Do I belong in here

Hi, we all have bad days so please don’t be sorry

i was diagnosed in February with invasive ductal carcinoma, I had a WLE and mammoplasty followed by 10 sessions of Radiotherapy. The last 5 is what they call a Boost.

I was very nervous before starting the radiotherapy, but if I am honest, it’s not as horrifying as you think. The staff are fantastic and make you feel so at ease. Make sure you follow their instructions, and you will be ok. I had no redness or burns, just a few sharp shooting pains a few weeks after.

I was on auto pilot until session 7 of the radiotherapy, and then the tears came. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and we all cope in different ways.

Good luck, and stay in touch on here, I have found it a massive help at some of my lowest times.

Mummaheart I think the simple answer is YES you do belong here! You have had a Breast Cancer diagnosis/treatment! Think that is enough to get you a free ticket into this not so glorious club! 

As for comparing ‘journeys’ DON’T! Everyone has their own unique Cancer journey. For some it’s over in a few weeks, others a few months and some of us get a life long ticket. Whichever journey you are on you will always be welcome here and you can say anything you want without ever being judged! This site is a safe place away from your family and close friends, a place where you are allowed to be honest about how YOU feel, without worrying about upsetting anyone else! 

Cancer and it’s treatment IS scary! Because you are entering the unknown! I can say Radiotherapy is okay and that you’ll be fine. But I don’t know you and you may find it tougher than I did. You might need to cry or you might laugh your way through it, either of which is fine….but stay still while they actually zap you I went through many emotions during my Radiotherapy, although mine was 8 years ago and at that time I had to go for over 30sessions! It was tough, but I got through it. You will too. Then you will be another step closer to the finishing line! 

Just remember, even when the active treatment is over life might not go back to exactly how it was before Cancer. So allow yourself time to process all the crap you have been through. If you find you are struggling ASK for HELP! Don’t try and cope on your own! It’s okay to not be okay, I promise you we’ve all been there!

REMEMBER this site will ALWAYS be here for you. EVERYONE is welcome here. 

Sending a ((((hug)))) and positive vibes your way! Good Luck with your Radiotherapy, I’m sure you’ll do great. Take care Hun. Sal xx

Hi, everyone with a cancer diagnosis, no matter what grade or stage or whatever, belongs here.  We all have different experiences in some ways, but in other ways we are so very similar.

My experience of radiotherapy was that the radiotherapy itself was pretty simple. It was only a 10-15 min appointment and I didn't feel anything at all from it. You lie on a bed with a big laser light thing that hovers around you but you don't feel anything. A good tip is to wear a vest top, so you can change and slip off your shirt and bra, walk into the room with the vest top on and then slip down the straps when they are ready to start. More dignified than a gown.

What is important is to moisturise very day afterwards, to keep the skin from becoming itchy or irritated.

i hope this helps, and if you want to see a bit more of my journey, check out my blog Blog post here

best wishes 

You are going to be fine, after your first session you will say to yourself is that it, it is over that quick. Tip: moisturise - moisturise  

Hi Mummaheart; I had a similar diagnosis in January, so a little ahead of you.  I finished radiotherapy a month or so ago and have been taking Anastrozole for three months.  I know what you mean about not knowing whether you belong here or not; I've often thought the same thing.  I had 5 sessions of RT, and had no significant side effects from that, or the Anastrozole.  I've had bad days, and the felt I shouldn't, given that others here have dealt/are dealing with much more than I have.  

Hi Mummaheart, lovely replies already from the fantastic folk here, just wanted to add a big ‘Yes you belong!!’ As has been said, we all have different experiences but we all support each other, regardless of whose case was ‘worse’ or ‘better’. None of us asked to get cancer! 
Although you’re still having treatment, as indeed am I as I’m on hormone ‘treatment’ (Anastrozole) but my ‘active’ treatment has finished, you might find this article useful. I return to it from time to time and it’s helped me continue to process what’s happened to me in the last few years. I’ll hopefully add the link. 

www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/.../After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Wishing you well and sending a big virtual hug your way, HFxx