Radiotherapy and scared

Hi @Mel174.  It's over 5 years since I had rads and then it was the old standard of 15 days over 3 weeks.  I assume you've had your planning sessions so have seen the unit.   At my first sessions they gave me my appointments for the the full course so I could plan.  I only lived a 20 minute walk or short drive away from the hospital so I had early morning appointments as they try to keep later ones for people who have further to travel.  I tended to be 7.45 - 8.30am and they ran to time and it took less than 10 minutes!  

On day 1 they gave me a short cape to wear (the type you get in BC unit) and there are changing rooms there so you arrive, change into cape and take seat.  This means when you go in to the rads room it's literaly top off, lie on table.  They do some setting up and then leave the room while the machine runs.  They will talk to you throughout and it's a painless process.  There were pictures on the celing to look at and music on.  Then once done cape back on and back to changing room and you leave.

You should keep hydrated so over next few weeks so drink plenty of water.  Have your unit recommended /prescribed creams?  I was told to use E45 & Pure Aloe Vera (H&B) daily.  I used the E45 the week before so skin in good condition then after each session.  I kept my aloe vera in the fridge to apply cold to my boob to take heat out of it.  My skin held up really well aside from breaking down underneath the breast - I have G cup boobs and this is very common.  They gave me special dressings for this but I preferred a panty liner to keep skin dry and stop bra touching.

Bras - I bought post surgery bra from Debenhams as they are so soft inside and no wires.  I normally wear underwired bras to hold them up but I didn't want any pressure there.  I bought a back size bigger too but you can put bra extenders (99p ebay) on current bras if you have any non wired ones.  

I know it's an overwhelming time but you are getting there xx

 HiMel174

I think Grogg has covered most details .The procedure for me was exactly the same as descibed. I was advised to shower daily and to stand with my back to it.Do not rub dry but pat gently.I too used moisturiser (non perfumed) the week before my treatment. My unit provided Epaderm cream which was very good and easy to use (Practice nurse has since put it on repeat prescription for me)You should continue to do the exercises during and after the radiotherapy to keep good shoulder movement .It seems each unit has there own favourite cream etc so be guided by them.Like Grogg I developed a sore area underneath the breast (F-G cup) but this was cleared by cream prescibed by  GP. Other than that I had no real problems -I did put a soft cotton hankie folded in half between bottom of breast and bra to prevent friction, didn't think of a panty liner!! Iused cotton bra with an extender for most of the time but went braless at home with just cotton vest when that was more comfotable

If you can prepare meals in advance and freeze them that might help other than that be kind to yourself and go simple! You will cope with the treatment and it is no where near as bad as you are thinking at the moment.I am now 6 weeks post my radiotherapy and back to normal except for continuing with the exercises and moisturising.Sending hugs xx

Thank you for your responses, my unit have not recommended any creams, they said they will give me some on the first day. 
unfortunately the unit is not close so a 45 min -1 hr drive each way, plus trying to work in the mornings, it is all stressing me out. Do you think working at the same time is do able? Work have not been helpful at all!

Hi Mel174,  Your journey time on top of the treatment /preparation time will lose you a chunk of the day. As to whether work is doable it does depend on what you do ,of course.Sorry to here that your work is not being helpful- my sister in law worked part time while she had her Radiotherapy but she lived close to the unit. I suppose you will only know when you try it. I am retired so work was not a problem for me.

Hopefully others will be of more help on this. In the meantime I would use a non perfumed moisturiser that you already use or try E45 that @Grogg used- not a must of course just a suggestion that seemed to work for us! I hope you sail through your treatment without any problems.Hugs  Kwissy

Sorry work not supportive.  Ring the Macmillan helpline as every cancer patient is covered for life by disability discrimination act and work have to make reasonable adjustment for you .  Not sure how far work is for you .  I chose not to torn but I worked local authority so had paid sick leave.  You have 1 week treatment- I had 3 so impact different .  They will advise you of your rights x

Hi I’ve had 2 of 5 sessions so far, no problems at all - no tiredness, soreness or anything. Maybe early days or maybe I’m lucky. Not used anything on my skin, just had lluke warm showers. 

Hi Mel174, I had my rads in December last year, 15 sessions, I worked throughout even though my employers were extremely flexible and offered time off if needed, so sorry your work is not supportive of what you are going through. My treatment was a good drive away too and as a non driver I had a rota of people who took it in turns to take me. The treatment itself was fine, I was petrified but hardest part was holding breath and hoping you didn’t sneeze. I was given a huge tub of cream at the unit on day one to use each day and some pads to relieve some itching I experienced to the area in the second week. It is important to clean thoroughly each day but gently, I did get a build up of moisturiser which left my skin looking black but gentle exfoliation with a babies hairbrush soon sorted that. I did get a bit tired but on the whole no after effects from the rads, keep in touch so we know how you are getting on, huge hugs xx Anne 

Hi i have now had 2 sessions, so glad its now the weekend i am so tired. The journey each way has been long and very busy driving. I also seem to have small blisters appearing on the scar, i had a starfish mammoplasty so scar is quite large. Am using Aveeno which they told me was a good cream.

But on the upside that means i only have 7 more left, whatever i will do this, and get through it.

I just wanted to update you all as you had all been so supportive.Thank you

Hello Mel174

Thank you for updating us and hope you are able to take life easy this week end. I had small blisters develop on my scar line  (but only lumpectomy and sentinel node) I don't know how often you are using the Aveeno cream but I was advised at this stage to apply my cream 4 times a day and this did prevent the blisters from breaking down  and stopped the itch too.Be sure to ask your radiographers their advice when you see them on  Monday as they are the experts for your scar line.

Take care of yourself and rest as much as you feel you need to. Sending gentle hugs xx

Hi mel!  I had fast track radiotherapy just about a month ago, it's painless and quite quick, tho my arm did kind of ache a bit having to have it raised for the zapping, but really it's ok!  My boob felt very warm to touch afterwards but that's all And being fast track is over very quickly ! I was tried for a few weeks afterwards, but with a nap in the afternoons and lazy days it's fine , the tiredess does bug me a bit but it's getting less now and d on't forget to apply your creams too.     The whole cancer thing is a huge shock, I'm 55 and have a whole lot of living to be done, but that's what makes all the surgeries , radioterapy, infusions and drugs worthwhile, in 6 months time we 'll be back to our old selves again , if a little lopsided boobwise!!

Nighty night xxxxxxxx