March 2019 Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Chat Group

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. It's good yhat you have a good fsmily aroubd you that you can talk to and that are supporting you.

Take care x

3 sessions down today, and now two days off. I hope to catch up on some sleep. So far I've been moisturising several times a day and the skin does not really look any different yet!

I'm coping with all the death stuff and today signed off on the cremation papers. I even managed lunch today with several old friends. 

Hi , good, you're getting through the rads, one fifth done now! Bet you're glad to have a 2 day break. My skin didn't look different till about half way through from what I can remember. Keep up the moisturising, I'm still doing it twice a day, tedious though it is.

well done for also coping with all the paperwork to do with your husband's death, I'm sure it seems neverending at the moment. And fitting in lunch as well, hopefully these dear friends are good support, and I firmly believe in making time for treats like lunches, coffees, cakes, you need some light relief amongst all the cr**. 

Hope you can do some 'for you' stuff over the weekend too. Hugs, HFxx

Oh Tigermum, I'm so sorry to hear that!! I popped in to say I'd finished Radiotherapy and it was ok and was so saddened by your post .. I really hope you get through this with few problems. I found the radiotherapy staff all so lovely and I'm sure they will support you through this tough time. Thinking of you hugs, stay strong. I'll pop in again to see how you're doing. xxxx

Hi all,

I've had 2 of 15 rad sessions and experiencing very bad shoulder and neck pain.  Had problems with this about 4 yrs ago and referred myself to physios at work.   They massaged and did acupuncture as well as heat packs.  Also had excercises to do.  The radiotherapy has triggered this off again.

Can't do most of the  above now as I've had axillary node clearance and risk of lymphoedema.   Any advice would be grateful until I see them tomm for 3rd session.

Thanks

Gail xx 

I've had this on and off since lumpectomy and SNB and again quite a bit since radiotherapy.  I finished ladt Tuesday.

I csn't take Ibruprofen as I'm on blood thinners but worth taking them for inflammation.  I have been lying on the floor and stretching my arm upwards and have been using a heat pack.

Also standing in the shower with that on my shoulder.

It doesn't help that you're arm is in the position it is for a while. I started mine off again lifting shopping bags into the car.  It might be worth seeing the physio again.  

I get like a burning pain and when I rotate my shoulder I can feel it clicking. Feels a bit better now radiotherapy has finished.

Hope you get it sorted x

Hi Bluebell,

I've been using brufen, but that just takes the edge off it.  Can I use a heat pack after axillary node clearance with the risk of lymphoedema?   Thanks for your reply.

Gail xx

Hi , sorry you are having this on top of everything else. I think I read that heat pads are not a good idea after ANC, on the arm or shoulder. I don't have any other suggestions apart from the post op exercises but I'm guessing you're still doing them? I'm long post op (Oct) and finished rads in Jan but still do the exercises at least once a day, more if I can bear to. I find on work days, when I;m using my arm more and not thinking about being careful, I do sometimes end up with aches and pains, which make certain exercises harder.

I would definitely tell the rads team tomorrow - they may be able to adjust your arm positioning in some way to help the pain during the session, it's a long time to have to stay in one position and clearly isn't helping. What about asking to see a specialist physio? 

Good luck tomorrow, it's a shame this pain has all recurred, you must just want to get the rads over and done with without extra complications. Gentle hugs, HFxx

Hi I had a really sore back  initially during radiotherapy which felt like muscular or joint pain. It woke me up during the night. I took paracetamol which helped and mentioned to nurse who suggested pain was from radiotherapy radiating to back. I was also advised to use cream on area  over shoulder blade as well as skin was itchy and tender. Pain went after a day or two. I had full nodal clearance so acupuncture and heat pads were out.  Fingers crossed that your pain is short lived. Xxx

Hi again pmess, I've just read your profile as I realised I hadn't put your name in my posted reply to your back pain. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this awful journey yourself so soon after your husbands. It's a tough road . It might be worth asking for referral to some relaxation therapies  . I managed to fit in a few  which seemed to help. You haven't long to go now, I wish you all the best.!!Hugs Xxxx