Radiotherapy Feb 2020

[Shablah]

My first radiotherapy session today went fine. I was fine with the breathing and got called a model patient, I'm sure they were just being kind! But still kind words are nice to hear when you are nervous... Xx

[Shablah]

Thanks Chelle. My positive thinking cap is on already  💪 😉 xx 

[Chelle56]

Hi Shablah

Good Luck fir tomorrow....you can do this 😀

[Shablah]

Thank you Tili. I will keep you posted xx

[Tili]

Hi Shablah,

Having another senior moment, sent a message to Tookie,  it should of been you.

GOOD LUCK FOR TOMORROW WITH RADIOTHERAPY....keep me posted I will be starting on the 17th.

good luck brave girl. Big hugs Tili xx

[GrannyK]

Sounds as if you have a really good Rads team supporting you Tookie, I actually started to burn on day three and had to wait until day TEN to get Flamigel - too little too late!! once you've completed RT if there's any more burning get FLAMAZINE - contains silver for healing, sending love xxx

[Tili]

Dear Tookie

LOTS OF LUCK for tomorrow, will be thinking of you....you are week ahead of me so keep me posted.

big hugs brave lady. Tili xxx

[Shablah]

Hi Tookie

Thanks for the update. I'm starting rads tomorrow and I'm feeling very apprehensive about it so it's good to know that your doing OK. Hope your sore bits feel better soon. 

I've been taking Tamoxifen for the last two weeks, so far I'm a bit achy but doing OK on it so far  xx

[Tookie]

Hi all

I'm half way through treatment now. Have felt tired the last few days so had an afternoon nap which helped. Skin has felt a bit prickly so hospital gave me a tube of Flamigel and a note for my GP so I can get it on prescription. Started taking Tamoxifen this weekend so hoping I don't get side effects from that.

Good luck to all starting radiotherapy this week x 😀

[Tili]

Dear Susie

Many thanks, for your lovely, caring reply it’s so nice to receive this with the knowledge of someone who has been through the treatment. 

Take good care, keep well bigs hugs Tili xxx

[Tili]

Dear Chelle,

thank you for your lovely reply we will do this together.....lots of luck to you keep me

posted of you progress. 

big hugs Tili xxx 

[Susie B]

Hi mel734

Glad you found this forum. I started using this site last year by joining the February 19 chemo treatment starters. The symptoms you describe are exactly the same as mine were. I'm post menopausal so I think you can safely blame everything on the radiotherapy. It will get better in time, promise.

If you or indeed anybody in this group want to ask any questions just pop into the February 19 chemo starters group and one of us will get back to you. We chat mainly on Facebook Messenger now but have recently started back on here as we have all, bar one who is on oral chemo at the moment, completed our treatment and hope to pass on as many tios and as much information ad possible.

Susie B xx

[mel734]

Michelle your positivity is key, I have broken every day into treatment next steps ie today I have to drive to our Rosemere centre and this or that will happen. Its manageable, if I thought about the whole month it would have been harder to deal with.

Ps like others I cannot recommend the high strength aloe vera gel enough. I put it on before I got dressed after each session and used moisturiser morning and evening. My skin is darker but not sore and wasn't throughout. 

I hope you all come through this smiling, stay positive x

[Chelle56]

Hi Tili

I start Rads the same day as you, try not to worry. I am aprehensive too but as my boss said to me "it's something you have to do as their are proven results that it helps with the treatment and they wouldn't put you through it if they didn't have too". The posts from Rosie and Mel are very reassuring, hopefully we will all get through it with very little side effects.

Keep smiling x

[mel734]

Brilliant post Susie, I wish I'd found this forum before I started on Jan 9th. My skin is also slightly red almost a week after finishing. The nipple is very tender but I'm about to start my period so that is bound to be affecting it. My boob inside is very tender (the other isnt so it's not period hormones), sore to touch, sore to lie on my side BUT nothing paracetamol and prescribed antiinflammotries cant take the edge off.

I'm tired, on and off but have been since first week but I keep thinking would i be tired anyway? I'm perimenopausal and indefinitely think that bot everything is 100% from the rads. Either way, I'm trying to rest but also do things, keeping moving. Good luck all those starting soon and midway 😍

[Susie B]

Hi Tili

Please try not to worry about the rads treatment, easier said than done, I know. The waiting is the worst but necessary part. I was told that after the initial measurements are taken from the CT scan a team of several people analyse everything to establish the correct areas to be zapped from all angles and how deep the rads should go. The first session is the longest as various photos/xrays are taken to compare with the originals taken at the CT scan. The zapping then starts with around 3 zaps each from each of the angles, probably 3, so 9 zaps in total, then you're done.  At the start of each session they'll get you into the correct position, take some measurements, draw ink marks on you whilst calling out numbers, then when they're done they'll leave the room and the zapping starts. Afterwards you're free to go home. At my hospital I was seen by a specialist after my first zapping to see how I was and to see how I had copped with everything from diagnosis, chemo and surgery. The same happened towards the end of treatment too with the added extra of what help there was moving forward. The hardest part of radiotherapy? The daily travelling. I had the last of my rads on 16th Nov. My skin is slightly red and I still get the odd niggle as things settle down after rads. One final thing, YES, you are doing the right thing. 

Susie B xx

[Tili]

Dear Granny K.

Take care, hopefully will get better soon. Lots of TLC. I’m getting a little worried about the treatment.....thinking am I doing the right thing ? Starting on 17th feeling quite sick with worry this morning.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY TO YOU ALL hugs TIli xx

[GrannyK]

Not tired, but sore ! Xx

[Tili]

Dear Tookie,

so please all going well for you, keep us all updated it makes life easier knowing how other are feeling, I’m a bit stressed with all the waiting around so good news from you is very welcoming.

All the lovely ladies, take care and be positive 

love and big hugs to you all TILI 👍😀

[LucyLump]

Glad it is going well for you Tookie. Xx

[Shablah]

Hi Tookie

Thanks for posting and the update. Glad to hear you are finding it easy so far. Well done for keeping up the exercising. Keep us up to date with how you are getting on x 

[Tookie]

Hi all

I have just finished day 5 of radiotherapy.  So far so good.  Don't worry about the treatment - the machine is positioned at the side of you and you cannot feel anything, only hear a whirring noise.  My first 3 treatments involved taking images as well as treatment and I was in and out within 20 minutes, now it's just treatment I was out within 10 minutes.  You need to let them position your body, which sometimes is quite hard to do as you want to move yourself, and then lie really still.  I have managed to go to an exercise class after each treatment, making the most of it in case the tiredness kicks in soon as I was told any side effects would take about a week. 

Take care xx

[Chelle56]

Hi Shablah

I can relate, I'm more nervous about this than I was the surgery, but we will get through it and then try to get our lives back on track 😀

Hope you enjoyed yoga x

[Shablah]

Hi Chelle56 

I will do. Even though I know what's happening I still feel apprehensive about it to be honest. 

I've just got in from a yoga class. I'm trying to keep as fit and hydrated as possible to help keep side affects to minimum hopefully 🤞

[Shablah]

Thanks for posting granny K. How are you feeling 10 days on? Are you still tired? 

[Chelle56]

Hi ladies

Just received my letter to say my radiotherapy treatment starts on 17 Feb  😲

Shablah as yours starts on 10th please let us know how it goes x

[Chelle56]

Thanks GrannyK 😀 hope you are recovering well x

[GrannyK]

Hi, I finished my radiotherapy ten days ago and had to do the breath holding technique (DIBH) as mine too was left breast, I tried to practice prior to treatment starting but it was so random!!

You'll be told how to do the breathing when you go to your appointment for the tattoos so that should help to settle your mind, when you are undergoing the session the team clearly tell you when to start holding and when to breath out, when they set you up for each session you'll have a practice run too. Don't worry about claustrophobia, you're not in a machine - the machine is over the bench you lie on and moves over you, so you're not enclosed, the team are in contact with you throughout the whole session - which even with  the breath holding is over within a few minutes!! Good Luck - you've got this!! xx

[Chelle56]

Hi Shablah

Yes, we take doing everyday tasks for granted and then when we can't do them it's so frustrating. The lady on the till in the supermarket must have thought I was really lazy, I packed the bags and then stood there waiting for my 83 year old mum to put them in the trolley to take to the car....... as there is nothing physically wrong with my arms she must have thought it strange. At least if you have a broken arm it's obvious 😂😂 ....... Only 2 weeks and 2 days to go before I can start doing things again - effect of rads permitting 😀

[Shablah]

Thanks Chelle56. I'm going to ring the nurses but I'm pretty sure they'll say its post op bruising. 

Funny you say that about ironing. I can't stand ironing and yet since I can't do any I wouldn't mind doing some now. Funny how the mind plays tricks on us! 😂

In fact I actually did on Saturday. I ironed my own top. I did it with with my little travel iron! But only one top, the one I was wearing that day. Huge achievement 💪😉.  That was enough with a tiny iron though it took ages. Not being able to weight bear is frustrating isn't it. Double whammy for me as I'm left handed too xx

[LucyLump]

Thank you so much Susie B. That is really helpful. I have followed the Oct 19 chemo starters group a lot. I missed you all when you all disappeared and it is great to see you back again! I hope you are all doing well. Chelle and Shablah, I understand what you mean. It is a full time job attending all these appointments and so stressful waiting between them. Just want it over with but we are nearly there. Sorry Shabla I didn't have any bruisey feelings in my back either. Lots of other weird sensations but not that. I agree maybe give your breast cancer nurse a ring to see if they can help. Xx

[Chelle56]

Hi Shablah

Sorry can't help you as I have not had anything like that on my back. Try putting an ice pack on it to see if it will help bring the bruising out. If it's still no better speak to your bc / gp for peace of mind

I am still not allowed to do anything either, never thought I would miss ironing 😂😂😂

[Susie B]

Hi LucyLump 

I've just popped in from the February 19 chemo starters  group and Oct rads group. I was advised to use aloe Vera 99.9% from Holland and Barrett and/or E45 cream. I used the aloe vera when I returned home after zapping and rubbed in the E45 before going to bed and first thing in the morning if I was being zapped late morning, afternoon or evening. Keep the moisturisers in the fridge as they will help cool the skin. I know everyone is different but I didn't have any problems with my skin apart from general redness and a sore bit across the clavical. One of the girls in our Feb group had her rads treatment in Oxford and didn't have the tattoos either. There's only around 6 machines in the country that use this method. Good luck with your treatment. If you or anyone in you group have any questions pop into out Feb 19 group and someone will get back to you.

Susie B xx

[Shablah]

Hi Chelle56 

I feel the same, I can't do anything either!

Can I ask as you had surgery around same time as me. I now have a pain, like a bruisy pain on my back in line with my surgeried boob, (not sure surgeried is a word) but still you know what I mean. It might be from the nodes biopsy but it seems worse today, not sure if it's part of the healing or not. I'm going to ring the BC nurses later. I was just wondering if you or anyone else who should read this, has this or has had this? The pain feels like a bruise but there is no bruising that I can see. It isn't unmanageable pain, I'd just be interested to know if anyone has the same X

[Chelle56]

It certainley doesn't 😔  I feel like my life is on hold and I can't plan anything.

[Shablah]

Thanks Chelle56 and Louise for your replies.

I know what you mean Chelle about waiting for treatment. All this waiting around doesn't help our mental health at all! Xx

[Chelle56]

Hi Shablah

Nobody has mentioned anything about massaging the boob to me. The radiographers said to make sure we carry on with the exercises we were given to do after surgery though to prevent cording and keep our shoulder joints flexible. 

Hope you are all doing well ladies, I am getting fed up waiting to start the sessions as just want it over with now.

Keep smiling xx

[LucyLump]

Thank you so much Tili. Xx

[Tili]

Hi Louise,

Like you I will be starting radio on Monday 17th February (15 session) yesterday 

i was shopping for Aveeno cream, purchased the DAILY MOISTURISING BODY LOTION for normal to dry skin in Supadrug they have it on offer at the moment, I used the cream all the time as I have sensitive skin....feeling sure this will be fine for you.

Lots of luck with your treatment. Big hugs Tili xx

[LucyLump]

Hi Shablah, 

Thank you for the information about the creams. I have found them on the Sainsburys website and will add them to my next weeks order. Re: massaging our boobs, I have a very large lump above my scar which I am pretty sure is a haematoma or seroma. My oncologist, breast surgeon and breast cancer nurse have all seen it and none of them seem bothered by it at all. I was worried it would delay the start of radiotherapy but the radiographers weren't worried about it either. None of them ever mentioned massaging it so I have just left it alone and will continue leaving it alone unless anyone says otherwise. 

Good Luck to anyone having radiotherapy or planning sessions this week. 

Xx

[Shablah]

Hi Ladies 

Can I ask you a question. Should we be massaging our boob? The one about to get treatment? I haven't massaged mine so far. It's still sore around the scar but I wondered if I should be massaging to "help" the healing? Also do we/should we massage during radiotherapy or do we it leave alone whilst in treatment? Anyone know for sure what I should be doing? 

[Shablah]

Hi Louise 

Welcome, sorry you find yourself here with the rest of us. I'm starting on the 10th. I'm also left sided I have been practicing the breathing with the stopwatch on my phone. 

My oncologist advised me to get Aveeno as it isn't oil based. My hospital doesn't supply us with cream.

I bought a 200ml tube of Aveeno Daily Moisturising lotion (looks like a big handcream tube) one with the green flip lid. I also bought a light blue coloured flip top one, again Aveeno, it's really for babies bums so not sure which one is best, but I'd rather have too much than not enough. I also got some Aloe Vera (99.9 pure)  gel from Holland and Barrett after talking to a couple of ladies at my support group. Another tip they gave me was to keep the creams in the fridge so they are nice and cold and that can help to soothe if needed. Best to do what's best for you. I've never used Aveeno before so before I slather it over my already poorly boob I've been using it (the green topped one) on my hands as handcream to see if it's OK on my skin, so far so good. 

Hope that helps, also you can read the advice on the previous radiotheraphy groups here on this forum to help you if needed. Keep posting her and let us know how you get on. Best of luck xx

[LucyLump]

Hi Lovely Ladies, 

Please can I join you. I am starting radiotherapy on 18 February. I am having 15 sessions left side. I have had my planning meeting already. I am not the best at the breathing exercises and I am planning not wearing a bra for several weeks. At my hospital they don't do the tattoos. I am not sure how they do it but they have another technique instead. I am really looking forward to getting it all over with. The hospital has given me cream but I will also get some aveeno. I looked in Sainsburys but there were a lot of aveeno products to choose from. Does anyone know which one I should pick? Well done those of you who have started already. 

Love Louise. Xx

[Sandpiper]

Hi Everyone

It is an emotional time and the whole process of radiotherapy is outside of our normal day to day life.  You do get used to it though as you work your way through the sessions. Then all of a sudden it's finished.

It took me around a month after for the extra tiredness to go. Felt quite flat for a while but that's improved now. Have been to a couple of workshops on nutrition and relaxation which has helped.

Sandpiper

x

[Chelle56]

Hi ladies

Hope you are all doing well.

I had my rads planning appointment this morning, it wasn't half as bad as I expected, staff were lovely and explained everyrhing they were going to do. Breathing technique was fine, just have to make sure I keep the white bar in the middle of the green screen. She also explained that being fair skinned doesn't mean you would be more suseptible to a reaction as, although they refer to the reaction as sunburn' the rays used are completly different and normally just make the skin go a light pink. I will also be given a tub of moisturiser to use when my treatment starts to keep my skin hydrated. 

Just waiting for the start date to come through now.

[Tookie]

Congratulations Mel on finishing treatment. Take it easy and don't rush back to work. x 

[Chelle56]

Congratilations Mel, I bet you are so relieved Rads are over. Take it easy and don't overdo things. Let us know how you are getting on x

[Shablah]

Well done Mel. Good luck going back to work. Don't rush things, take it easy and take care x

[mel734]

Great advice, I'm finished now 😊 rang the bell at 430pm!!

I do still work so will let you know how I feel in the coming days. I have an appointment with my GP in the morning to discuss work, rest period etc. I'm still very tender so don't want to go back until that feeling has passed. My job can be stressful so I want to make sure I'm 100% before I go back.

[Chelle56]

Thanks Sandpiper, that's useful to know and I will look at the threads you suggest 😀