i have had my surgery and have my follow up appointment 29/4/19 when can I expect to start the radiotherapy? And how will it be ? Can I work through it ?
Radiotherapy is generally ok, I can't see any reason why you cannot work through it. It does not take that much time and the side effects are ok. Keep moisturising the area. It all depends upon how easily it is for you to get there and back for the hospital. I can't say how long it will be after surgery as I had chemo in between.
Hello and welcome. Its lovely to meet you, although not so much under the circumstances you find yourself here.
Firstly, well done for getting through your surgery, that's no small feat and is a massive part of the treatment. I hope you are as well as can be, and are not too sore.
In terms of the questions you have asked about radiotherapy if you take a look at this link for information regarding radiotherapy and breast cancer it gives you information about the radiotherapy itself, and also you can find on there a link to the side effects that are common with radiotherapy.
Remember, every person is different, so treatment may be different for them. You may fly through radiotherapy, which I hope you do! But if you do struggle and dont feel able to work, then that's ok too. It's your body and you know it the best, so just do what your body tells you to, and listen when its telling you you're tired or anything else. In regards to how long from your surgery to when you start radiotherapy, in my mums case they have said that it will be at least 6-8 weeks post surgery, but this could differ from person to person, and could change with my mum also, as I think It depends a whole lot on how you heal, and how you're doing.
Either way, you've got through a huge hurdle, so well done and keep going. Keep smiling, and remember, you'll always have me and the lovely people on this community to talk to, any time you like, about anything. Even if you just want to vent, have a moment to let all your feelings out, anything, someone will always be here for you. And if you find you have any concerns, you can always use our 'Ask A Nurse' section.
Lots of love and light, and so many best wishes to you for your radiotherapy,
My radiotherapy started around 5-6 weeks after my op (lumpectomy and full node removal). Depending on what you do, you could work through it. The bind is having to turn up at the hospital each day which can take a chunk out of your day, depending on your commute. I felt generally OK through my RT but was really hit by fatigue after it, so just watch out for that and listen to your body.
