To have the op or try alternative

Had a real shock today - 18 months after my diagnosis my sister phoned me to tell me that she has breast cancer. What is going on? There is no history of this rubbish disease in the family. Our poor brothers and dad are going to be devastated again. She has an 18 year old daughter and as you all know my sister is dreading telling her. I will support her all I can and she wants me to go to her next hospital appointment for the MRI results and final discussions about her op booked for 27th. 

I want be a good sister but I am dreading going through it with her.

My mum was diagnosed in the summer and I found going to appointments with her helped both of us, as I knew what was going on, and it reassured her that I could talk her through it in the car afterwards to explain that it was all normal process.

When she went to the GP with a lump, she thought that because they'd seen her quickly, that she had aggressive cancer and started to plan her funeral. I was able to reassure her what was normal. And although it was a different hospital, I knew what would be done and how.  

We'd discussed the various possibilities and agreed which treatment options she would be happy with.  

I hope that you are able to support your sister and that you both benefit from it.  I am sure her daughter will be fine, but get the treatment plan before discussing it, so that you have the answers to the questions she will have. 

Good luck to you all.

Hi .  There was no history of cancer in my family either, it just seems totally random. 

There is an online organisation for teenagers who have parents with cancer.  Please see the link and pass on the information to your sister, it might help her daughter. 

Judith xxx

http://www.riprap.org.uk 

Thank you Judith x

Hi Everyone

Update: So I have now had my first and second palliative radiotherapy sessions (fast track). Unfortunately after the first ‘pass’ of radiation, between myself and the radiation team I had to have a small break. I was having pain due to how the breast was ‘lying’. It didn’t help that I had not been made aware beforehand of a ‘bolus’ placed over the breast which although relatively light added to the ‘pressure’ on the boob. The pain came from below the breast on a lump below the crease line where some nodules are now appearing and red/pink in colour. I can tell you I had tears in my eyes when the first pass finished and they noticed it. I just knew I could not move at the time of the radiation as it would have gone into the wrong areas. I think this made the pain worse as prior to the first session, if this happened, I would always adjust my position – as anyone would.

I had to go to the GP for painkillers (Zapain) on Monday (3 December). She prescribed 30mg Zapain (codeine phosphate/Paracetamol) capsules. Can take up to 8 a day under medical supervision, over the counter preps are 8mg. When I showed her my boob she readily understood!!!! Said could get stronger meds (morphine based) if needed. Next day before the session I was actually due a dose of the Zapain but had been able, beforehand, to stretch this to 5 hours which would have included the radiotherapy time. During the 15 minute break I took the tablets, composed myself and was able to do the next bit. However it is clear that it is the ‘bolus’ which was the problem as I started to hurt again in one of the areas below the crease line. Told the radiographer as much.

Has anyone ever had a ‘bolus’ placed over their boob? Haven’t been able to find anything in peoples’ write-ups. Web says a bolus is a waxy tissue equivalent material (pad) placed on the skin surface to homogenize or modulate the range of the dose from external beams of radiation. Talked again yesterday with radiographer. They say it helps to level out the beam to the area they want to target. They also have to tape this pad down on the boob. They did it very lightly yesterday (11^th Dec – 2^nd session) but it still built up to a bit of pain by the time they did the first pass. They told me I am doing well but still causing pain! They also have to tape it down so that there is no air trapped! I don’t know if I am being given a load of hogwash on this!

Bought some Aloe Vera gel – maximum strength – from Dr Organics to put on. Saturday morning (8 Dec) I found something irritating my breast. It was a small congealed solid mass of the gel. It had caused one of my lesions to bleed with lymph stuff. Was easy to peel off. After showering noticed lymph seepage. I was able to put on a plaster which the hospital had given me although it isn’t quite big enough to cover all of the lesions and is said to come off easily without damaging skin. Can’t wear bras or soft tops as they put pressure on the boob and it starts to hurt. Stopped using Aloe. Also got saline phials and wipes from the hospital. Every week I have to see the Senior Radiotherapy Nurse! He replaced existing plaster after swab which caused more pain so have had to cut off a piece which he had placed on the boob like a ‘diamond’ rather than the ‘square’ I had done. 3 more radiotherapy sessions to go. 2 would have been 25 Dec and 1 Jan! These ones will be brought forward 1 day beforehand. 1 Jan (31 Dec 2018) will be the last one. CT Thorax Abdomen Pelvis booked for 30 Dec. Consult back with Oncologist 2 Jan 2019.

My boob is swollen from the radiotherapy as well. Ordered the R1/R2 creams and have just read that I cannot use them on open wounds. Maybe I can use it around these but since receipt of these have been told not to use them. On 11 Dec swab taken to check for infection. Will get results of that at my next radiotherapy session. One lump below breast but ABOVE crease line (mammary fold) really red and hurts – this is where some of the pain stems from.

Did anyone have a swollen boob after their radiotherapy? They say it has to get worse before it gets better!!!!!!

Health is fine though a little phlegmy. Cough gone just the phlegm left. Still taking the innohep for blood clot on lung – bruising minimal now that I have got the hang of it – you need to do the injection very slowly over about 20-30 seconds. I had been injecting it too quickly.

Love and virtual hugs to everyone

Sorry to hear you're having pain with RT It's not the most pleasant treatment but it clears up reasonably quickly once you finish (about a week for me).

I had a bolus for every treatment (25 over 5 weeks) but it was quite heavy and they just laid it over the area to be radiated. Mind you I'd had a mastectomy so it was lying reasonably flat - nowhere for air pockets lol. I was told the purpose of it was to intensify the dose near the skin. They are also used to even out the dose if a lumpy or uneven area is being irradiated (think nose lol). So I doubt you're being told hogwash - not that I'm the big expert lol. You could always ask in the Ask an Expert section - they've got a radiographer at the moment. 

Are the "plasters" Mepilex dressings? If not, kick up a fuss as they're what you need. I only had one small area, about the size of a pound coin, where the skin disintegrated due to skin on skin rubbing. It was very painful but once I got Mepilex dressings on it, no pain at all. The one I was given was Mepilex lite, which is for wounds that aren't oozing much. It's just like a very thin layer of foam but has a silicon coating so it adheres but doesn't stick. There are other Mepilex dressings for oozy wounds.

Hi i had a bolus  too mine was taped down I was always asked if I was allergic to tape first. I also had a mastectomy so was also flat i remember it being very cold but not too heavy. I was also told it was to boost the intensity of the rays and bring it nearer to skin and as my lump was just under skin it made sense  i was fine with it But did get a bit of very sore skin after i had read a bolus can add to sore skin but was never told this  hope this helps and you're a bit better soon xxx

Hi All

Thanks for the responses kacang and Optimistic.  Have received Allevyn Gentle Border plasters which are the same.  Have been given 2 sizes.  One covers the main area, the other will cover all.  However I find that the smaller one is better provided I put Savlon instead over the nodule just above the crease line.  This one hasn't broken out yet with bleeding or exuding lymph but had been rubbed/pressed upon the boob with the plaster being put on by the nurse in a diamond shape adhering to the body below it.  As with anything that gets irritated it gets inflamed and painful.  It sorted itself out when I applied the Savlon and no dressing.  I just hope it stays that way.  Plasters in themselves don't cause me any irritation.

Glad that other people have had the bolus.  I thought I was unusual!  Just never seen it mentioned by anyone on here nor is it in the literature I was given on radiotherapy treatment!

Ah well, we continue to learn more as we go along!!!!

Love and hugs to everyone

Big hugs , you are really having a tough time, and you are so brave xxx

Hi Chloecat …….haven`t heard much from you lately , just wondering how you are getting on …...Hope things are improving

Best wishes …..