours!  It's bisphosphonates and I am a fit, active, outdoor type who was (before treatment) only just menopausal, so I'm only just into the group they're supposed to benefit, but the side effects from the 6 treatments are lifelong and while they make your bones denser, they definitely don't make them stronger.  Some days I think "I'd be crazy to reject any treatment that might reduce the risk of secondaries, even if it only reduces the risk by a few percent" and other days I think "I'm not increasing my risk of fractures for a few percent benefit that I could probably gain by taking a daily aspirin".  It's a tough call and the doctors don't really help - my oncologist said "Oh, there are no side effects to bisphosphonates" - a quick bit of research shows that's not true at all.

14 rads done, 5 (1 and 4 boosts) to go, I finish this day next week.  Can't wait!  So far so good, no real side effects, it's only in the last day or so I've seen slight pinkness to skin.  Apparently I have my review tomorrow where they have a look at how my boob's doing with the treatment.

[monkey12]

Hi Peggy, have sent you a private message hopefully!

Lisa xx

[charboyles]

Hi Lisa

ISo pleased you have got in touch and thank you for replying. I live in the Banbury area and all my operations were at the Horton hispital, but other appointments have been at the Churchill, to see surgeon & oncoligist, though BXA done at the Nuffield. When I start radiotherapy  treatment my apps are between 4pm & 6pm for the 15 sessions. I am trying to work in the morning on reduced hours and then travel up to Oxford. Because I have to relie on my daughters to do the taxi service, also they have a family life which has been turned upsede down since June of this year , not a person who is usually ill. Started taking my hormone tablet a fornight a go and up to date, no side effects. 

Would be could if we could swap info, if you prefer do it by private messages.

Love Peggyxxx

[monkey12]

Hi Peggy

I'm starting radiotherapy on 9th also, finishing on 27th - left side too!  Will be at The Churchill Hospital in Oxford - is that where you will be? Although I've been following the forum for months, this is my first post, so no idea if this will work or not lol!  

Lisa x

[Flyingarcher]

Oooo dizzi, I know what you mean.  I started having a real pity party on Thursday.  Was a sad bunny.  Went for a walk and felt better.  Recommend fresh air.  Am booking off work from Wednesday as the fatigue was quite bad on Friday.  Did manage a day out yesterday with the husband, which was nice.  Just wondering whether to go to the course I'm booked on in London tomorrow or not.  I will have to leave after three hours to ensure I get the train back.  Shall see.

my husband isn't coming to any rad appts.  Bit pointless really him being there - I'd rather he cooked supper or emptied the dishwasher!

i've gotfourth one tomorrow.  Good luck to all.

[benandflo]

Hi there

Start on 9th. 17 sessions in total xxx

[pecan]

I'm seeing the onc again on Thursday, but my wound seems far from ready.  We'll see what she says.  I'm still trying to find reasons to refuse the rads and/or the Letrozole.

[ladybowler]

dizzcat

Yes of course its only radiotherapy, its only going to and from the hospital 5 days a week for at least three weeks and having your skin blasted!!!!!  I think you might be right, perhaps it is them trying to make themselves feel better or misguidedly making you feel better

Mate you will be fine.  I think you are right the first one is the worst because it is the longest and also you are at the stage again where it is fear of the unknown on top of everything else and then building yourself up to going only to find they are cancelled.  How many sessions are you having.

Just make sure that you drink plenty of fluid, moisturise well and get plenty of rest when you need it, your body will let you know.  I think the worst part of the rads for me was the going back and forward to hospital and the delays each day but you it seems like a distant memory now and it is amazing once you get halfway you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Just a suggestion have you thought about having some counselling to help you.  If you have a Maggies or MacMillan centre by you I believe they offer that service, also through your breast care nurse she can arrange that.  It might help you as you will be able to talk in a safe comfortable environment with someone who will be able to help you without you having to worry about upsetting those close to you.

Sending you a hug and come on here whenever you need to as there will always be someone who will be able to help and support you

Helena xxx.

[dizzcat]

Hi everybody. I've just had my second rads and third will be tomorrow so all still pretty new. No ill effects so far, although I did sleep for 11 1/2 hours after the second one! I think probably tired more from the stress of worrying what to expect and my rads got cancelled for first few days. I have been signed off work as as well as the fatigue I got from my 2 operations, I am just so emotional and cry at the drop of a hat. I consider myself very lucky that I didn't have to have chemo, but get a bit fed up when people say it's only radiotherapy. In fact the whole process so far people have treated me almost like it's nothing because I'm not having chemo. I don't know if it's more that they can't handle it or if they're trying to make me feel better. But when I get anxious, depressed or upset then I feel like a weakling. Does anyone else feel like this? Also my husband hasn't been especially supportive and has only come to some appointments when I've really pushed him to and is talking about being away during part of my rads treatment. It feels like a very lonely place to be sometimes. Is it just that men don't bother or just me?

Wishing luck to all the lovely ladies going through rads in October ( and before and after)

Xxx

[ladybowler]

Peggy

Hello mate, I've popped up - well drink plenty, rest plenty and moisturise plenty 🙂 🙂

Oh it would be nice if you were able to link up with other ladies in Oxford

Helena xxx

[charboyles]

Hi Ladies

I will be starting my first session of radiotherapy on 9th so hopefully will be finished  the 27th, it will be pn the ;left side, so I have had my practice session at my CT scanm so hopefully it will go according to plan, it seems I have shallow breathing. Hopung to continue working on reduced hours whilst having treatment, but will see how it goes. Would be lovely to char to other ladies from the Oxfordshire area, but I;m sure Helena will be popping up with her messages of drinking plenty and getting rest.

Good Luck to everyone on this thread and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Peggy

[ladybowler]

Helzie

Hello and welcome to the thread.

Well that journey will be tiring it is a good job you have got people to take you.  I think you are right, it is the stress from the new experience of treatment but you will soon get used to it.

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

flossybear

Hello and welcome to the thread and forum

Just make sure you take plenty of fluid in as that is where the fatigue can happen as a result of the dehydration effects from the rads.  Also the daily travelling to and from the hospital can take its toll on you as well, just listen to your body and it will tell you when you need to rest

Look forward to ringing the bells for you before Christmas.  I actually started mine on the 20th December last year and finished on 19 January this year.

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Flyingarcher

You are amazing, so funny you have brought a huge smile to my face with your descriptions

Helena  xxx

[Helzie]

Hi Ladies,

I. too, will be joining you all having started treatment yesterday-so two sessions already over! Had further (successful) surgery 3 weeks ago for re-excision of margins-originalWLE in Feb, followed a month later by chemo, which I completed in July. So not much breathing space between treatments! Rads are at a different hospital and unlike that for all other treatments, is 40 mins  away. Luckily I've got friends and family to help out with transport there and back as otherwise would be much more difficult.

Not much to comment on rads so far apart from feeling quite tired after first session yesterday, though I'd imagine a lot of that is due to the stress of new treatment experience etc Breast also felt 'warmer' last night! Apart from a bit of redness around the areola, not a lot else really. Surgeon did an excellent (cosmetic) job, so I hope rads don't alter shape, size etc.

I certainly hope the days fly by for us all and best of luck everyohe with your treatments!

Helzie x

[Debbie1964]

Hi boobybird

I am having radiotheraphy on my left breast, i two was worried about my heart, they do planning and ct scan before you start rads, some ladies have breathing lesson if its left breast, but not everyone, they said it wouldnt effect my heart so i dont need the breathing lesson, i have read that ladies that do need the breathing lessons find it very managble, hope this helps, and hope all ladys are feeling well, i have a late appointment today so been enjoying spending time with my grandkids, am looking forward to the weekend off.

[LadyMondegreen]

Was supposed to be day 3 and was just getting myself mentally prepared to set off and leave for the hospital when I received a call telling me the machine is down so today's session is cancelled.  It has been rearranged for next week in the evening on a day when I had already been advised would be a day off due to machine maintenance - so I will still get the day at home but just go at 7pm in the evening.  Phew, I wonder if this will be a regular occurance to expect! 

[flossybear]

Hello

I will be starting radiotherapy in October, so I thought I would join this thread.  Will be having radiotherapy of both sides for 3 weeks (tumour removed from one side and DCIS on other) and one week of booster treatment on left side.  so will all be done before Christmas 🙂

Have not had chemo, so hoping will not feel too fatigued

[Flyingarcher]

Went for a walk as had a bad case of the glooms. Feel better now.  Drinking loads and in the loo a lot!  The nork is a bit more hurty, I noticed today.  A few random stabby pains and this evening it was a bit grumpy.

very interesting when she showed me my CT scan.  I've seen my innards😄  The liver is HUGE!  Really funny to see these two hillocks (the norks), one fairly perky (operated boob) and one decidedly floppy.  I am deffo having the floppy one reduced and lifte.

[ladybowler]

Boobybird

Hello and welcome to this thread and the forum, where you will get loads of help and support from the wonderful ladies on here. 

I have not been in your position.  I know my consultant told me that the radiotherapy and the tablets were belts and braces so I went ahead with it. 

There are ladies on here who have had left sided rads and if you pop into the september rads thread I am sure there were some on there who would be able to help you some of them will be completing rads in October so will probably be posting on here as well.

I must admit I had no hesitation in having the rads and tablets as it is a small price to pay to help keep froma recurrence but then mine was right sided so I didnt have to make that sort of decision.

Sending you a hug

Helena xxx

[Boobybird]

Hello may I join you?

Having deliberated I find myself having radiotherapy. I fell into a grey area and it was questionable whether I needed it or not. Plus my cancer was on the left side and I had a mastectomy but am worried about any effects to my heart. So I initially declined about three weeks ago, however, I cannot get it out of my head that should my pleomorphic lobular/mixed ductal cancer come back if I had not done everything I could to prevent it, I would be upset. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation with this very difficult decision to make? 

[ladybowler]

LadyMonde

I still find some days that I come home and have a nap for 10/15 minutes, especially by a wednesday evening as it is an early start day for me.

I can be sitting there and my shoulders will feel heavy and that is me asleep, then I wake up and am fine again.

I think a lot of it is the travelling to from the hospital, and if you are working as well, it can be very tiring

xxx

[LadyMondegreen]

Hello flyingarcher, I had my second round of rads today as well.  I was surprised when I got home this afternoon to find myself feeling very tired and needed to have a nap almost immediately.  I was not expecting that sort of tiredness as I had heard that there is often a cumulative fatigue that builds up towards the end of the treatment.  I am definitely much more sleepy today than usual.  Apart from that I feel fine and I am drinking plenty of water.

[ladybowler]

Hiya mate

Well get some rest tonight.  Are you drinking plenty of fluid because the rads can cause dehydration

Helena xxxx

[Flyingarcher]

Hello all.  Just had my second lot of rads today.  All ok but am feeling tired but think that's just work plus the fatigue I still have from post op.   I'm tired and exhausted but not sleepy.  

Other than that, all good atm.

[ladybowler]

Ladies

Starting a new thread for October for those ladies continuing rads in October and those who will be starting.

Hope everyone is doing well

Helena xxx