December 2017 Radiotherapy

[ladybowler]

AnnieA

I think it is your last rads session today, not sure what time it is at but we are ringing the bells for you today.

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Sharon

Thats is really good advise from Jay about being floppy.  I remember the team saying that to me, they used to say dont help us get you into position, we will do it, it took a couple of sessions before I got used to it but when I did it was so much easier.

Unfortunately I did experience quite a few delays to my appointment times, I ended up taking my partners' tablet with me so that I could play games whilst I was waiting.

Helena xxx

[Jay68]

Sharon - as treatments go on, the treatment times get quicker - the main thing is to remain floppy(!) - let them get you into position and it's over before you know it! I found each time treatment was over and they walked back in the room - the relief from allowing my arms to relax was an amazing feeling!

I also had a tick chart and used to feel great satisfaction returning home each day and crossing another one off....!

Good luck for the remainder sessions. x

[Isaiah43]

Number 8 of 15 today and I'm glad that I'm over half way now. It's been a good experience on the whole. I was given a useful tip which is that if your next day's appointment is changed to a time that doesn't work for you, ask the receptionist or rads team if it can be changed. I've had a few they were able to change for better times.

[SharonB]

Hi Nuthatch and I Don’t Believe It,

Just got home after long day.  Got to hospital 30 mins early but didn’t go in until nearly 1 1/2 hours after appointment time - dept running late!  So lunch was 4pm!  Treatment fine - agree the hands suffered most from being over head so long, but it is shorter in next treatments apparently.    We are calling it Zap treatment too, to explain to our 9yr old - she’s done me a countdown chart to cross the numbers off, so number 1 is now ticked.  Taking book and my crochet project tomorrow in case I am sitting around again.

Best wishes

Sharon

[Justme41]

Hi Cathy,

I was given dipbrobase at the start of radio and told to use it throughout. I have but not as much as they told me until I got really itchy towards the end of 15 sessions. I’ve noticed that residue sitting on top from my skin has got dryer so might look into changing as it doesn’t seem to be soaking in as much therefore not doing what it’s supposed to.

Angela xx

[pecan]

Today is 14 days after the last radiation, and I now have lots of little blisters underneath my breast, with a fair bit of accompanying pain.

Because of the whole confusion surrounding the creams to be used to moisturise the breast I chose to not use any. About a week ago I thought I saw a blister, and started to use the Flam-something that the onc gave me.  I don't know if it's helped, as that blister wasn't a blister, and now I DO have blisters all over the lower part of the breast.  (And the cream is to be disposed of after 7 days.)

About 3 days ago I thought that maybe I had been wrong about the moisturising, and applied some cream - Diprobase - and regretted it immediately.  It was quite cooling, but my breast stung and beneath the breast it caused a huge amount of sweating, which (I believe) has made it worse.  It also left a residue which had to be wiped off, which couldn't possibly have helped the pain.

Anyway, I am now back to the cornflour, and try to air the breast in bed as much as possible.  When I'm in bed, that is, and the bisphosphonates make that a little more difficult.

I'm not complaining (for once), just sharing my experience.

Cathy

[Jay68]

I find it strange each health area seem to say a different moisturiser - mine say E45 or aloe vera and then they give you Medihoney when they feel you need something a little stronger. I'm 8 days past finishing and my skin is very red - not cracking nor sore so I'm hoping my cream is working!! They did say days 10-14 is peak time after finishing. x

[Nuthatch]

Glad it went well, and that there were good sides to the drive and the parking! Your moisturisers are completely different to mine - my hospital just says E45 lotion. Weird that there are so many different recommendations across the country. Anyway, good that we’ve got one zap out of the way. Hope e you have a restful evening. X

[I dont believe it.]

Hi Nuthatch. first one went well. Journey there took longer than expected as got caught up with people going to the sales. Been told I can go earlier tomorrow and Friday if I wish so will go in an hour before. The drive up was lovely, lots of snow in the fields and dripping off the trees so a wonderful sight to take my mind off things. Home with Zerobase cream as the continious moisturiser and Betnovate to use once a day in the evenings. Great to have a parking place allocated in the car park about 50 Yards from the door. I really appreciate that.

[Mishy18]

I know im really chuffed ive missed it so much its not the same having to br chaperoned and only managing round the block had her on a slow walk for about 45mins!!!

[ladybowler]

Mishy

Thats fab news on both counts, almost there with the regular and only the boosters to go, but wow go lady with walking the dog, such an achievement xxxxx

[Mishy18]

Rads no 12 today 3 more then the boosters shattered after walking the dog i gave myself a big pat on the back for that as its my first only me and dog since starting chemo (shes a big lab!) never felt confident enough to do it in my own during treatment getting closer to feeling human again 😊

[Hufflepuff]

Helena,

Thank you for your message. I certainly intend to take things slowly when I return to work.                                Had a nice lunch out today and a little mooch around the sales. The snow has just about melted but it's sooo cold! xxx

[Nuthatch]

Reporting back from zap number 1. All fine. One thing I would suggest for a first appointment is to maybe wear gloves. My hands got very cold, held above my head and unmoving for half an hour!

Sharon and I Don’t Believe It, I hope you’ve got on ok with your first days. Xx

[ladybowler]

Angela

Its amazing isnt it, you just keep going because you know there is an end to it, but then think you are going to be ok because you have done so well, I think the body just says right thats enough, now rest.

Enjoy your walk xxxx

[Justme41]

Helena,

I was completely fine during radio and until I finished. Think I’m just surprised at the way it feels, body is a dead weight and your zonked. I’ll maybe leave the gym and take the dog a walk, it was icy here but it’s thawed out a bit. Thank you

Angela xx

[ladybowler]

Hufflepuff

Oh it sounds as if you have a lovely day planned, glad you had a good christmas.

Oh it certainly does, your perspective and priorities change a lot.  Wow!! 12.5 hours without a break is not good even when you have not gone through what you have 😞

Make sure you do not go back to your full working pattern for a while though as it will take it out of you when you do first go back.  I was lucky I was able to do very reduced hours until a month after I finished rads (12 hours a week) but when I started building back up to my normal 25 hours it was very tiring. 

xxx

[Hufflepuff]

Hello, hope everyone is okay and has had a lovely Christmas.  Ours was good, a bit quieter than usual. Husband is back at work today so am going to take the children out to lunch in a little while. Am aiming to return to work next week on shorter shifts and gradually work my way back to full shifts. Am still pretty tired so will be sensible about this, I feel it may be a while before  I can cope with working 12.5 hours (sometimes without a break). I'm also having a bit of a dilemma in that I've really had enough of always working at weekends and never doing nice things with family and friends, unless I plan 6 months in advance! This whole business certainly makes you reprioritise things, so having a little think...

Thinking of everyone having rads today / just starting. It will go quickly.

Lots of love xxx

[ladybowler]

I dont believe it

Oh crikey 5 inches, we had about 2/3 inches in Birmingham over night but it is very slushy so hopefully will disappear later today.

Well you certainly sound prepared.  As you say it is emotional rather than physical thought, but once you get this one over with the rest will be a lot better and shorter, they do a lot of measurement checking at the first one which takes a bit longer.

Helena xxx

[Ruth.J]

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and good luck starting rads today. I finished 15/15 normal 5 boosters to go but no more holding my breath. My skin has really broken down little spots from my collar bone down to my belly button on 1 side ever so itchy. They have good Ben me some cream that is on a trial to record and see how it works so fingers crossed.
Ruth xx

[I dont believe it.]

Going this afternoon for number one of 15. Had a lovely Christmas and managed to forget things for a while. Small back pack fully loaded with cream and water and a few things in case of delay. Husband is driving me for these 3 days so all pressure off for the journey. No works traffic to cope with but about five inches of snow from yesterday to be cleared from a long driveway to get the car out. The sun is out so i am just watching hubby doing it. He is enjoying the fresh air and some sunshine. Will come straight home after this one as its the emotional thought rather than the physical idea of it all.

Thank you to all the ladies for posting their experiences over the month, I have learned a great deal in how to plan and cope with it all and hopefully it will make things a bit easier. 

Good luck to all starting and finishing this month.

[ladybowler]

Angela

I used to go for a walk around the block every day during mine which I found helped and I did continue it for some time afterwards but like everything life took over again.  I do find still now that if I feel fatigued a wonder round the garden, well in the summer anyway, does help. Its just the fresh air xx

[Nuthatch]

Thanks Angela and Helena for good wishes!

Sharon, my appointment is at 1.30, so quite close to yours. Finding a little pot now for my E45 so I don’t need to carry the whole bottle. And fabric softening all the towels thoroughly! Let me know how you get in later (after the panto!) Hope you enjoy your family lunch. Xx

[SharonB]

Oh my, you’ve been through so much.  I feel like I got of lightly, if there is such a thing with having cancer.  Random selection for mammogram in August (I’m under 50) which picked it up.  I hadn’t noticed small lump (until I went looking for it after letter to attend hospital).  Surgery late September so feels like long gap to start Radiotherapy.  On Tamoxifen (for now - I insisted to consultant I was still premenopausal!) so been a bit weepy at times recently.  

Good luck with yours later, best wishes

Sharon

[SharonB]

Thank you for the replies already.  January is looming but each week done is milestone.

I’m due in for early afternoon, so have planned lunch out after with hubby, mum (in residence for few days!) and 9yr old daughter, then Panto later.  

I’ll take some moisturiser with me - thanks Helena.   I’ve bought Aveena, E45 and Aloe Vera gel.  Hospital prescribed ZeroAQS but i can’t bear the smell and the thought of having to use this for weeks was one of my low moments (silly really, but even my daughter noticed smell and didn’t want to cuddle).

Here we go... !

[Justme41]

Helena,

Yeah it was grand, fatigue has kicked in a bit so I’m just trying to work out how to deal with it. Gonna try some light cardio this morning in the gym to see if it helps.

Angela xx

[ladybowler]

Angela

Hiya, hope you had a great christmas as well xxx

[ladybowler]

Nuthatch

Yay you are starting rads today, wont be long until you are finished and we will be ringing the bells for you

Helena xxx

[ladybowler]

Sharon

Hello and welcome to the forum and this thread.

Well you have picked up quite a lot of advise already.  Once you get the first one under your belt it gets easier as that is the longest, after that the whole session takes about 10/15 mins from undressing and dressing.  One tip I would give is that I took my cream with me and applied it immediately after each session when I was getting dressed, it was something one of the other lovely ladies passed on to me.

I had 15 regular and 5 boosters.  It is a pain because it means around 5 weeks that you are having to make that journey to the hospital but honestly you get half way and all of a sudden you are looking at having your last session.

Sending you hugs

Helena xxx

[Justme41]

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and good luck to anyone starting radiotherapy today

Angela xx

[Nuthatch]

Hi Sharon
I’m starting today too! And likewise, I’d thought all my treatment would be finished by now (apart from the hormones and the bisphosphonates). But dates seem to have drifted on and on. Partly that was because I was offered chemotherapy too, and I needed some time to consider that (I declined). But getting going today, hurray, and having the whole of January off work. (My history: diagnosed after routine mammogram in August. Double mastectomy in October, with all lymph nodes removed on left, and one on right. 15 sessions of radiotherapy to come, anastrozole underway, bisphosphonates start next week.)
Lovely to find a colleague. Let’s do this together! Xx

[SharonB]

Hello

I’m a newbie to the forum.  I’ve been lurking and reading your posts, and I’m in awe of you all.  I am due to have my first radiotherapy later today - to have 22 altogether (15 plus boost).  I thought I was ok, ‘just the radiotherapy to go’ after surgery (WLE/ Sentinel node removal) but now it’s here I’m feeling more apprehensive.  Not so much the treatment itself, but how long it will go on for and the potential impact of it all.  I’ve taken the top tips from you all - keep hydrated, rest when needed, and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!   Thought it would be finished already and I'd be back at work mid January but that is not happening.

This forum is a great support - thank you all.

Sharon

[Hufflepuff]

Thank you Angela and Helena,

I slept so well last night which is unusual for me! Will pace myself over the next couple of days and should be fine. My husband has said he'll do everything (as in the cooking) but he's so messy and I'm a clean freak I find it hard not to interfere lol! I should think myself lucky too that I'm not at work over the festive period this year - as a nurse this has never happened before! We are going to a carol service later this afternoon which I am looking forward to.

I hope that everyone is ok today. Have a lovely, relaxing and peaceful Christmas xxx

[Justme41]

Jay and Helena,

Thank you xx

[ladybowler]

Evening ladies

WHat you are experiencing regarding tiredness is totally normal whether you are coming towards the end of your rads or in the weeks afterwards and of course what doesnt help is how much busier we are at this time of the year.

I was told that I could have a bath, I normally shower, but in both cases I was told not to have the water too hot and also not to rub the area being treated only pat it dry.

xxx

[Jay68]

Hi Angela - yes you can bathe and shower as normal - but don't have the water too hot and use Simple products to wash with. Pat yourself dry or leave to air dry the area where you've had rads.

It's all very tiring - I agree - but I'm enjoying the fact it's Christmas and there's lots going on to take my mind off the fact treatment is at an end - also having my family around me is helping too.

We are having a quiet Christmas at home and hubby and son are doing the cooking! They can't wait to be in control!!!! x

[Justme41]

Hufflepuff,

I get where you’re coming from, I don’t like Christmas but dont show it, today I just wanted to do the same as you and said I wanted to go asleep for a week. My father in law died in July this year (cancer too) so it’s gonna be a hard one and other half is saying he’s going to work (taxi driver) on Christmas Day. I feel he has to deal with the first year in his own way. Totally understand the not wanting to upset your family bit as well. I’m usually the one that sorts everyone and and would say today I’ve maybe been feeling sorry for myself and thought just for once I’d like someone to look after me but they’d think I was cracking up lol. I hope you manage to get some rest over the next few days or even just to get through it 😘😘

Angela

[Hufflepuff]

 Hi Angela,

I thought it was just me! It's 10 days since I finished rad's and for the past few days I'm shattered by early afternoon and have to lie down. I feel like curling up and going to sleep and waking on the 27th! There's just so much going on. Both my children have just had their birthdays too so it's been really hard to take it easy. I'll really be glad when it's over but can't say anything as I don't want to upset my family xx

[Justme41]

I’ve been wrecked today but it’s my own fault, I need this Christmas stuff to be over so I can relax.

Question: is it ok to get a bath, I don’t usually have them and didn’t ask, though I take it I can’t put anything in the water? TIA

Angela xx

[ladybowler]

Isaiah

I was the same last year, I started 20 sessions on 20 December and had 4 days off because of weekend and bank holidays, and then the following week because of new year.  They told me it was not a problem.

Helena xx

[Nuthatch]

Hi Ruth and Isaiah
I’ll be joining in with you on Wednesday then! Your updates are very helpful. I’m practising drinking lots of water in readiness. Xx

[Ruth.J]

Hi Isiah
I am day 14/15 if normal with 5 boosters after. I had rad today and then my next one is 27th when you think it’s only 1 day extra off as it’s usually Monday - Friday with Saturday and Sunday off. Then next week it’s Wednesday - Saturday with Sunday and Monday off. Ruth x

[Isaiah43]

My sessions began 14 December but I have Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day off. Treatment finishes on 8 January. I guess it must be ok to skip days or they wouldn't do it. 

Seven sessions so so far and all ok, just a bit tender. The staff are all very friendly and patient, but they are very busy (Maidstone Kent ).

[Nuthatch]

Hi. Anyone else starting treatment the day after Boxing Day? Mine was delayed so as not to have a big break over Christmas and I thought there might be others in the same situation. It’d be good to hear from you. X

[Mishy18]

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas 💖🎄

[ladybowler]

momo

Great to hear that you are progressing well after finishing your rads and that will be so helpful for the ladies who are completely in the coming weeks to hear.

Have a wonderful christmas, all the very best for 2018 and have a wonderful holiday.

Helena xx

[momo4169]

Ladies my rads finished a week and a half ago and I'm feeling pretty good. I think just the point of not having to go to the hospital every day helps immensely. My boob is in pretty good shape and I'm not too tired. Starting to do a bit of exercise again, particularly in light of the fact that I've booked a holiday to celebrate the end of treatment and could do with losing a few pounds before we go in a few weeks. I'm still not used to taking my meds daily - thank goodness for the reminder function on my iPhone - and looking forward to going back to work a couple of weeks after New Year and getting back to normal. 

This is forum has been so helpful and a real comfort over the last six months or so, helping to answer questions I had and just being there with so many women (unfortunately) going through the same thing. I wish you all the best for those of you still undergoing treatment and for those of us that are finished that we can move forward positively. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all xx

[Justme41]

Ta Mishy, you’ll be done in no time 😊😊

Angela xx

[Mishy18]

Well done Angela 🔔 day 11 for me today 9 more to go 💪