**AUGUST RADIOTHERAPY CHAT 2019 **

Hi All

I use to do Air Cadets, the cadets use to say they got " camp come down". They had week long camps on RAF bases. Every hour of the day was busy and exciting. It doesn't get better than helping to polish a Red Arrow. When they got home life seemed very dull. 

This how I felt after my treatment finished last time. On top of that it's like you are suddenly on your own. I know they say get in touch if you have any problems but it's not really the same as having people to speak to regularly. I had five years of contact a luxury we don't get now. I always say they cut the cancer out of my breast but not out of my head. At least with this forum we are never really alone.

I'm at st James's in Leeds for rads we will be doing a trial run this week so I know where I'm going. That's another thing this does. I use to set off all over the country with just a map. I never imagined I'd ever need trail runs. 

I'd rather be polishing a Red Arrow.

Hi SIlverberg.    I had the breathing technique two years ago I was 72 at the time the cancer was in my right breast, I am so sorry your hostpital do this only for the under 60s I think it’s a disgrace and everybody deserves to have it done, I did find it hard to hold my breath sometimes but gradually got used to it. Good luck.

Hello Mrs Marvel - hope you’re managing to keep your head in a good place. sorry been off line for couple days - wasn’t good for most of weekend unfortunately looks like my treatments going to aggravate my Fibromyalgia - had one of my worst ‘flare ups’ a had to resort to the dreaded ‘tramadol’ which I only take as an absolute last resort - can’t function or stay awake when I take them so take myself off to bed for usually about 48hrs.  Had to be at Lincoln for 8.30 this morning for 3rd session so was up at 5.30!!!   Timed how long treatment took and it was max of 5 mins - back home by 10ish totally exhausted and needed go bed for couple hours. Got my breathing right first time today for both ‘blasts’ so was pretty chuffed with that.

Very  thoughtful of you to offer help with journey - unfortunately my appointment on Wednesday is 3.30 - but thank you for the offer.  I hope your Oncologist appointment goes well - I was in and oubefore I’d even got comfy on my chair - not really sure what appointment was for actually cos I’d already been told everything he told me - he could have done it with a phone call really - save me one journey.

I'm reading here, but my radiotherapy treatment is only looming in the future.

But may I ask those who had radiotherapy after chemo: How soon after the last chemo session does radiotherapy usually start?

Morning Nanny Frog,

I am so sorry to hear you had such a bad weekend, as if the BC and radiotherapy isn’t enough! All I can say is you must be an incredibly strong woman to be doing all this. Well done you and sending positive thoughts and wishes,

How did your session go today?

I hope the oncologist is going to at least discuss me going on Tamoxifen and I will be asking him about my pathology report.

Well done for getting your breathing right! I still practice holding it in for 30 seconds when I do my exercises. Hopefully it’s going to help!

Take care and we’re all here for you xxxxxxx

Hello all, 

I am going to be joining you all next month but thought i would say hello now and ask if anyone here has had radiotherapy to breast, lymph area, clavicle area AND mid rib area.  Every time i see my oncologist it seems the goalposts move and they are adding yet another bit - i figure why not just shove me on the barbecue and be done!

As you can imagine i am somewhat peeing my pants at that amount of radio - it will be for 15 days everywhere and then 8 more days targeted specifically at the lumpectomy site.  Any advice much appreciated and also wanted to ask about tiredness.  I'm sure its all very individual but are we talking 'can't get out of bed at all' tiredness for anyone? i need to know if i need to just cancel everything or if its likely that i can still do some stuff?

Your posts are inspiring as everyone seems to be getting through it no matter what crappy SE, so i am mentally steeling myself and following your examples!

xxxx

Hi Miss

Don't cancel anything!

How tired you feel depends on soooooo many variables it is impossible to predict.

I did 20 , twelve years ago and although I wasn't working I was good. It was a good summer so came home, had lunch, then had a nap in the garden. But I've napped in the garden since birth!

Hospital appointments are tiring full stop. Waiting around, incoming chairs, boredom etc. Then there's the journey, is it 20 minutes there and back or a three hour round trip. 

Hate to say it but age has to be a factor, I could run round all day after my two kids, now after a day of grandchildren I'm shattered.

So really how tired is like how long is a piece of string, don't talk yourself into a side effect you may not get. Many women work through treatment.

Oh I forgot mental attitude!

So keep doing what you can, you might have to shift stuff because of appointment times but anything else you should be fine. I have found in the past if you have to cancel at short notice if you say why most people are very understanding.

I expect to start mine soon, so keep in touch.

I agree, don't cancel anything unless it interferes with an appointment. I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which spanned Christmas and never missed a mince pie. Had a few power naps on the sofa but was really very well. Another tip is lots of moisturiser to the zapped area. Mine product of choice was Avenno but be guided by your team as they all have their preferences.

Good luck Miss Wolfie you got this!

Angela x

Miss Wolfie just like said don’t cancel anything. 

While I was having my radiotherapy my daughter who lives 50 miles away had my first granddaughter. I had 3 days where I drove the 100 mile round trip, as well as nights awake while she was in labour. I worried I would get over tired but I didn’t. In fact my energy started coming back while I had radiotherapy and 8 weeks in on never had so much. 

Everyone is different, good luck xxx 

Thanks so much Earwig, Silverberg and Scriptfan - so comforting to know that things can carry on as normal - i do wonder if it's to do with how large an area you are getting radio-ed though?  Has anyone had large areas done?

i'm really hoping the hospital i get therapy at will be the one thats a 10 minute walk away  - although otherwise its only about 40 mins to the other option. 

love and hugs to all you lovelies!