I’ve just had my lumpectomy after 6 x chemo sessions. Everything has gone to plan but it has been tough physically and mentally keeping positive. I now have to wait for my radiotherapy, I have no idea if it will be before or after Xmas which is very frustrating for a control freak like me. I’m starting to get to the end now of “aggressive” treatment and beginning to think of getting back to work and life after this. Is anyone else feeling anxious about this? How do you know when your body is a a good as it gets now?
Ruby x
Hello Ruby
I didn't have chemo as I didn't need it, but if it's any help, I had my lumpectomy at the end of July (2017) and my radiotherapy started at the end of September of the same year. I got the impression that a couple of months after the operation gives your breast time to heal from the surgery enough for the radiotherapy.
You have got through the hardest part and although I was very worried about radio. it was actually a lot easier than I expected. I had to do a 60 mile round trip to get to radio. and I was more than able to drive myself every session. I drank loads of fluids as they warned about the fatigue that can set in and this appears to help prevent it. I met another lady who barely drank anything and she suffered really badly with fatigue - even falling asleep at her desk at work. I also used creams a couple of more times than they recommended and I only had burns under my breast where the bra strap rubbed, so in hindsight, I wouldn't have creamed this area as much as the rest of my breast.
With regards to how do you know when your body is as good as it gets, I found that it was a year after radio. that my breast stopped hurting when I lifted something heavy (weekly shopping bags) - I did have 80mm taken out in my lumpectomy, so it might be longer the more you have removed, but I recovered well enough after the operation to be back driving 4 days after my operation and was back at work 2 days after my operation.
Naturally, we are all different . Age, chemo (probably one of the biggest factors) and personal make-up of the individual will make all our healing process different and I am sure you will know when you feel as if you are able to be back at work. I only get SSP as I work in the construction industry, so if I had received paid sick leave, then I may well have taken some more time off, but as I only sit at a desk, it was ok for me to go back to work and not use up my holiday allowance. It did surprise me how long it took for my breast to not ache after lifting - I was initially comparing healing times from the lumpectomy to a broken bone of 6-8 weeks and clearly it isn't anywhere near this!
If you radio. is after Christmas, enjoy your time off and make the most of the recovery time and the festive season 
Kindest wishes,
