Any tips for radiation?

[Marla13]

Narnia Girl,

Thank you so much for such a reassuring reply. I actually emailed my concerns to my radiotherapist and he answered them, also providing me with reassurance. It's just really scary to think they are also targetting other organs, i.e., heart, lung etc. and for someone who has never had problems with either organ-I am a little anxious about the long term effects, etc. I appreciate your tips re-the exercises and cream. I haven't been doing my exercises because I feel I have good range of movement (well-it's never been brilliant but it's as good as it was pre-surgery) but I will start doing my stretches again cause I want to do anything to help the healing process. I'm sure I will have more Q's once my treatment gets started. I'm happy to hear you are on the other side of it.  

Thanks again for such a reassuring reply....

xxxx

[NarniaGirl]

Hi Marla, so far as I can recall, first I saw a radiotherapy consultant who basically just assessed my general health, went through consent forms etc, then I went to a planning session with the radiotherapists. It was at that planning session that they talked me through things in more detail. When they put me through the scanner to work out where to target the radiotherapy they asked me to practise holding my breath to protect my heart. I think I remember them saying if I accidentally couldn't hold my breath the radiotherapy machine would automatically stop, which was reassuring. They said the radiotherapy doesn't go in deep like it has to for radiotherapy to the lungs. Like you, I was pretty scared to begin with and it all felt weird and sci-fi but I soon realised I was never alone, I could talk to the radiotherapists any time during the session as well as before and after. They really took great care of me. Having the lymph node area treated did make my muscles sore so I would recommend keeping up with the stretching exercises gently. Also drink extra water or tea or whatever as it helps your skin and tissues to recover. They will also give you some cream to keep moisturised. After a few sessions I felt much more relaxed and it was reassuring to have another line of treatment to see off any stray cells. I hope my experience has helped to encourage you. All the radiotherapists were very helpful answering my questions so do ask away. They will plan your treatment especially for you individually and take care to be very accurate. All the best to you 

[Marla13]

I'd like to jump in on this thread ladies:) because I am due to start radiotherapy on 29th April & am feeling anxious beyond anxious. Unlike Tenby, I haven't had chemo-I had two lumpectomies and had 2 lymph nodes removed (not a full axillary clearance)-so I will be having radiotherapy to my left breast as well as to the axilla. The part I am most anxious about is the effect on the heart. Given my cancer was in the outer quadrant of my breast, the radiology oncologist (the main doctor) did say, and I quote " given my cancer is in the outer quadrant he can adjust the line re-my heart". Now, I had my planning appointment yesterday & it is unclear to me whether the "adjusting the line re-the heart" gets done at the planning appt. or at the first treatment session. I'm asking/seeking clarification on this because if it is the former, I don't think this was done yesterday. My other anxiety is that my consultant radiology oncologist guy wasn't at my planning appointment & I am 100% sure he told me he would be, when we first met back in January to discuss my upcoming radiotherapy & whether I'm a candidate or not (which I am). 

And so my first Q. to you ladies is: was your clinical oncology radiotherapy consultants at your planning appointment, or was it just the radiotherapist (s) who were at your planning appointment? 

Second Q: do you happen to know *when* the line re-the heart (or any other organ, for that matter) gets adjusted? Does this take place at the planning appointment or at treatment #1 and all subsequent treatment sessions?

I can also email the radiotherapy nurse but thought I'd ask you in the event you might know!

xxxx 

[Tenby]

I love your advice, will work hard on looking like a filmstar :D!! Fortunately, I can basically move my arm again like before, including yoga poses, despite the co4rding. I find dancing in front of youtube videos with my toddler did the trick...

Thanks so much!

Hugs, 

Tenby

[Tenby]

I am so glad to hear that you got through it that well! I will definitely pre-order that cream. Your comment on wearing a scarf is a good reminder - completely common sense easily forgotten during these gorgeous sunny days ;D I feel positive about the this part of the treatment...curious I guess. We'll see. For now, thanks so much for putting my mind at ease and cheering me own.

Best wishes,

Tenby

[Jaybro]

Everything mini-mad said plus make sure you are flexible. Extra work on that breast muscle and the mobility of that shoulder will enable you to comfortably ‘assume the pose’ like the Hollywood starlets of old: hand behind head and arm right back to thrust that boob forward, then hand to the side (a convenient rest is there).

Aqueous cream is also excellent, as is E45 cream (lotion isn’t thick enough). Just make sure you don’t use zinc cream or anything with oil in it, not till you’ve finished.

You may experience fatigue but I agree with mm - it was a doddle after chemo! However, not everyone has the same experience so be alert for anything amiss and report it immediately to the radiographers. I hope it goes well for you x

[mini mad]

Hey Tenby,

just read ur post.

sounds like you've done the hard bit,  neo-adjuvant chemo and surgery...well done...you should be proud of yourself 😘

so radiotherapy now.... believe me when i say that compared to chemo,  radiotherapy is so much easier.  
I would recommend to continue with the fluid intake,  rest when you feel weary but most important is to moisturise,  moisturise and more moisturising !!  I kid you not 🤪🤪 i completely recommend Aveeno Moisturising Lotion.  Used this all the way through and i had no problems with my skin.  A little redness towards the end but thats all.

also once you start , keep whichever side you're having the radio on well covered when in the sun....  i just use to wear a scarf around and over down my left side.

so good luck for when you start,  the sessions only last about 5 minutes once you're all lined up.  Any questions just ask.    Mini mad xx 💖💖

[Tenby]

Hi there,

I am soon to start a month of radiotherapy, after surgery (lumpectomy and axillary clearance) and neo-adjuvent chemo before that. But so close to bringing the big hurdles behind me, I find myself a bit tired of being brave...luckily I got through all of it quite well and I am just suddenly a bit scared of the end bit. 

Does anyone have some good tips? Fasting worked like a charm for me during chemotherapy, Tai Chi is helping me post-op, but I haven't researched what might pull me through radio... 

Best wishes to everyone,

S.