October rads anyone? Calling all Doreen's!

[Janey2]

I lost quite spectacularly - I'm sure there is a rule somewhere I should be allowed to win. I was treated to a delicious roast in a favourite pub too, so a much better end to the day than the start. Keep creaming! Xx

[Sue255]

Janey, hope you didn't cheat at the crazy golf!! Haven't played that in ages. Sounds good fun and just what was needed eh. Hope everyone has a good week. 7  to go for me. Can't really say how I feel at the moment as a combination of all sorts of feelings.  

will post again in the week. Sue x

[Janey2]

Thank you for the lovely comments. Mind you I'm a bit fed up I got a marmite craving, sushi sounds so much more exotic, although maybe it has something to do with umami?! You are a lovely bunch. I did ramble a bit. Anyway, I've broken out the big guns and destroyed my aloe vera plant and slathered myself in the gel. It was so soothing and wish I'd gone for it before. Today a new day and other half (thank goodness for the patience!) is taking me to the seaside to beat me at Crazy Golf and hopefully cheer me up, although that hug did wonders Helen, a big one back at you!
LFaye maybe it's the best time to go for the dream job...you certainly deserve something lovely to happen. My BC nurse said the rads would leave me run down. Not sure why I thought I'd be any different! BC really is the gift that keeps on giving... have lovely Sundays all of you and thank you again. Hugs xx

[Jas58]

Yes I feel hungry much of the time....very strange as usually stress and anxiety reduce my appetite completely.....🙄

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@LFaye wrote:
Sorry that last comment was meant for Janey!

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[LFaye]

Sorry that last comment was meant for Janey!

[LFaye]

Hi Helen13,

Thank you for brightening my day with your Demelza comment, I'm on 19 of 25 and although I know people mean well, I find it so irritating when they say things like that. I'm generally irritable at the moment though haha.

I'm having cravings! It was sushi last week and now I've demanded Thai food today, I don't think it's linked to the radio, just whatever makes me happy!

Do you just feel generally run down? I'm 26 and look like a spotty teenager again and am waking up feeling so grumpy, my poor boyfriend is so patient!

I've got a job interview on Thurs, for a job I've always wanted, but I can't help but feel it's the worst timing! There's a fine line between pressure to return to normal and giving myself too long to overthink things!

Xx

[Helen13]

Hi Janey, just wanted to let you know that even though you (& others) are coming to the end of your daily hospital visits please dont feel that you are alone. I totally understand your anxiety but you have inspired and kept so many people upbeat on here over the last few months, me included, and many times your lovely sense of humour has made me smile when ive been feeling low. We may not be able to give each other a big hug in real life but im sending a virtual one to you now. The bc nurses are here on the forum plus a wealth of experience from those who have been through it before us and i would hope that your own care team have or will reassure you that you can ring them if you are worried at all. I hope you managed to get some sleep in the end and hope you can take something for the pain. We are still all here for each other even after treatment finishes xxxx

[Janey2]

Hi. A combination of tablets, pain and incessant barking of nreighbour's dog has left me seeking solace here! Debs, Suzi and Lily I finish tomorrow after 20 too. The boosters have been a struggle, as positioning has been a problem and pain has started under my arm and boob. I am also starting to feel anxious about Tuesday onwards and going alone. I'm fighting also the urge not to do "a Demelza" on the next person who says "nearly done", as I sweetly smile and say I'll be cooking for a while longer! I've mostly driven myself in but haven't been at work, for which I'm thankful. My times were all over the shop and I have struggled with tiredness and low mood. Sue it sounds like transport and machinery have been conspiring against you!
Clair I was told no shaving. The last couple of days my underarm has been quite sore. As to the medication side effects, I think Bubonic Plague is the only thing missing from the list. Is anyone having cravings?!?! I could eat marmite all day!!
Well, the dog has stopped and I'm going to try for sleep again. Thanks for listening. I don't know about you but this site has been my sanity at times, so thank you for being there xx

[Lily59]

Hi Debscoops,

Thanks for your lovely encouraging post. I have two to go as well so we will finish on the same day. I will raise a glass to you! Just feeling a bit emotional at the moment coming to the end of treatment - wondering what I will feel when on my own without the hospital and doctors. I expect everyone feels like this - it's a long journey with fear and stress and it's a bit like being cut off and told to go on your way. Very scary! I hope you are o.k. and wish you and everyone on here the best of everything for the future xxx Lily

[debscoops]

Hi I thought I would drop back in  - just to say I had Day 18 of 20 yesterday, so like others Saturday (today) is my potter do nothing day,  I sailed through the first 10, I have felt tired but nothing out of the ordinary, and I have worked throughout (albeit office based) and driven myself for my appointments at 8am in the morning then to work, over the last 8 days the tenderness and now the soreness and redness has reared its head, but I have used Diprobase, Aveeno and the Radio Nurse has also given me some cream which kind of puts a film over the soreness, please ask, it does work  Ditched the underwired bra, because that felt like cheese wire.   Yes it is like sunburn, and I have soreness all round the book under the arm and underneath and now moving its way around the top.  I  have been advised it will get worse even after the treatment finishes on Tuesday but after two weeks it will be a lot better.   We are all different and the targetting of the radiotherapy is slightly different, I had 15 days of all the breast and then am now on target tumour base where it was removed from.    I am so looking forward to the last one, as I know I will probably cry, open a bottle of champagne, as they do say you dont realise how stressing this is, and the relief will be overwhelming.  Keep smiling,  I am hopefully at the end of the line now, and get the all clear after seeing Consultant on 22 December  XX

[Sue255]

Cla46. I think all places give different advice so maybe check with your hosp. Prob best. X

[sar54]

Jas58 I'm going a little pink under my boob. They said yesterday that they treat a wide area, from the notch in the middle where the collarbones meet just below your throat, down the centre of the chest, across just below the breast and out to the arm pit area. All this needs to be moisturised, which I hadn't realised, and they gave me some cream - Epimax as Aloe Vera gel is good for dealing with any heat sensation but Epimax is better for moisturising.

enjoy the weekend all xx

[Jas58]

I was told emphatically not too? Not sure about waxing etc though. Will ask? Starting to go a bit pink in chest area but not boob??

[Cla46]

Thank you Sue 🙂 xx

[Sue255]

Think you just have to be very careful not to cut yourself. No one has told me not to I must admit.

sue

[Cla46]

As I was soaking in the bath I had a random thought as you do 🙂 can I still shave under my arm during rads? xx

[Sue255]

Hi lily,  you're almost there! Must be a nice feeling nearing the end. Today I had a later appt. got in on time. Got to train station and it was cancelled. Waited an hour for next one. Rolled in at 7.30pm shattered. Oh well the weekends here. Hope you have a good one and everyone else on here too. 

Sue xx

[Lily59]

Hi Sue255,

Hope you had a better day today after what happened yesterday! Well done for running for the train - I don't think I would have the energy. Feeling tired now after 13 rads, still - only 2 to go. I see a lot of the ladies have joined the new November thread - I have my last zap on the 1st.  Hope all you ladies have a lovely restful weekend.  xx hugs x Lily

[sar54]

SusieQ - don't dwell on the hair loss - the oncologist who prescribed my Letrozole suggested I didn't take too much notice of the list of side- effects as they cover more or less everything apart from being run over by a bus - her words!

[SusieQ]

Hi everyone,  its been a few weeks since i've been on the forum - just catching up.  only 3 sessions of rads left to do.  skin not bad at all - a little pink but no discomfort using plenty of E45. not sure about tiredness whether its the treatment or driving to and from hospital on a daily basis thats causing it.

just been prescribed Letrozole and read possible side effects - hair loss!!! please no its just started to look like a normal style not the chemo style look.

does anyone still have loss of sensation in fingers and toes? how long is it suppose to last?

Good luck to everyone love and hugs xx

[Sue255]

I hope everyone has had a good day. I was half hour late in of my session today and 40m in there!!! Twice the mechanic man had to come in. Thankfully my modesty was preserved!! Then they had to start putting me in place again but hey ho on we go. Lol

Oh, and I just managed to make my train by running!!! Ok if you've got a decent support bra on!!!! 

Have a good evening all. Hubby cooking tea. Sue xx

[Sue255]

Hi daffodil, I'm sure you will get on fine when you start. See how you feel and if you need time out then at least you can take it. I had Time off at th advice of my Parkinsons nurse and with the hour travel each way I'm glad I did. Halfway through my rads. No problems at mo to breast but keep moisturising. All th best, Sue x

[sar54]

Day 4 no delay today, was seen early, in and out in 15min. Shoulder getting a little stiff. Keep doing the exercises everyone xx

[Chris52]

Hi, I've just been reading all your comments I just wished I'd looked sooner. Had my second session today and was ok. I've been really nervous about having radiotherapy. I'm not normally afraid but this has freaked me out for some reason so glad to get started. Have had a headache both days but put this down to stress. Only 13 to go. Good luck everyone.

[Lily59]

Welcome Daffodil!

Glad you joined us and found the thread helpful. Good luck with your rads on the 1st. Just keep well moisturised and hydrated. There shouldn't be a problem with working as long as it isn't too strenuous. All the best xx Lily

[daffodil]

Hi everyone.

I am eventually starting my radiotherapy on 1st November so have just started a November thread. Hope you don't mind me joining you here until a few people have joined the new thread.

I have just read right through your thread and found it really useful so thank you for all your handy tips and insight.

I am hoping to work through (I only work 15 hours a week) certainly initially, but my work are really understanding so i will be able to take time off as and when needed.

Good luck to all of you still having treatment or still cooking afterwards.

Aileen

[sar54]

Day 3, a little bit pink in some areas now. Appointment delayed an hour so I'm making sure I've got something to read each day. 

best wishes to all xx

[Janey2]

Sorry my phone put the extra king in there. Promise no potty mouth!!

[Janey2]

Hi. I think it's a bit hit and miss with tiredness and fatigue. I'm fairly certain hormone treatment has an impact too. I was fine for the first couple of weeks and then I started to feel more tired. I've noticed i feel wiped on a Saturday and good on a Sunday ready to start again each Monday. I've mostly driven myself but have been pathetically grateful for lift offers at the end of the week! 2nd day of boosters much quicker than the first. Boob still looking king sunburnt and not happy with a seatbelt but creaming and a silk hankie seem to be working.
I hope all treatments have gone ok today xx

[Jas58]

Day 3 for me. No problems yet...when does tiredness redness etc usually kick in?

[AliC_64]

Day two out the way - yesterday was a lot better than I was expecting but was still a little anxious. I think it's a lot to do with worrying about lifts , traffic delays etc etc and that's before the actual zap. But hopefully once I start on a regular time next week that will ease. Only 13 to go 😊

[Kathy68]

Thanks for the reminder Kary, will make sure I smother myself. I've had a bolus put on for the treatment (because the lump was close to skin surface?)and skin was a little bit pink this morning when I arrived for #2, so have been told to keep an eye on it for signs of infection. Anyone else had a bolus applied?

[Kary]

Kathy remember to gel your under arm too.Glad it's getting over for you sue,janey and everyone else,its a week today since I finished rads,skin looks sunburnt,still cooking but holding out ok,i haven't had any fatigue yet I hope I don't,the nurse said it should peak around 10/14 days.

[Lily59]

Hello Ladies, 

Glad all those who started today found it o.k. 

Sue - hope you get a good night's sleep after your long day!

Sending gentle hugs to all - x Lily

[Sue255]

Not long in after my evening session. Was almost 45 mins late in so it made this one a bit tiring. Feeling very tired today. No other side effects as yet. Another later one tomor too so see how it goes. It would be nice to get in on time especially when you have travelled an hour to get there! All very friendly but varying each day so far. 

All the the best to those ladies about to start tomor and anyone just started. We're all in this together. Xx

[sar54]

Thanks Janey, hadn't given a thought to any of these things xxx

[Janey2]

I think someone somewhere said keeping hydrated is good for skin integrity, fighting fatigue and also flushing out the cells they've zapped. I do notice I get headaches when I dont drink enough xx

[sar54]

Thanks Janey, that makes sense now.

They advised to keep well-hydrated, with water or squash. Just wondering if this is for side-effects on the skin or fatigue or to help the healthy cells in general...

[Janey2]

Hi. When I started rads I was told I would have X-rays taken for the first few sessions to make sure they had their measurements right and that I would then have x-rays once a week. For the boosters I've been told they will take pictures each time to ensure positioning is ok. X

[sar54]

I had my 2nd zap today. Had about half hour delay on the appointment so got to chat to some of the others in the waiting area. I didn't think to ask - what are the pictures they take before they do the rads?

[Janey2]

I hope everyone's treatments have gone well today. In a weird way I shall miss the familiar faces when I finish! First of my boosters today, which took a bit longer than before, but are essentially the same procedure but with some extra pictures before each site is zapped. Wishing you all peaceful evenings xx

[Kathy68]

So had first session this morning and it was absolutely fine. Took about 20mins in total. No funny sensations or tingles. Going to start with the Aloe Vera straight away. Good luck Ali for your first today. Thank you to all for your wise words over the past few weeks.

[Jan456]

Welcome all of you lovelies starting this week 🙂 I was where you are now last week and now just completed no. 6, 9 to go. It's a routine to fall into - although they are keeping me on my toes with time changes and machine changes! Suddenly had a 09:00 appt today - the rest are around lunchtime - didn't feel too good for the first time - but I suspect it was more the shock to my system of getting back out into rush-hour traffic than the rads!
Radiotherapists all still lovely and some have the knack of greeting you like an old friend - it all helps the process.
Hang on in there everyone 🙂 x

[AliC_64]

Thank you everyone for the good luck wishes for today. I'm sure once I get the first one out the way I'll be fine. It's just the thought of it st the moment that's slightly freaking me out xx

[Lily59]

Good Luck for tomorrow AliC x nothing for you to feel apprehensive about honestly xx Lily

[Lily59]

Glad you got a call back Janey - one less thing to worry about. xx I'm not surprised we're all run down after all this!  Time to treat yourself? I think so! Take care x Lily

[Lily59]

Good Luck for tomorrow Kathy! The days pass quite quickly once you start. The travelling back and forth every day can be tiring though. Hope you haven't got too far to go. xx

Hi all the other ladies - glad some more have started today. I had number 9 today - 6 to go. No soreness yet but starting to feel a bit tired. xx Onwards and upwards x Lily

[Kathy68]

First session for me Tomorrow-feeling surprisingly calm. Hope everyone has a good week x

[Jas58]

Yes had my first bout today too😉I have a very small team and the same time every day so count myself 🍀 fell asleep this aft though..

[Sue255]

Blimmin predictatext! Meant Sue lol