Radiotherapy

Hi Steph T (sorry the tagging isn't working!)

I didn't have the 5 days, I had mine over the 15 sessions (it was about 3.5 years ago), however, I also had left breast cancer and I couldn't do the breathe technique due to having lost an elbow in a road accident when I was younger - which meant they couldn't position me to do the breathe technique.  I too was worried about heart issues but they mention this to everyone with left sided radiotherapy.  I was told not to worry by the radio team, as all it meant was they had to do more calculations, it just meant more work for them and I wasn't to be concerned.

They were correct.  They sometimes took longer to position me - sometimes coming back into the room because they were unhappy with my position and retrying but I have had no issues with my heart at all.  

Cream wise, a gel seems to be really good.  Try an Aloe Vera gel.  I used something similar which was specifically sold as a radiotherapy gel and cost £25 a pot plus delivery, but it really was just the same as an Aloe Vera gel (it probably was even Aloe Vera for all I know and I just spent £75 on 3 pots of it!!!).  Or ask your doctor for R1 & R2 radiotherapy gel.   (I've heard that often they won't prescribe them though, so I didn't even bother asking mine).

Hope this helps put your mind at rest,

Lesley x

Hi Lesley thank you for your reply. It is really helpful. 
At what point do you begin to feel tired or should you rest from the first session. Thank you take care xx

Hi Steph T,  I personally didn't get fatigued.  However, they tell you to drink plenty of fluid to avoid fatigue and I think that made all the difference.  I went at the same time each day and I met 3 other ladies at this time.  2 suffered really badly with fatigue and they said they weren't drinking very much.  One lady fell asleep at work!  But then she said (bearing in mind it was 4pm we met) that she'd had 2 cups of tea so far that day.  I personally drank pints of squash and lots of green/black  tea and treated myself to a large coffee from the hospital coffee shop on the way home etc.

The only side effect I had was a burn under my breast where the bra band went (in hindsight, I would have stopped creaming that area after I was 50% through as it was the cream that rubbed against the band I think.)  It was very painful, but cleared up pretty quickly when left open to the air and no bra when I was at home.  Yours will obviously be different, being 5 sessions instead of the 15 I had.

I think you just need to listen to your own body and if you feel tired you will rest.  I know the lady that was fatigued, it was a gradual thing that came on (she was 15 sessions too), but in the radio team's advice leaflet they said drink lots and I am pretty convinced this made ALL the difference. I always drink lots of fluids anyway, but I just upped my intake during the 3 weeks and felt perfectly normal.  Go through their leaflet and follow their advice (it might be slightly different being less but more powerful sessions) and hopefully you too will find it ok

All the best, Lesley x

Thank you again Lesley. Xx

Hi, I had the 5 day quick start sessions in June last year and it was certainly easier to cope with than the 25 sessions I had 22 years ago! I increased my fluid levels this time as advised and the fatigue was very , very minimal as were the side effects! Only had the skin going pink like sunburn this time( breakdown of skin years ago) . I used the moisturiser supplied by my unit frequently ( Epaderm ) - at least 4 times a day and found it very good. Follow the advice from your unit and you will come through it all - it takes longer to position you than to have the treatment ! Sending you good wishes and hugs . Kwissy 

Thank you for the advice. Take care & sending you hugs & good wishes. Xx