Radiotherapy

[Sami01]

What's was your experience? I'm set to have 15 rounds in September.

Thanks hope all is well with everyone 😊

[Jennymary]

It's very doable, be kind to your skin, I used an aqueous cream, but the one thing I really struggled with was. I had complete node clearance on the right arm which got incredibly stiff and stayed that way right throughout my 15 days of treatment, when the 15 days were over and I visited my BCN she referred me for physio and overtime I regained full movement, not saying this to scare/worry you, my left arm where I've got all my nodes was fine, good luck x

[Sami01 in reply to Jennymary]

Hi Jennymary,

Oh no, I really! Good that u regained full movement.

I'm planning on travelling to and from the hospital on public transport, would you say is a good idea? Getting a lift from family will be tricky. There is the option of taking hospital transport too.

Take care

Thanks Sami 😊

[nikonBlue in reply to Sami01]

hi, I had to use public transport every day to attend my 15 sessions so you'll be fine. I'm in Fife and the Forth Road Bridge was closed so I had no choice but to use trains and buses. The travelling made what would have been an hour or so into all day though! The treatment itself is a breeze and I was given a huge tub of cream to use after every zap and all was ok. Treat yourself to coffee and cake after!!

stay well

Blue x

[Sami01 in reply to nikonBlue]

Hello Blue,

Thanks for your reply.

It's a hour on public transport to the hospital, another hour travelling back. I suppose I can get the free transport back home.

Sounds a good idea having coffee and cake after 😎

Thanks Sami😊

[nikonBlue in reply to Sami01]

The free transport here is only if you have mobility problems and also took ages as it goes round the country picking other folk up but it may be different where you are. Treatment itself takes about 5 minutes!!

Blue x

[Sami01 in reply to nikonBlue]

Hello Blue,

It's available in the information regarding radiotherapy I was given. I have an appointment tomorrow, ill enquire more about it then 😊

Take care

Sami😊

[Ditzy60]

Hi, I found it fine. Felt a bit tired but think that was just juggling work and the daily trips. Had no probs with skin and the staff lovely. Good luck x

[Sami01 in reply to Ditzy60]

Thanks Ditzy60

Take care 😎

[Iknitandstitch]

Everyone reacts differently my friend sailed through it I didn't...

regarding transport ask where you are having it done where mine was there was free transport but as I lived so close friends/family took me for me it was one less thing to worry about

Good luck Diane

[Sami01 in reply to Iknitandstitch]

Thanks for your reply Diane 😎

I have 1 family member who can take me to some of them, but not all so I wondered if getting public transport would be a good idea. I'll ask and see what my oncologist says.

Take care

Thanks Sami😊

[carolinenailsea]

Hi Sami

I found radiotherapy no problem at all but I know that some people find it tiring and some people get slightly sore skin. I used lots of avenno to protect my skin. Its still a bit red two year on under my breast at times but its never felt sore. I went by bus and found it fine. Good luck Caroline xx

[Sami01 in reply to carolinenailsea]

Hi Carolinenailsea

Thanks for your reply 😎

Thats good, I'm glad you had no issues travelling back and fourth by bus. I'll see how I feel if it gets too much suppose I can get the free transport available.

Take care

Thanks Sami😊

[JordanandLily07]

Hi Sami I found Radiotherapy really easy wasnt tired and worked all the the way throught treatment. Look after your skin i used E45 2 - 3 times a day and some light excerises shoulder lifts circular movements of shoulders helped. The last few days of treatment the area was sensitive like light sunburn so just wore vest type tops and no bra. Be kind to yourself and if you need to rest, rest. I also had alternative help from Breast Haven, Reiki & Acupuncture both i highly reccomend for self care xxx Good luck and im sure you will do great.

Julie xxxx

[Sami01 in reply to JordanandLily07]

Hi Jordanandlily07

Thanks for your reply.

That's a good idea, I will defo consider alternative help from. The breast care haven.

Take care

Thanks Sami😊

[Lorraineam]

I had 15 radiotherapy in 2015. I used E45 cream on the skin and only had mild sunburn type burns. The thing I noticed most was about 2 or 3 weeks after finishing treatment I was very tired. This did pass off after a couple of weeks

[Sami01 in reply to Lorraineam]

Hi Lorraineam,

Thanks for your reply and advice. 😊

Take care

Sami😊

[SuePS1958]

I used the radiotherapy appointments as a way of catching up with people. I got different people to take me every day and before/after we went for coffee/lunch/garden centres etc. This made it much more fun and more positive to remember than lots of hospital appts.

[Sami01 in reply to SuePS1958]

Hi SuePS1958,

Thanks for your reply and advice 😎

Take care

Thanks Sami😊

[Memories]

Hi Sami01

I just finished 15 rounds of radium last week. Everything went great. The hardest part is travelling in and out each day. You are only on the machine for minutes. Probably takes longer to get into position. I just make sure I used loads of moisturiser and drank plenty of water. My skin was fine throughout a bit red and my nipple was a bit tender but nothing I couldn't manage. A week later I have a small patch higher up with a few small blisters. Probably because I didnt moisturise that bit enough. The girls are lovely and happy to answer any questions you may have. Hope it all goes ok for you. x

[Sami01 in reply to Memories]

Hey Memories,

Thanks for your reply and advice. I'll be sure to moisturise and drink plenty of water.

Take care

Thanks Sami 😊

[Debster2016]

Hi Sami I had 15 rounds in 2017. My journey to and from hospital was an hour but my husband drove me each day he got made redundant just as my chemo started (not a surprise, suited him as he wanted to be my career). For me a big downside was getting depressed in the middle of my treatment. I had a really bad day when I couldn’t stop crying and we had to pull over into a gas station for more tissues! However I have a history of depression. And when I read back thro my notes from my initial appointment with a senior radiographer they had said this may happen, around the middle of the treatment. She was bang on.

Whilst the tears were extremely, um, intense, to understand that it was perfectly normal was very comforting. And this episode did pass. We are all different; this is just a heads-up just in case 😌🙏.

I highly recommend drinking LOTS of water 👍.

Best wishes xxxx

[Sami01 in reply to Debster2016]

Thanks for your reply Debster2016 😎

Aww bless your husband. I would love one like him.

And thank you for the heads up. Absolutely with the water, aim for a litre a day?

Take care

Thanks Sami 😊

[TrishLamb]

Hi I’ve got 3 more of my radiotherapy treatments to go out of my 15 then I’m having 5 targeted radiotherapy treatments. I get very tired, and must sleep... skin has gone red, but using lots of creams. You are literally in there for 5 minutes while they mark you up and make sure your in line and then the treatment is about two and half minutes. People find the journey everyday and finding parking more of a pain. Unfortunately I suffer with anxiety but they are trying me with short acting sedative today.

You’ll be fine, but just remember to sleep or at least rest, you will be very tired.

[Sami01 in reply to TrishLamb]

Hello TriciaPen Thanks for your reply. 😎

Rest plenty, will do 😊

Crazy how I will travel an hour for a 5 minute treatment, shame its not at my local hospital.

Take care too, thanks Sami 😊

[Meatball123]

Hi there, hope you are doing well. My experience with radiation was not bad at all. It doesn't hurt at all and is over so quickly. Takes about 2 minutes to be exact. I had it every day for 6 weeks and it made me very tired. If you can imagine being on a beach on a really hot day and falling asleep in the sun then waking up feeling drained and thirsty and so tired...... that's what radiation feels like. It leaves you feeling so drained and so tired so you will sleep a lot. You cannot bath or wash the area you have radiation on so I kept the area on my breast dry and I used a lot of corn flour (yes the flour you use for making sauces etc.) I used it under my arms to stop me sweating and in my breast. It is easy to put in and dust off. Radiation sometimes burns your skin badly that it may blister and I just found that using the corn flour saved my skin. I had no problems at all. Try it. Radiation does, however, after a few zaps, does discolour your skin. It's almost like a tan. But if you keep the area being treated dry all the time, you will be fine. Radiation is just very draining so get plenty if rest and stay out of the sun. Cover up if you do have to go out in the sun because the area that is being treated will become uncomfortable and feels like it's burning even though you are covered so just be cautious and careful. I wish you all the very best and I know you will sail through it all. Take care xx

[Sami01]

Hi Meatball cool username 😎

Thanks for your reply,really cornflour? Interesting.

The information I received about radiotherapy says to bathe daily? I'll read that again just in case I read it wrong?

Take care

Thanks Sami 😊

[Iknitandstitch]

I was told to use SPF30 on face (moisturiser) the only one I could find was Loreal Revitalift SPF30 I use SPF50 on other parts of body if u have Lidl or Aldi near you get one of theirs for kids wear cotton cardigan and a sun hat long skirt/trousers no e

I never heard about cornflour I used an emulsifier as I have delicate skin anyway and the RT played havoc with it - as I said previously everyone is different IF IN DOUBT RING YOUR BREAST CARE NURSE there is no daft question they have not already heard...lol

Wear cotton cardigan long skirt/trousers and a sun hat might look daft but saving your skin is preferable 2 years on and I still do all that

Diane

[Sami01 in reply to Iknitandstitch]

Thanks for your advice Diane 😎

I've recently been recommended by a chemo nurse to use p20 sunscreen spf 50. As chemo has permanently weakened the skin.

Take care Sami😊

[scotlassie]

I had 20 rounds of radio in March.. I thought it was a breeze with no after effects until the last week when it hit me , my skin got very sore and started to peel off esp underarm, I was given zerobase cream to rub in and went braless for weeks after. I also got very tired easily which got worse a few weeks after stopping radio. I started back to work on a phased return for a month in May, there is no way I could have been on my feet all day fulltime...

My advice would be take it easy and rest when you can, eat well, drink lots of water, get a comfy soft bra or wear a vest and wear a button down shirt to yr appts as it's easier to get on and off..hope all goes well for you! hugs x

p.s I had a complete meltdown in Currys of all places halfway through treatment, just couldn't stop crying for no discernable reason, was told this can happen!

[Sami01 in reply to scotlassie]

Thank you for your reply Scotlassie 😎

Interesting how you had side effects 6 months after you had radiotherapy. I'll defo take your advice on board, I'm writing the advice down to prepare and so I don't forget.

I've purchased some wireless support bras from peacocks and from primark. Which are more comfortable the normal bras!

Really oh no, I'm sorry to hear that happened to you while in Currys ❤️

Take care Sami 😊

[scotlassie]

When i said " the last week", It was the last wk of radio!! Xx

[Sami01 in reply to scotlassie]

My mistake, I read ur message wrong. 😂