September 2017 radiotherapy

[ladybowler]

Basia

I think you have had your last radiotherapy session today so ringing the bells for you well done thats it all over now, you just need to take it easy for the next couple of weeks and keep up your regime.

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Loretta

Oh flip everything at once, I know what you mean, we got free parking at the QE Birmingham, but you had to make sure that you got there really early in case you had to keep driving round to find a space before your apt time, was a pain.

Its this weather that doesnt help, I usually get a sore throat this time of the year because of the atmospheric changes, it happens in March as well 😞

Helena xx

[MoodyBlue]

Oh, and I have a sore throat, so I think I'm going in for a cold!

[MoodyBlue]

I agree,

the stress of the trip, relying on my daughter to take me. She has a toddler, we can't park anywhere as the hosp is so busy.

ive got a day off tomorrow as they are having work done on the machine but back in on Friday. Full week next week....

Loretta x

[ladybowler]

loretta

I think a lot of it is the stress of going to and from the hospital plus waiting around for your session.  I hated that part of it, I didnt like that my life was being controlled by this one apt every day, mine was a bit longer as well as I had 5 boosters and it was all done over the xmas period so it added 4 days on to the time for the bank holidays.

Helena xx

[MoodyBlue]

That's a great idea Helena, I'll put the cream in my bag.

Ive only had two sessions but I feel tired already! 

[ladybowler]

Lotetta

Thats what I was told when I had mine.  Not to use deoderant that had aluminium in it, they recommended pitroc which you can get from Boots, its a bit weird as it is a natural block which needs to be dampened or put on damp skin first.  I was told to use E45 and I was also at one point using aloe vera but they asked me to stop that and just use E45 and to keep it in the fridge so that it was cool to the skin.

I used to take my E45 with me so that I could apply it immediately after my rads session when I was getting changed

Helena x

[MoodyBlue]

Hi Hwin,

i was told not to use spray deodorant under my right arm or perfume and to apply e45 twice a day straight away. I have good skin so we will see.

Lotetta x

[MoodyBlue]

Thank you for the warm welcome Helena x

Loretta

[Debbie1964]

Hi i start mine 26th sep, i was told only to use simple soap, or johnsons baby soap, and they gave me a list of moisturisers i could buy, they said there rules have changed about deoderant and i could ude any but only if they were not treating area where lymph nodes were removed, seems all hospitals are slightly different.

Good luck everyone for your rads xx

[Shyam]

Hi , was told the same to use any shower gel and moisturising cream as long as it did not have SLS in the cream. Have had 4 sessions so far all ok  drinking like a fish which seems to have helped. 11 more to go can't wait for it to be all over.

[Hwin]

Hi MoodyBlue! I started today too 🙂

Interesting - the radiotherapist today told me "carry on completely as normal - whatever shower gels, deodorants etc. that you already use, continue using, but avoid anything very highly perfumed.  Tell us if you experience redness or irritation and we will give you something to use for that".  She didn't mention using moisturiser at all.  I have aloe vera and calendula cream - I think I'll just use the aloe vera lightly for the meantime, a few times a day.

Today's session was also longer, she said, because they do a few x-rays as well.  Hey, I have had so many x-rays in the last 7 months, what's a few more between friends?   One down, eighteen to go!

[ladybowler]

MoodyBlue

Hello and welcome to the thread, the first one is always the longest so that is one under your belt.

Helena 🙂 xx

[MoodyBlue]

Hi everyone,

adding my name to the list here.....had my first of fifteen sessions today!

[Hwin]

LauraJW, glad to hear they finally got their act together for you, hope the medihoney and massage help 🙂

busybeeS, brrr!  My planning scan was freezing too - hopefully I can conjure up a hot flush to warm myself up if the Radiotherapy suite is as cold   I start tomorrow, but have to go today for a "Pre treatment image check" whatever that is!  I am hoping they can find the tattoos - I can only see the one in the middle, the two under my arms seem to have disappeared.  Mind you I didn't have my reading glasses on when trying to see them (I'm still in denial about glasses)!

[busybeeS]

Thanks Guys. All done, never been that naked (only top half 😁) in such a cold room before. Couldn't stop myself shivering!!! Hope its not as cold tmrw otherwise I'll be bringing a flask of coffee with me!

[ladybowler]

Busybee

SUre you will be fine, the first one is always the longest as they have to check all the measurements again and the oncologists notes but after that it is only max 15 mins from getting undressed and dressed again.

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Laura

Yay that is fab news, I think sometimes they forget that what they think is "normal" is totally alien to us and causes us distress, I am so glad that she is being so proactive and supportive to you, that is going to make things so much easier for you

Helena xxxx

[Laurajw]

Finally saw a review nurse and she could not have been nicer. I now have medihoney and she has booked me in for a massage to try and help with the fatigue and insomnia.x

[Laurajw]

BusyBeeS

Good luck.  I am sure you will be fine.  It is a little odd to have peopple moving you around and talking over you but you will be well looked after.

[busybeeS]

Hi Helena, I'm having 23 sessions in total. Finish 11th Oct. Just getting ready to go now.

[ladybowler]

busybeeS

I am sure you will be fine.  How many sessions are you having?

Helena xxx

[busybeeS]

Rads start tmrw for me. Let's hope it goes as smoothly as surgery and chemo!

[ladybowler]

Jasper

Is that QE Birmingham?  If so that is the room I was in, they were lovely xxx

[Mama-bear]

8 sessions down, 15 to go.

My ribs are beyond painful and my back and under arm feel bruised to the point I'm back on the painkillers (haven't had to use them a couple of weeks post surgery)

I am so glad it's the weekend so two days break 

[Jasper]

I am at the Qe at the minute having radiotherapy, I go into room 7 . I have found everyone in that room absolutely amazing, you will have nothing to worry about, treatment is painless, and they are so helpful. Jo x

[ladybowler]

Laura

Grrrr!!!!! but as you say at least you can laugh about it today,  As you say lets us!!

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Judiriley

DOh!!! what am I like :).  Hopefully you will find someone on here who is in the same area as you

Helena xx

[Laurajw]

HI Helena

Feeling better today.  Asked for an appointment with the review nurse for today.  Had my rt session and sat waiting for the review nurse, only to be told that she had gone home early!!  Don't think I am meant to see her......at least today I could laugh about it.  They have re-booked the appointment for tomorrow so we will see x

[Judiriley9]

Ah.. I meant area specific to were you are having your treatment/radiotherapy.. I'm in Nottingham , and just wondered if any other ladies were at Nottm Breast Institute

[ladybowler]

Judiriley

Sorry I am not quite sure what you mean by area specific thread? x

[Shyam]

Thanks for advice. My appointments are in the afternoon around 4pm. Think  I'm lucky my hospital is just 10 minutes drive and have provided free parking.

[Judiriley9]

Thank you Helena ! I'm glad I found this forum..having a bit of trouble navigating my replies tho ! 🤔😏...is there an area specific thread available ? Good luck to all the ladies battling this ... Life suddenly seems to revolve around breast cancer all day and everyday 😳!

[ladybowler]

Judiriley

Hello and welcome.

Basically it is to ensure that you moisturise your breast well 2/3 times a day (but never less than 2 hours before a session), I used to take mine E45 with me so that I could apply it straight after each session, drink plenty of fluid I was recommended to take in at least 2 litres a day but whatever you can manage as it helps with the dehydration you can get following rads, and make sure you listen to your body it will let you know when you need to rest because the effect of going back and forward daily to the hospital can build up

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Shyam

I was advised to us E45 lotion, whatever your hospital has advised you need to apply 2/3 time a day, I used to take mine with me so that I could apply it after each sessions when I was getting dressed.  Make sure you maintain your fluid intake as that will help with any potential dehydration from the rads and listen to your body, it will let you know when you need to rest

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Laura

just checking to see how you are today, hopefully feeling better.  I think it is always good to have a cry it releases all the tensions.

Looking forward to ringing the bells on here for you finishing, is it the 15th or 18th Sept that you finish?

Helena xx

[ladybowler]

Ollybobs

When I had mine they were on the same day as the rads, rads first and then apt iwth the nurse.

I also had a review with my oncologist 8 weeks after I finished rads to see how I was.

Helena xx

[Judiriley9]

Hi...I started my radiotherapy yesterday 6th September 2017 .. First of 15 over three weeks.

im new to this site and forum so any advice will be welcomed !

Im at Nottingham Ciity Breast Institute, anyone else near me ?

[Lesley123]

Hi Shyam the hostpital usually give you cream but a lot of ladies use E45 with success, good luck with your Rads I am on number 10 today it's ok, going every day is more trouble than the actual treatment, put cream on  twice a day and drink 2 Ltrs of water and keep busy.🍀

[Ms Merton]

Neither - Doublebase is much better! Available at the pharmacy counter without prescription. Or you could ask your GP whether they can prescribe it so you can get free with cancer medical exemption certificate.

[Shyam]

Hi ladies, starting my 1st of 15 rads today feeling nervous. Can anyone tell me which is better E45 cream or E 45 lotion . Count down begins 🙂

[ollybobs]

Thank you ladybowler. Can I just ask, reviews is that an extra appointment at the QE or combined with one of rads appointments?

[Laurajw]

Thank you Helena.  Had a good cry earlier. Tomorrow is a new day & I will speak to them and ask for an appointment next week to talk x

[ladybowler]

Laura

You are not being a misery, for goodness sake with everything you are going through you dont need your care team not giving you the appropriate care.  Perhaps when you go tomorrow you could ask the rads team to sort out a proper appointment with the review nurse for next week as you want to discuss your progress so far, that will give her time to read your notes/

Sending you a virtual hug because you sound like you need one tonight.  It is very hard because your whole life is controlled by this one appointment every day but you will soon be on the homeward stretch and active treatment will be over

Come on here whenever you need to this is a lovely safe place for you to rant, rave, cry whatever and we all get you

Helena xxx

[Laurajw]

Hi everyone.  I am nearly half way through my RT and am having a really low day.  Today was my second review appointment.  At the first they were running 90 minutes late and by the time I was seen it was past the centres closing time and half the staff were waiting for me to be seen so they could leave.  In same breath I was told that this was my space to dicuss any concerns, thoughts, problems and told "but it is week one so you wont have any" and ushered out the door.  Also told she hadnt had time to read my notes so didnt know who I was or what treatment i was having  Today I sit in waiting room again with no sign of the review nurse only to be told by one of the radiology team half an hour later not to bother wait unless I have a real problem - they will catch up with me next week if they can.  I know I am lucky in that I have no sore skin, no itching - just some pain and fatigue.  Feeling like I don't count and am just a annoyance to be got rid of.  Not helped by my oncologist making it very very clear that I had DCIS and that this is not cancer so should be treated differently as I am "not interesting enough".  Sorry to be such a misery but it feels a little better to get it off my chest.

[Optimissy64]

You're on the home stretch then Lesley, and obviously doing it right! The water drinking is a pain but very necessary - I was peeing for England, but like you I did OK on the rads. I remember ticking the days off on the calendar, and the last day couldn't come quick enough for me. It felt like life was on hold while there was an appointment every day. Carry on guzzlng the water for a couple of weeks after rads finish though - helps with fatigue and does wonders for the complexion!xxx

[ladybowler]

ollybobs

I had my rads at QE Birmingham.  They recommended that I use E45 cream, I was also using aloe vera but they asked me to stop using it and to keep my E45 in the fridge.  They told me not to use normal deoderant and to us picroc which you can get from Boots as it does not have any alcohol or aluminium in it.

They will give you a card with the number of the rooms that you will be having your rads in so that you can contact them whenever you need to.  Also if you are driving let them know as at the end of each session they will give you a ticket to get out of the car park free.

If you need/want to have your rads at a certain time, i.e am or pm.  they will try and do it for you, but if they are still doing it in the same way as when I was there in December, every Friday you get the next weeks apt times.

They will give you lots of leaflets so it should cover everything.

Helena xxx

[ollybobs]

Hi anniej thank you for your reply. Better get myself prepared for tomorrow then. Where are you having your rads? Xx

[Lesley123]

Hi all started Rads on 24th August so into September now, going for my 9th treatment today so far found it ok but feeling a bit tired now, my skin is ok actually it's better than before I started treatment, I have religiously put the cream on twice a day and had 2ltrs of water a day as well as my other drinks, I find the water thing hard at times but do manage to do it, the cream is called Aqua Max it's brilliant helped me so far, 6 Rads after this one finish next Thursday Yipee.