April 2018 Radiotherapy

[ladybowler]

Dusty

Thank you so much, it was a bit nerve racking waiting for the results but oh so lovely when he said it was all clear, my hospital only does the first one 18 months after op, unlike others where it is 12 months, so it has been quite a wait.  I will be having them annually now so something to look forward to every April!! 🙂

Will be ringing the doorbells for you on Monday mate, yay just no more to and fro every day, that will make such a difference, it was the bit I hated, being controlled by that one apt every day.

Make sure you carry on your regime for a couple of weeks after you finish. and keep up the fluid intake.

Sending you loads of hugs

Helena xxx

[Dusty]

Hi Helena,i noticed a post you made on another thread and that your mammogram me was clear- so pleased to hear this!
I have one rads session to go and tired but alright and my skin/boob not too sore either…I wish you the very best of health xx

[Nat223]

Well done Butterfly. Enjoy the weekend. 

[Butterflyflyfree]

Thank you Helena and Cassie xx

[WhyteFawn]

Well done butterfly!!
I hope everyone had a good week under the grill. Enjoy 2 days off x

[Knktnak]

Hi Andi

yes I did have a dexa scan, I received the results by letter 3 weeks after the scan.  Had to see my G.P. about it and been given bisphoshonate tablets, just have to take once a week alongside the calcium/vit d tablets.   Been advised to see dentist before taking to see if need any dental work doing, I'm going to leave it until my rads are finished, my 1st week is over and just have another 2 weeks left.  

Good luck to all you lovely ladies and wish you all a great weekend.Xxxx

[ladybowler]

Butterflyflyfree

I have just been out and rang my doorbell for you finishing treatment, and flipping heck it is wet out there 🙂 🙂

Yes they recommend that you carry on your regime for two weeks after the rads finish, also carry on with the fluid intake as well as you might still feel the dehydration effects of the rads and it will help with the fatigue.

Well done mate this has been a hard slog for you but another milestone has been reached and can be ticked off.  No more back and forward each day

Sending you loads of huggles

Helena xxx

[Butterflyflyfree]

Hi Andi all done and dusted, phew 😅 No more holding my breath! I’m pleased to say the whole rads experience wasn’t too awful, didn’t particularly enjoy being exposed and cold on the bed, but it wasn’t for long and the radiographers were very kind. 

Was told to keep an eye on my skin for another couple of weeks as it can continue to be affected, but if all is fine after that, I can return to my usual skin care routine. Will be seeing the consultant at that point which will be reassuring. 

So keep going ladies, enjoy the weekend off and you’ll soon be there. Good luck to any May ladies too. Xx

[Nat223]

Five sessions left for me.....

good luck everyone. 

[Andi]

Evening everyone

How did the last one go Butterfly?

Good Luck BizzyLizzy let us know how you get on.
Nat when do you finish?
I've got 6 sessions left and so far so good. Fatigue kicks in most evenings but I'm sticking with the 2 litres of water. Last one on 4th May.
Knktnak did you have a Dexa scan which revealed your low bone density? I had my scan this week but results not available for 4 weeks.

Good luck to everyone as we approach the end of April xx

[Nat223]

BizzyLizzie- good luck for your final zap tomorrow. Hope you recover soon. 

[BizzyLizzy]

So pleased for you Whytefawn well done 🙂 

i have two more left had 13/15  and finally with the help of steroids and morphine managed to endure the pain of having my arms in that position !! 

Without this and the excellent support from the team and oncologist would not have been able to endure it all

one eve in A&E on morphine for the pain was enough. MRI to investigate what muscles I have pulled 

do have less function in my arm but this will get better I'm sure 

my skin isn't too bad but redder on the shoulder area SCF area 

had a lift today and for the next two days so the whole thing takes 3hours round trip not 6hours soooo pleased 

shall even make a trip for a coffee and look at charity shop tomorrow before the zaps 

i realise I have false energy on steroids I haven't been able to sleep till so late it will end 

but having ME and for all of us I know that once the steroids end I shall be knackered.

nearly there 

good luck to you all as you get through each one - 

Liz xxx

[Knktnak]

Hi everyone

i started.my rads on Monday staff as ever are brilliant and so far so good.  I find the tiredness  overwhelming at times but thinks that's mainly from the hormone tablets.  I've found I also have low bone density so been given tablets, just one a week, to help,with that. Good luck to all you amazing ladies on herre.

xxx

[Nat223]

Just done number 13 of 19. Just 6 more to go. The tiredness has kicked in now though - could sleep right now. And my skin is feeling hot and sore. Can’t wait to finish.

Good luck everyone for the rest of your treatment. And hope tomorrow goes well ButterflyFlyFree!

[Butterflyflyfree]

Now I can say I've got 1 more to go! 

Hope everyone one is doing ok. Xx

[Butterflyflyfree]

Thanks Cassie...but sadly it’s not 😡 Breathing machine was broken when I got there yesterday so treatment cancelled. Means today is number 14 - assuming the engineer turns up to fix it 🤞 and tomorrow will now be my last. Thought this bit was going too smoothly! 

Don’t forget to keep up with the exercises..I was told once a day for 2 years after rads 😳 to avoid any long term problems. 

Hope you enjoyed a lie a lie in this morning! Xx

[WhyteFawn]

Last one butterfly!!!
Good luck everyone with your appointments today. Feels a bit strange not being at the hospital x

[Jencat]

Thank you, that's very kind and reassuring xx

[ladybowler]

Jencat

thanks darling always there for you xxx

[Jencat]

Cassie,don't blame you about not wanting to have a party, not sure I'd want to do that either. A meal's a good idea though, hope you and your husband had a nice time.

Thank you for saying you'll be there to cheer me on, it's appreciated Can't say I'm looking forward to 5-6 weeks of daily hospital visits, but it has to be done! xx

[WhyteFawn]

Thanks everyone.
Jencat I've been out for a meal with my husband. To be honest I don't know if it have got through the last few months without him. Mum wants me to have a party but I'm not bothered. It's hard to celebrate something you never wanted to start in the first place. I'm happy with a meal and just getting back to normal.
Right, so what did I do before I had to get up early and go to the hospital every morning.
Don't worry Jencat we'll be here to cheer you on right to the end no matter how many you have xx

[Jencat]

Thank you Helena and great news about the clear mammo xxx

[ladybowler]

Jencat

Dont worry I am sure there will be plenty of ladies on here who are starting next week and in May, and we are always here for you xxxx

[ladybowler]

Whytefawn

Woo hoo ringing the doorbell for you tonight, well done thats it, just remember to keep on with your regime for the next couple of weeks

Helena xxxx

[Jencat]

Cassie and MHaz, have you/are you doing anything special to celebrate the end of rads? x

[Jencat]

MHaz and Cassie, thank you for your replies-you made me laugh Cassie! I'm signed off until 26th June, but rads might not finish until 12th (I won't know until I go on Monday how many I'm having. I'm down for 23, but the consultant had said 25-30) so was wondering if I'd need more time xx

[MHaz]

I also work with little ones in a pack away setting and I'm not going back until I feel totally comfortable on the area, doctors advice too so not sure on time period X

[WhyteFawn]

Yeah it does depend on your job Jencat. I only work with adults and as 99% of the population are taller than me I don't have much of an issue lol.

[Jencat]

Thanks Cassie for info and good wishes. I'm a teacher at an infant school, so I haven't been allowed to work (they're too germy!) and have been off since mid Oct. Wouldn't be able to work very easily during rads as my treatment isn't at my local hospital and also a lot of the kids are boob height and can run into you, so could be painful! xx 

[WhyteFawn]

Thanks everyone. Butterfly I was er+ so still on zoladex injections and tamoxifen but as for active treatment that's now done.
Jencat good luck for starting Monday. I've worked since the beginning of March when I went back after surgery. Worked through rads with no problem. Just going to hospital everyday that's been the issue.

[Jencat]

How long after finishing rads do you need to recover before returning to work? xx

[Jencat]

Well done Cassie and MHaz

I'm starting rads next Monday, but I think you'll all be finished by then?! xx

[Butterflyflyfree]

Great news Cassie well done! Is that it now for you? Xx

[MHaz]

Well done WhyteFawn 🎉👊 xx

[Andi]

Congratulations and a massive well done WhiteFawn xx

Hope everything goes smoothly for everyone on the final stretch xx

[Nat223]

Congratulations! 🎉

[WhyteFawn]

That's it!! All done!!! I was ding-a-linging that bell.
Good luck everyone who has appointments today don't worry it'll soon be done x

[WhyteFawn]

Well done MHaz!
Yay butterfly is finishing this week too. Your turn on Wednesday!
Won't be long Andi and it'll be your turn. Hang in there everyone x

[Butterflyflyfree]

Well done MHaz, your turn tomorrow Cassie then it’s me! Really late one today, and tomorrow 😴

Am really pleased my skin is holding up well, just using cold aloe Vera twice a day, fingers crossed it stays that way. 

Good luck to all your April ladies keep counting down 😊 xx

[Andi]

Number 6 of 15 for me today.
Congratulations MHaz!
Will be thinking of you tomorrow WhyteFawn. Ring that bell!
Cathysid how is it going?
BizzyLizzie how are you feeling now ? Are you finishing this week?

To everyone else on the April Rads thread good luck for the rest of the month.
I finish on the 4th of May so may have to pop onto that thread.
Best wishes to everyone xx

[ladybowler]

MHaz

Yay well done and congratulations, ringing the bells for you tonight 🙂

Helena xxx

[Nat223]

MHaz, congratulations on finishing!

[MHaz]

Had my last one today! 👊👊👊. Was told to stop using one of my creams from now as am having an allergic reaction to it but all done!! Then after went for a long training walk! 💪. Know I'll feel VERY tired tomorrow but I'll take things easy 😊. Good luck to you all whether starting, continuing or finishing your treatment ... lots ❤ Xx

[Dusty]

Hi everyone,

hope we are all ok?...I've got 5 to go....delighted it is the final days ...still managing to get out and about, off work this week and next to rest more though, as get a bit tired now and feeling 60!..but overall as expected and was told at my review to expect a couple of weeks after treatment finishes to still feel sore and a bit tired.

Still taking paracetomol and drinking lots of water, and walking my dog each day...onwards and upwards!!

xx

[Nat223]

Good luck everyone who finishes this week!

I’ve got 9 more to go. Can’t wait to finish.

[WhyteFawn]

MHaz good luck for your last one today!! Just at the hospital now ready for my penultimate one. Looking forward to tomorrow to being over.
Have a good day everyone x

[Andi]

Good Luck for the final 2 sessions WhyteFawn. You will be ringing that bell very soon xx

[WhyteFawn]

Hi Dusty glad your treatment is going ok. My appointments have all been between 8.20 and 9.10 so been travelling into city centre at rush hour which is a pain. Only 2 left to go now!
Hope everyone is having a good weekend x

[Dusty]

Hi April women,

I'm up to 10 out of 16 and reieved its the weekend and I don't need to get to the hospital for  8.30am, though early appointments really help with traffic and parking.

My skin so far is only a bit red under my boob and gradually seems to be getting hotter, breath holding is fine, plus radiographers and staff are so lovely...I'm a bit achy around the shoulder and today got a wave of fatigue which comes and goes. I've been drnking lots of water and rehydration tablets as well...I'm doing ok and have found aveeno cream lovely to use and aloe vera gel helps with the heat...all as expected so far and hope everyone else is getting through this okay 🙂 xxxx

[Jencat]

Had my rads planning meeting on Tuesday. It was fine, but I was there for 3 hours! (Had to wait for an hour between the meeting and CT scan) Practised holding my breath for 30 seconds (I thought it was going to be 20!) quite a few times and then whilst the machine timed me and then during a CT scan! Felt quite exhausted after! Apparently it's not just a case of holding my breath, but the way I breathe afterwards!

Having the tattoos were fine! I was told that they wouldn't hurt as much as having a blood test and they were right, the blood test I had later was worse! (I had to go to 2 different hospitals on Tuesday!)

The worse part of the whole thing was having to be in the same position for 40 mins and having my arms held in place-felt a bit like I was on a torture rack! Radiographer said I might have a bit of cording in my arm and to practise at home holding my arm back. They also said take a couple of paracetmols before I have my treatments, but hopefully I won't have to hold my arms up for so long then anyway!

I start on 30th April and at the moment I've got 23 sessions, but the consultant had said 5-6wks, so I wouldn't be surprised if the number increases. I'm going to make the most of next week with no hospital visits  xx