••• June BC Radiotherapy Club 2020 •••

Hello everyone, I'm about to start RT mid June. I have been given 8 working days of it. I wasn't even aware of the shorter vs longer 15 days of RT until I came across this group. If anyone can give me any tips on how to get through it then that would be fab. 

Sorry but I'm new to the group. Can someone please tell me what FF and R1 and R2 mean?

Thanks

Hi Jostar

Warm welcome to the Rads discussion.

FF it the Fast Forward method of delivering the rads to keep hopsital visits down to 5 days instead of the usual 15 while this Covid is still around.  See the image above   Are yours 5 days + 3 boost sessions ?

R1 & R2 are gels that can be used for radiotherapy instead of standard creams offered - but as these are pre-packaged for the 15 daily sessions regime it is a bit pointless getting them for just the 5 days.

Hope this is of some help, stay safe, G n' J

Hi Dedalus,

Sorry but can’t answer all of your questions as I am not a specialist. Best ask your consultant on most. 
I am just about finished 15 radiotherapy treatments.

I was told to keep well hydrated but within normal healthy limits, meaning don’t let yourself become under hydrated.

I decided not to wear a bra during the entire 15 +days of treatment - just a vest top. I wasn’t told this but just thought it best. Then it means that nothing rubs on the affected skin and also keeps  it cool and more open to air circulation especially in this heat. It was suggested to me not to wear a new bra and now I know why - not even a white vest top!! Reason being is that the radiographers use a pen to draw dots/dashes on your skin to help line up the treatment. This can be blue red or black. Of course the day I wore a new white vest top they used red pen and now it’s got pink marks on it. So if your wife wants to wear a bra I recommend she doesn’t wear her best. 
I didn’t get R1 or R2 and so far I have been ok. The dept gave name zero base to keep area moisturised but said to use it lightly.

My treatment is on my left side so before each zap I have to take a deep breath and hold it for 20-25 seconds- this moves your heart out of the way. So breath holding practise is recommended.

My nodes came back as negative but due to my breast pathology results it was recommended to me that my nodes were treated with radiotherapy. I may be wrong but my feeling is that they won’t do ANC unless it is really necessary and I believe this can cause discomfort and more risk of lymphodema.

Hope this helps,

Jojodot X

Thanks Jojodot

All very useful tips and info.

D x

Hi Silverberg, yes I know the effects can carry on for a while, but I’ll just be so glad to have got through that I can deal with them. 

Dreamthief

Thanks for the R1 R2 explanation.

D

Hi Dedalus,

  I finished my FAST-Forward course on the 18 th of last month.

   I didn't wear a bra during the treatment course time only a light cotton vest top.I used E45 spray moisturizer regularly.The 2  scar tissue lines are still perfect,a slight reddening has developed on the breast over the last few days,it felt warm,more like wind burn originally,but only for a very short period.The area must be protected from the sun so I have been wearing layers and a folded piece of kitchen roll as this stays in place nicely under the bra.Sunscreen must not be used.If your wife asks the radiographers they can point out how high on her chest wall needs the special treatment.

    I kept well hydrated.

    I had three dot tattoos for the machine to align to which was calibrated by my MRI and mammogram.

     I didn't have to breath hold as not left sided but would advise it is practiced as one patient in front of my treatment had major problems and could only get to six,then 8 etc til they got to 14 max.

    The Lancet May 23rd has comparative results of the FAST -Forward trial and makes great reading.I was very happy to have been able to have had this treatment.

   Best wishes,

   Yviex

Forgot to say staying hydrated helps clear the breakdown products of cell death caused by the radiation.Not to mention the current heatwave causing fluid loss!

Wow, yes thank you that has really helped.

Also yes, I have 5 days of radiotherapy plus 3 days booster. 

I wasn't given a choice just told so wasn't aware of the time schedules For RT. 

2 worries, 1...will it be as effective, 2....if the doses are greater or stronger then will it lead to higher risks of side affects?

Thank you once again... Xx