October 2018 Radiotherapy

[ladybowler]

ANxious Soul

I used to do that with my E45, they advised me to stop using the aloe vera as I think I was over moisturing and to keep the E45 in the fridge as it would do the same job xxx

[Anxious-Soul]

Hi Jo,

yes definitely peaking now, day 12 after finishing.  🙂

[JWD]

Good idea Anxious soul. I'm 8/15 today and so far no problems with skin just a change in colour and a few little twinges here and there but will be storing cream in fridge just in case..Did you find the redness peaked after rads finished? Jo xxx

[Anxious-Soul]

Hi everyone,

I am just dropping by to say I am 12 days on from last rads and benefiting from putting a pot of diprobase cream in the fridge and applying the cream cold. Such a treat, very soothing as the redness peaks. Just in case you haven't already considered this. 🙂

[ladybowler]

Charlie

Sorry darling but do you mind me asking why are you working full time, do you work for yourself?

If you are emplyed do you have an occupational health service that can make recommendations on your working pattern during rads and the following weeks afterwards.

Helena xxx

[Sarah90]

Hi Charlie - i'm on 9/20 and so far working full time too. I have had some ups and downs but got through! Travel to hospital is 90 mins by public transport is difficult every day but so far so good. Just starting to feel tired but am drinking loads and using creams given be hospital.

[JWD]

Yes it is good cream its really important to moisturise. I know what you mean about touching the scar though but once you start moisturizing it gets easier. Let us know how your planning scan goes and try not to stress.. I'm the queen of panic and stress😱 and I'm coping.. you can do this💪💪
Jo xxx

[Charlie101]

Thank you so much Jo, I'm scared of touching the scar at the moment, but will have to soon!, and I am going to get some Aveena cream, as I heard this is good. xx

[Charlie101]

Thank you so much Helena, you have put my mind at rest, I am having to work full time, so I will struggle,
but will see how I get along. Good Luck xx

[Charlie101]

Thank you so much Susan, my Oncologist has not mentioned any cream yet, so I am hoping he will let me know on Friday. Good Luck with your treatment.x

[ladybowler]

Charlie

Hello and welcome.  Honestly the thought of the rads is worse than actually having it.  Your oncologist will not have agreed to the planning meeting if they did not think you were ready for it.

Keep in mind that generally you do not hear about ALL the ladies who have never had a problem with rads, which is a shame as it helps to reassure those ladies who are coming up to it.  I had 20 sessions over a 5 weeks period.  I worked, albeit only 4 hours a day for 3 days a week, after which I would have my rads. Apart from a tender nipple I really did not have any real side effects, the skin went dark during the period I was having the rads and for a few weeks after but that was it.

I think the worst part of it is the to and fro of the daily apts and at one point I had had enough of this apt controlling my life, had a wobble cried a lot on my lovely rads nurse and then got on with it.

They will recommend what cream to apply, you should aim to put it on 2/3 times a day.  Try and maintain your fluid intake as well as that will help with any potential dehydration you might experience from the rads, and just listen to your body it will tell you when you need to rest.

Sending you hugs

Helena xxx

[JWD]

Hi Charlie. I wouldn't worry by the time you start you will be at least 8/9 weeks post mastectomy and some ladies start as early as 6 weeks. Are you moisturising the scar now because if not it might be worth doing so and then when you start make sure you moisturise regular daily and drink plenty of water as hydration is the key..you will be fine. Jo.xxx

[Susieone]

Hi Charlie101
I am worried about the SE too but I've prepared my skin beforehand and after each session and a few times through the day.

Was considering doing a runner at my first session lol but the actual treatment is easy it the travelling that's my problem. Want to give myself the best chance of it not recurring so I'll count the days until done.

They told me what cream to use and I'll get a review on my fith session so they can check out how my skins doing etc. and any concerns I might have.
I'll cross that bridge when and if it developes but I'm sure they'll help and advise.
Just drink loads and moisturise a lot that's all I can do for now.
Susan x

[Charlie101]

I am going to the Planning session on Friday and had a masectomey 7 weeks ago and it's still tender and a bit swollen.  I am so worried as I have read that women have got weeping burns, bags of pus etc... Ia m seriously thinking of saying no due to the side effects......

[Susieone]

3/15 done getting the hang of this.all my appointments are for 4.10pm and tomorrow 6.10pm. Been an hour delay today so getting used to eating later than normal.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
Susan xx

[JWD]

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend💖💖 7th one done today! 8 to go not like im counting🙄 traffic was really bad this morning so took longer to get there and back. Hope everyone's goes ok today. Jo xxx

[JWD]

Have a lovely weekend enjoy the 2 day break.xxx

[Susieone]

Hi
2/15 rads done. Another delay today about 40 minutes so another late evening meal.
Weekend break so hope you all have a relaxing weekend.

Susan x

[Wombat Woo]

Hi lovely ladies. Caroline ask for some hydrocortisone cream if the itching is annoying I was also given some cool pads to Put in the fridge which really helped. 🤗😘

[JWD]

Hello Susan glad your first one went well with no problems. Get tomorrow's done and you can have 2 days off.😀
Have a lovely evening all. Xxx🤗

[Susieone]

Hi Caroline
I'm sure your heart will be fine as mine will be.
I've E45 lotion and diprobase was saving the diprobase for half way through as I've read on forum that's about average for SE. I'll see how I go.

Chilling out now after a late Tea.
Take care Susan x

[Susieone]

Hi all
Just got through my first session pretty quick after an initial delayed start. Coped with the travelling even though traffic was heavy.

Second one tomorrow then weekend. Full week next week, I'll get through once I've settled into travelling.
Lovely staff at Sheffield they put me right at ease.

Take care Susan xx

[ice_cc]

I'm the same, left breast and a possibility of lung and maybe heart getting the odd zap. I was meant to do the breath hold technique but I breathe with my stomach rather than chest apparently so they told me not to bother in the end as I couldn't create enough of a gap. I've decided not to worry about it and just hope my heart will be fine!

I've completed 11 out of 18 now, and have developed a lovely rash over the past few days after not really having any skin issues for the first 7 or 8 sessions. Ah well! Smothering on plenty of diprobase cream twice a day, which keeps the worst of the heat and itchiness at bay. 

Hope everyone else is doing well? 🙂

Caroline xx

[JWD]

It's all so complex this radiotherapy. Mine was left breast too but apparently my heart is out of the way.they told me me they need to zap some of my lung to get the chest wall. That was the problem last week on the 3rd day not enough lung was on scan.xx

[Wombat Woo]

Good luck with the breathing Susieone. I didnt have to do that - I don’t think they do it in every centre st the moment.

Seems to make sense though. I love anything with a bit of extra tech !!! 🤗

[Susieone]

BC in left breast. Have to hold breath after I inflaiting lungs moves heart to middle of chest out of way. Goggles have a blue bar and a bouncing white bar which moves when I breath.
I inhale through nose until white bar is in blue bar then hold breath for about 15/20 seconds it's easy enough.
I'm having whole breast treated so I presume I've to do this 2 or 3 times I'll know tomorrow.

Susan x

[Susieone]

BC in left breast. Have to hold breath after I flaring lungs in moves heart to middle of chest out of way. Goggles have a blue bar and a bouncing white bar which moves when I breath.
I inhale through nose until white bar is in blue bar then hold breath for about 15/20 seconds it's easy enough.
I'm having whole breast treated so I presume I've to do this 2 or 3 times I'll know tomorrow.

Susan x

[JWD]

Have you. I dont have to do the breath holding..what are the goggles for? Xx

[Susieone]

Thats good news JWD you've completed a third already soon be done.

I'm ok now ready to get going so I can get to the end lol. I'll let you know how I coped with my first session.ive got cool goggles to wear for my breathing. 😎

Take care x

[JWD]

Thanks wombat 🤗

[Wombat Woo]

That’s really good JWD. So not quite as much of a pain...

🤗

[JWD]

Hi Susan.. sending love and positive vibes for tomorow 💕💕
I found out today that although I started again this week my 2 sessions I had last week still count so day 5 tomorrow 👍

[JWD]

I know what you mean Susan about radiotherapy. I was getting a bit panicky today but I think it's everything else I've got going on. The treatment itself is quick and painless. It probably is your thyroid and maybe if your stressed it's affecting your levels. Good luck ❤and let me know how you get on. Jo xxx

[Susieone]

Hi JWD
Off you go again lol count the days down.
Good Luck. ❤

I had a bit of a melt down today really didnt want to start rads at all. Had a tearful chat with my Sister but came to my senses in the end.
I'm not sure if my thyroid is acting up as that makes me tearful and I've slight tremours in hands another sign.
I get blood test results tomorrow so will see.

Isn't all this fun if it isn't one thing it's another.

Take care Susan 💟

[JWD]

Hello ladies started my rads again today after there being a problem with my first planning scan. So hopefully lets get these 15 sessions done ..Good luck for Thursday susan🤗💪💖

[Wombat Woo]

Anastrozole has a lot to answer for.... 🙄. At least I blame it for everything now !!

[JWD]

Lol don't worry my memory is bad too..I blame anastrazole xxx im Wolverhampton newcross

[Susieone]

Sorry you already answered that earlier in thread. Memory going I blame the letrozole lol

Susan x

[Susieone]

Where abouts are you JWD I'm going to Sheffield Weston Park. X

[JWD]

Thank you❤.. Hope to restart rads about the same time as you so at least we can compare notes. Jo xxx

[Susieone]

Oh dear JWD
So sorry to hear that my thoughts and prayers are for you both, such a lot to have to cope with.

Take care sending hugs.
Susan ❤

[JWD]

Thank you.💖 xxx

[Wombat Woo]

Oh no JWD all too much... sending big squishy hugs 🤗 🤗🤗

[JWD]

Evening ladies
What an awful day today has been. My implant has got bigger since planning scan. So I've had to have planning scan again and will start rads from scratch.
We got results for my husband today his cancer has returned in the oesophagus and gone in lymph nodes and liver.. he's to start chemo soon for 3 months then a scan. I can't believe this is happening.
Have a good weekend everyone.xxx

[Thistledown]

Hi ktk

Nice to hear from you, - and it will be great when this last bit is done and dusted, you’ve had a long way to go...As for bisphosphonates, I’m still waiting on the verdict as to whether I will need them, there’s a massive delay on DEXA scan results at our place...been waiting nearly 10 weeks now !

Ah well, contending with Letrozole is enough for me at the mo ! 

Take care xx

[ktk]

Thanks for the message Thistle. Glad you are ok. I’m looking forward to this all being over, although I do still have bisphosphonates for a couple of years.
Kxx

[Susieone]

Well done wombat woo for finishing rads bet it's a great feeling. X

Thanks ladybower I'll probably stick to my schedule for putting on cream then. X

Good luck for today JWD X
Susan x

[JWD]

Well done wombat woo on finishing rads🤗💪
Susan they are not sure about seroma. When I went last friday to see my oncologist she checked my implant and put a needle in to aspirate any fluid and she was pleased to say there wasn't any. However on 3rd day of rads there was a change when they tried to set me up in the right position so I'm not sure what's going on. I will see what they say today.xx

[Wombat Woo]

Hello ladies. I have just popped over from September Rads thread to say hi. I finished today and rang the bell loud and clear. The lovely ladies on the forum helped me a lot so if any of you have any questions please ask away !

My main advice would be to drink your water - it really helps with the fatigue and moisturise !!! Lots. Also if you have any issues don’t be worried about talking to your radiotherapists they have heard it all before. My girls and boys were really great and offered advice and reassurance when I needed it .... they gave me cooling pads when it all got a bit warm towards the end... you can all get through this and come out the other end... oh and by the way in all my sessions I still haven’t found an elegant way to get on or off the bed 🤗 & 😘 to you all.

[ladybowler]

Susieone

They told me that I should not apply craem no less than two hours before a session, what I used to do is take some with me so that I could apply it immediately after each session

Helena xxx