Radiotherapy June 2019

[Fitzpmb]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd see how everyone is getting on? I had a great holiday, a bit odd staying out the sun and swimming pool but it was really relaxing and just what I needed. 

Everything was healing up nicely and I was feeling good but in the last week my skin has broke out under my breast. Think it could be because I've went back to wearing my normal bras? Anyway hope everyone is getting on well and for those who have gone back to work I hope your coping ok  xx

[Jac67]

Hi ladies .  Glad everyone is doing well . I’ve been ok just trying to get on with it . It’s the emotional side I find hard . But I suppose that’s normal. Back to work end August so that’ll keep me busy . Got my appointment end of August too . Then that’s us till next year . Glad to see end of this one lol ❤️ Xxx

[RedCarrie]

Enjoy your holiday. 

[Fitzpmb]

Hi Liloc good to hear from you again. I was just wondering how everyone was getting on. 3 weeks now since my last treatment and I have been loads better than expected. A few blisters at the top of my breast in the first week after treatment finished and I now have a few under my breast. I have just been using loads of moisturiser and both healed nicely. I am away on holiday tomorrow for a week. Got my factor 50, hat and cover ups so should be ok. Just going to chill and forget about things for a while.

Like you Redcar I have my appointment in for the end of August where hopefully that will be me till my mammogram next year. Just the tamoxifen to deal with now. 💕

[RedCarrie]

Good to hear from you Liloc. All is good here, I feel like a human being again and not a "cancer patient". I go back to work next week so I'm making the most of being a lady of leisure before reality bites. Oncology appointment in the middle of August, I'm hoping I'll be discharged, or whatever it is they do when you reach the end of active treatment (not including hormone therapy).

Hope everyone is well, xx

[Liloc]

Hi June rads girls, how’s it going? I’m ok, coming up for five weeks since I finished, time flies! Had a worse time with the side effects afterwards than actually doing the treatment which I found was a doddle. 😬Since then have been quite sore, especially weeks 2-4 afterwards when I was red, tender and itching.  Since then it has calmed down,aloe vera gel is lovely and cooling, would recommend it.  Still very sensitive underarm and the nipple area but that’s where my surgery and lymph node scars are, so to be expected I guess. Boobybaby, hope your lymph node wound is giving you less issues now. 

Now on a six month course of oral chemotherapy- yuk. Fingers crossed I don’t get the same side effects as with the IV chemo. So treatment til the end of the year at least  😒.

Hope you’re all recovering well. RedCarrie, hope all hunky dory for you now. Fitzpmb, did you manage to get away on holiday?  We couldn't really plan anything for the school holidays as I didn’t know my treatment dates (everything becomes secondary to BC, doesn’t it?) but now I know my 3 week cycles on these drugs we hope to go to the seaside for a bit (weather depending!).

Jac67, are you back at work soon? Take it easy and don’t do too much too soon. I am lucky I can carry on working from home for another while yet, I still feel quite tired so glad I haven’t got to face commuting into London for the time being. Nice being able to fit in an afternoon siesta when I can 😴😁. 

[Boobybaby]

Update - Biafine seems to have helped.  I am now day 11 after rads ended and mostly boob is fine BUT the area on the top of my boob which I realise I hadn't been coating in cream has a nasty, sometimes itchy, rash which every morning I think is getting better and then as the day wears on, isn't any better at all!

I am very tired, not sleeping well and the biggest problem is that my lymph node wound has started weeping as it did for quite a long time after surgery and before radiotherapy.  I spoke to BCN who forwarded me to radiotherapy team and the nurse there said it was likely the rads caused the weeping.  I am keeping an eye on it and to be honest if it is still weeping at 14 days post rads I will ask to see someone.  

[Fitzpmb]

Hi all hope your all doing ok. 

Well done Jac67 on your last treatment. Im just on my way for my last one today. Really sore and a bit red so glad its the last one.

Liloc glad your not suffering too many side effects after 10 days. We are hoping to get away for a wee holiday in 3 weeks. Just going to see how I am after 2 weeks before we book anything. xx💕

[Jac67]

That’s me finished last one yesterday. See how next few weeks goes but tender underarm and red . Good luck everyone ❤️Xxx

[Liloc]

Hi all, Jackie & Fitzpmb, glad you are both finishing this week and it’s all gone smoothly. I finished 10 days ago and I’m not too bad. Still feel a bit raw and sore on the boob and underarm where my surgery scars are. Think I  have started blistering on the nipple 😬 so we’ll see how that goes. All the skin’s gone very dark, not a great look just on one side...

Still quite tired too, trying to walk every day to get some stamina back post-chemo but think radiotherapy has set me back a little as I am quite knackered when I get back. 

RedCarrie, how are you getting on? Look to you as you were a few days ahead of me 😁

[Jac67]

Hi hope everyone is doing well . I finish tomorrow 🎉  Glad to be ending this part of journey as I can now try get back to normal. Work in August 🙈  I’ve been really well through rads so can’t complain Good luck everyone for week 💕💕Jackie xxx

[Fitzpmb]

Hi all

Day 12 for me 3 more to go. Same a you Jac67 going ok a bit red and a bit tired.

One thing though Ive lost my voice? No sore throat, only when I'm trying to talk. Has anyone else experienced this? x💕

[Jac67]

Hi everyone now on day 13 after today 2 left can’t believe how quick it has gone . Been feeling great but bit tired today so can’t really complain. Bit red on chest . Moisturising like mad . Hope everyone is doing well . 💕 xx Jackie 

[Fitzpmb]

Hi all,

The only good thing about this is the days are racing by. Passed the half way mark now! 😀

Thank you for all the replies about the nausea. I have been making sure I now eat something proper before I go. I also drink a bottle of water right afterwards. I still have the nausea but it seems to lift quickly once I get back home.

I think it could be the early mornings and the long car journeys that's making me feel like this. 

Skin so far holding up. A bit red especially my nipple. Liloc like you I am sore under the arm where my lympnoids scar is.

Hope everyone has a good week. Hugs.

[Liloc]

Hi all, hope you are all faring ok and treatment today went well. I finished on Thursday, days are racing by. RedCarrie, like you,  I have been feeling very tired but I had a busy social weekend so hard to say if it’s purely rads side effect or just doing too much. Also I had been doing just 4 hours a day of work and today I went back to my usual 7 hours which was a bit of a shock to the system! Still working from home rather than going into the office, don’t think I can cope with commuting for a while yet.

Also quite sore in the boob area and under arm especially where I have my lymph node biopsy scar which feels quite raw now. Still putting lots of Aveeno cream on and baby powder which really helps calm it down (I haven’t heard of anyone else using that but it is soothing). The weekend’s hot weather didn’t help though. 

Fitzpmb, hope the sickness feeling has passed. Hate nausea and if there’s the possibility of getting it - car sickness, morning sickness, chemo sickness - I’ll get it, so don’t think it’s due to the radiotherapy. Not sure of the side effects of your other medication, I’m not on anything else at the moment so can’t help for advice, sorry. Hope it’s passed. 

Liza 

[Lilacmoon14]

Dear Fitzpmb, 

Sorry too hear you are feeling sick. Are you drinking plenty? It could be the dehydration effect of the zapping as it can be the same as having sunburn. I'm also on Tamoxifen but apart from night sweats and the onset of my menopause, I've had no issues with it. 

As for the after effects once zaps have done, I didn't fair too badly. My chest area from where my treatment area finished and my untreated skin started, got very itchy, a bit like pricky heat but that calmed down after 10 days. 

And apart from the skin on my nipple drying out and falling off, all was well!!!!

Just drink heaps and take it easy xxx

[RedCarrie]

How's everyone managing in this heat? I went out to water my plants, even though I had the treated area fully covered I could feel my skin getting sore.

I didn't feel sick during treatment Fitzpmb, but since starting Letrozole I have been queezy, so maybe it's the Tamoxifen affecting you.

Over half way through for you jac67, nearly there. 

Good luck with your treatment joycehanq.

I've had a bad week, feeling so tired and run down. I thought it would be easier now I've finished radiotherapy. Mind you the aftercare leaflet I was given did say to expect to feel tired for up to two weeks after treatment. 

[Jac67]

Hi everyone I’m on session 8 of 15 so far all good , bit  pink but feel fine . Drinking lots water and moisturising ., see how next week goes. Good luck everyone ❤️Xx

[joycehanq]

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@Fitzpmb wrote:

Keeping my fingers crossed we all get through this with as little problems as they say. Every step from diagnosis to Operation's to medication then radium is so scary. Just when I think I've got it under control my brain goes off in a tangent. 

I know I can do this though and look forward to next year when we can all look back and smile that we did get through it. 

---

Hi I start my radiotherapy soon but like you I think I’ve got everything under control when my mind goes wandering. Looking forward to the future 

[Fitzpmb]

Hi

Hope everyone doing ok. I've just finished my 6th session and feeling sick.  Keep getting told that its nothing to do with the radium and either something I've picked up or the tamoxifen tablets. Anyone else experienced this?

[Gill3105]

Hi boobybaby.  Almost finished active treatment and ringing that bell.  Yeahhhh well done.  I to have big boobies and your doc is correct in what is said.   Once complete look after yourself and listen to your body is my advice.  My skin broke down under the boob on the crease line.  It can be be sore but mine looked worse and went in melt down when it happened. It is just peeling but looks raw with the new skin underneath.  I was advices at the time to stop cream 💯 % and let the skin dry out.  I just lay on the bed no bra (total eclipse lol) and let it breath and within 48 hours it was much much better.  Hope all goes well for you and keep up the fluids and excersise.  I am now 12 month on and ok ish!  Bit of joint pain from hormone tabs anastrozole and have the odd blip mentally but getting there.   Hoping one day soon it will take another shelf in my head.   Good luck and ring that bell loud 🔔 xxxx

[Boobybaby]

Hi Ladies

New here, I'm ten down just five more to go.  

On another thread somewhere on this wonderful forum someone mentioned Biafine cream (I got it from Amazon) which is French and supposed to be good for radiotherapy and burns in general.  Anyway I have been using this (a little goes a long way) immediately after zapping - in my cubicle before dressing.  I am now a bit pink but haven't had too much in the way of problems.  The doctor saw me today in clinic and warned me that because I'm rather a big girl (!) my boob will go pink, then brown and then peel or blister.  Something to look forward to  - so I am hoping this magic cream works well and if it stops some of this happening I'll come back and tell you all to use it!  He has also said I will have to treat myself with kid gloves for a couple of weeks after I finish the treatment.  

I've been lucky as I didn't have to have chemo but they do want me to have Letrozole which bothers me about side effects but I have agreed to give it a go.

Good Luck everyone x

Quick Update : just seen that there are ingredients which some would dismiss as "nasty" but I will continue and perhaps swap to aloe vera after a couple of weeks.

[Liloc]

Hi all, after saying that I’m in and out in 10 minutes (should never boast 😂), yesterday the machine froze halfway through my treatment. Thought I would have to lie there stock still while the technician did his stuff in the other room (I was already getting an itch on my ear and left ankle 😖)but luckily the radiotherapy girls took pity on me and got me off. Machine rebooted quite quickly and they got me on again but they had to do all the lining up again..... and would be the day my mum and sister had come up with me to have lunch. They had eaten by the time I got there....

Seeing the doctor today as finishing on Thursday so trying to think of all my questions. 

Hope all goes smoothly for everyone today x

[Nervousnellie]

Thank you, RedCarrie. Glad that you got through your treatment ok apart from the itchy rash. It must be a relief to have finished.

All the best to you too!xx

[RedCarrie]

---

@Nervousnellie wrote:

Is being in the sun an issue forevermore? 

Nervousnellie

---

The leaflet I was given by the radiotherapy department says "The skin in the treatment area will always be more sensitive to the sun. Please wear a high factor/sun block cream in warm weather".

To what degree the skin will be sensitive in the future I don't know, hopefully someone who had treatment a long time ago will know. I do know that I got the smallest area exposed to the sun for a short while and that is what caused my itchy rash - which cleared up quickly with hydrocortisone cream.

Good luck with your treatment xx

[Nervousnellie]

Hi all,

I’m a newbie here and am finding reading this thread really helpful.

I had a wide local excision in March followed by a re-excision and sentinel lymph node biopsy two weeks later for margins and because invasive cancer had also been found. Lymph node was clear.

Have been on Letrozole since mid-April and had first of 15 radiotherapy sessions today.

Am psyching myself up for possible side effects and somewhat nervous about the warnings that are issued at the start of treatment! 

Is being in the sun an issue forevermore? At what point does a change in shape of the breast become apparent? Obviously it has already changed as a result of surgery! Will it shrink further??

Any advice gratefully received!!

Nervousnellie

[Jac67]

Congratulations on finishing.Im on session 4 today and coming down with a cold 😞 I never get cold either but everyone in house has it lol . Hope u keep well  . ❤️Xx

[RedCarrie]

I was told that the after effects last for a couple of weeks. I feel really lucky that things went well with my treatment. I hope it goes as well for everyone else xxx

[Liloc]

Hi all, good luck with treatment this week, hope it all goes smoothly.

RedCarrie, hurrah for the last one. Keep in touch and let us know after effects if any as I have heard it doesn’t all stop when the sessions stop. You seem to have taken it all in your stride so far 💪💪💪

xx 

[RedCarrie]

Hope all goes well for everyone this week. It's my last session today. I have been very lucky to have avoided side effects - other than an itchy rash last week - fingers crossed it stays that way.

Onto the hormone therapy next. 

Hugs to you all xxx

[Lilacmoon14]

Hi Vic2000, 

Good luck with starting your rads xxx 

I was going through it this time last year and I can't believe where the time has gone!! 

Thankfully it was a beautiful summer and my 2.5 hour round trip to the hospital was better then if I'd had to do it in the dead of winter. My partner drove me everyday, gawd bless him, and I say that because it was the World Cup and he's a huge football fan but still insisted on taking me even if it meant missing some parts of the games!!!! 

I swore by Aleo Vera gel for straight afterwards and then AV cream during the day. It was one that I got from my local natural health food shop. The sunburn it came out at about the 12 session mark. I had 15 rounds plus 3 boosters. To help with the itch I took hayfever tablets and a friend gave me a brill cream from America (Gold Bond-) which took the itch away. 

As it was a lovely summer I got away with wearing baggy tee-shirts and no bra, so no need to change at all, just went in the rads room and striped off there and then. I was always in and out in less then 10 mins. 

Drink lots of water and be careful when you bath or shower as having the water too hot cam make the area flair up, also pat ypurself dry rather then rubbing as again this will help your skin settle. Just use heaps of moisturiser.

The worst of the redness came out after rads had finished and it was a good few months until everything faded. I got nerve pains in my boob for a while, like little red hot needles being poked in, and my poor nipple looked like it was going to drop off!!! But with a lot of care and a trip to get supplies from the breast feeding section of Boots, all was well. 

Thats pretty much it in a nutshell. And everything i needed to know I got from this forum 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞💞

Good luck xxxx

[Liloc]

Hi Vic, yes same advice as the others, Aveeno cream and Aloe vera seem popular, I’ve been using E45, just keep moisturised. And keep hydrated with lots of water. I’ve done 10 so far and 🤞no big issues, feel a bit tingly and sensitive on the boob and underarm  area and the skin has got darker so a bit like when you’ve had too much sun on the beach. 

The actual sessions are relatively easy. Mine have been very punctual, get shown into a cubicle where I’ve become super fast at pulling off my top and bra and getting the gown on (less to strip off now it’s summer). Actually being under the machine doesn’t take long at all, just getting lined up and a few breath holds (if you’re doing the left side). I just shut my eyes and go to my happy place (waves crashing on a beach 🏝, poppies swaying in a meadow 🌺 😄) but I need that far more for blood tests etc than for this, it doesn’t hurt at all and it’s over before you know it. 

Don’t know how far you have to travel but nice to make an outing out of it to break the monotony of going in every day. Ask a friend to come along for a coffee or lunch afterwards depending on your appointment time. I have to trek up to central London but I’ve met up with people for a browse on the Kings Road or a little trip to the V&A, so been a bit different from the norm. Also lucky enough to have a few friends who are free to drive me in so that’s been nice, for the company as well as the transport! 

Also get lots of rest, I have been getting tired. My son’s 15 so doesn’t need looking after in the afternoon (much! apart from nagging to get off the Xbox and do some homework) so I tend to have a little siesta if I can. 

Good luck for Monday, when you get started it’ll be fine. 

Hope it goes well for everyone else today Liza x

[Fitzpmb]

Hi I had my first session today and I was given 2 lots of cream. one a steroid cream to be applied at night the other to use 2 or more times a day. Not sure if everywhere is the same though. X

[Jac67]

Hi Vic 

I started on Wednesday using aveeno cream . But have aloe Vera as well for later on . Xx

[Vic2000]

Hi everyone - I’ve just found this group and I have my first session on Monday.  Do you get told what creams you should use or does anyone have any recommendations / hints / tips please? 

x

[Liloc]

🤣 that’s so funny RedCarrie! The minute they’ve finished doing all their really precise to the millimetre measurements I get an itch on the back of my elbow, the top of my head or the end of my nose. Think it’s not being able to move that I notice it, normally I would just itch (especially my head as I’ve got new hair coming through so always seem to be touching my scalp).  Made me laugh that it’s not just me though, thanks 😁

[RedCarrie]

Does anyone else get an itch the moment the radiographer has lined you up? I'm sure it's psychological but it happens every time for me.

[Fitzpmb]

Hi all

Just back from my first session and all went well. Wasn't sure what to expect but I was in and out in about 20 mins. One down 14 to go.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. hugsx

[RedCarrie]

Jac67, I hope it continues to go well for you. Bay, I'm sorry it's still tough, but I'm guessing you must be almost finished soon. Liloc, that's a blow for you to have to do more chemo. 

I only have 2 sessions to go now and fortunately the hydrocortisone cream did the trick and my skin has settled down, although under my arm where the lymph nodes were removed is swollen, but I feel lucky that I have got off so lightly (so far). Zoladex injection this afternoon, so here comes the menopause.

A man rang the bell today, it was quite emotional cos everyone was so happy for him. 

[Jac67]

Hi everyone started yesterday so was fine . Staff lovely. Just getting the cream on and drinking water . Good luck everyone 💕

[Liloc]

Bay, forgot to say hi to you! Hope yesterday was a smooth session and today gets even quicker! x  

[Liloc]

Hi all, how are you doing? Going in for No.10 today, can’t believe I’ve done 2 weeks already! 

jac67, you should have started yesterday, how did it go? 

Fitzpmb, think you are starting today, good luck, the anticipation and thinking about it beforehand is much worse than the treatment itself, once you get going it’s fine! 🍀

Redcarrie, how are you doing? Has the rash calmed down? Hope the antihistamine is doing its stuff.

Jaybro, last day today????? I read your thread about celebrating. Totally with you there. They don’t have a bell at my hospital but in any case treatment feels never ending. When I was diagnosed I was told chemo, surgery and radiotherapy so I thought if I could tick off those three stages, that would be it. Now I’ve been told it would be good as a preventative measure to do another 6 months of chemo - Capecitabine, in tablet form this time and hopefully not so harsh side effects - but the thought of another 8 cycles of blood tests, low immune system, hair loss, la di da etc etc, is really depressing. Plus bone strengthening injections 6 monthly. I know it’s for my own good and the last thing I want is recurrence when I’ve worked so hard to get rid of the current tumour so I’ll just have to bite the bullet. So finishing rads will be fantastic but yes, like you I don’t feel ready to conga. However, having said that, I am having a little celebration party in a room above a pub in July just to say thank you to all my fantastic friends and family for their support and pasta bakes. Maybe we will put on some good tunes and have a celebratory bop! 

[Liloc]

Hiya, hope you’re all ok. Did No.7 of my 15 today and all going well. No major side effects so far, boob is a bit tingly but not painful and I’m moisturising a lot. I am tired but that could be for lots of reason besides the rads: leftover fatigue from chemo; getting up early to do some work before I go (I’ve been working from home since Nov); having to travel over an hour up to town to the hospital. So can’t really say radiotherapy itself is making me tired, more just the combination of things - have to get to bed earlier too instead of binge watching Killing Eve 😜.
For those of you about to start, please don’t worry, you WILL be fine 🦸🏻‍♀️💪. I presume you have done the planning session to get your markings done; the actual treatment is much easier than that! The lovely radiographers literally spend four or five minutes lining your tattoos up to make sure you’re in the right position, then the machines move around you for another few minutes and then you’re done. I have to do a few breath holds as they’re treating my left side to hold to heart away, but it’s very doable. There’s a nice photo of palm trees and Caribbean skies on the ceiling of my treatment room so I just lie back and pretend I’m lying on a beach in Barbados 😂🏝! Before I know it it’s time to get dressed. Honestly some days I feel like I spend more time in the changing cubicle than under the machine. Just wear jeans and a simple top and bra that you can pull off quickly - you can leave all your bottom half and shoes on.
Bay, hope the seroma has improved for you and it’s got easier for you now.

[RedCarrie]

PS, Jaybro, is it your last session tomorrow? 

[RedCarrie]

This morning I woke up with a red, itchy rash. The radiographer said it was a skin reaction to the treatment and gave me some hydrocortisone cream. 

How is everyone else getting on? 

[Fitzpmb]

Keeping my fingers crossed we all get through this with as little problems as they say. Every step from diagnosis to Operation's to medication then radium is so scary. Just when I think I've got it under control my brain goes off in a tangent. 

I know I can do this though and look forward to next year when we can all look back and smile that we did get through it. 

[RedCarrie]

I'm just out of session 9 of 15. The end is getting closer. Hopefully those of you who will be starting soon will be fine. I'm OK so far, occasional little tingles but so far so good. It'll be interesting to see how things go next week as I've been told that the side effects can start between session 10 to 14. The only thing that I'm struggling with is fatigue, but I have a lot of driving to do every day so I think that's the problem. Even the breath holding isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. 

Good luck to you all. Hopefully the rain will stop and we can enjoy the weekend. 

[Jac67]

Hi 

I start 19th . Know what you mean ! Keen to get started but nervous too xxx

[Pjf0265]

Hi 

I start rad July 2nd and can understand what you are saying ! Lots of people have said you will be fine, and you might not get the symptoms the oncologist said you may get ! It's a difficult journey and people don't understand when they are not going through it !  Good luck with your treatment and to everyone else on this thread , keep in touch . We can all do this together xxx