Just want to say hi.

I couldn't manage the breath hold but have been reassured the radiotherapy team can shield your heart and lungs a different way, you are doing well.

I've been on anastrozole for 2 weeks with odd hot flush so far. I thought I'd seen the back of hot flushes after having them for 15 yrs after mastectomy in 2010 when I was told not to take hrt therapy so just did my best to cope with them.

Good luck unity57

Katrina.

Hi there, I'm starting radiotherapy on the 25th - the 5 day variety too. I've had my planning meeting very recently and can say don't worry about the breath holding.  They practice with you and it really wasn't awful I promise you.  In case it's useful, in my mind I start walking around my house and garden observing things, rather than counting.

I'm not starting anastrozole until after radiotherapy, so you're ahead of me there. I'd also like to hear some positive stories (if they exist!) as I'm not looking forward to it much.

I'm also thankful for fantastic care from the Breast Care Unit, not so impressed with the oncologist however...

Hi there, so sorry to meet you here! I'm afraid I can't help with the breath holding as although my radiotherapy was on the left side, the targeted area was not so close to my heart or lungs, so I was told that I could breathe normally. But if your radiotherapy is going to be delivered in a Linear Accelerator, I've blogged about it on this site and you may want to have a look to find out more. I too had 5 days of treatment

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../chestnuts-radiotherapy-tattoos-and-linear-accelerators 

It was far less scary for me than any of the other procedures I've been through and I hope it makes you feel a little less anxious. Wishing you all the best x

Thank you Katrina, that's reassuring.it's strange I suddenly felt a bit less anxiety after posting. 

I've not really shared any of this with anyone before but close family who are really supportive but so concerned I tend to not offload if I'm feeling a bit off.

Thanks again and hope all is going well for you XX 

Thank you Jo789. That helps enormously, you can't beat first hand experience although I wish we all didn't need/ have to. 

 My only criticism would be that my post op results were given to me by my Macmillan nurse..no consultant present and It sort of  was rushed..when I asked if the vascular invasion was also removed totally I didn't really get an full explanation of what it meant..still not sure. 

Everything I read about vascular invasion doesn't seem that positive. So stopped reading lol. 

Hope all goes well for you too xxxx

Thank you for the link Katherine.h.p. Most appreciated. My area may not be either now I come to think of it. I'll find out at the planning meeting I guess.  It certainly does make me feel less anxious reading your message. Thank you so much.

Hope things are better for you now ...Best wishes XX 

Hi

please don’t worry about the breath hold. The radiographers will practice with you.

Some people don’t have to do it anyway because of their anatomy.Your radiotherapy plan will be personalised for you and every effort will be made to minimise the dose to your heart and lungs.

I am an ex radiotherapy radiographer and have also finished 5 treatments to my  breast about 6 weeks ago.

My breast was pink and felt heavy and I was a bit tired but that’s all.

if I can help you with any other questions please ask x

Hi Exraygirl - can I ask how long the pink and heavy sensations lasted for?  Thanks.

Hi Exraygirl, glad to hear this!

I started my 5 day course of targeted radiotherapy about 2 weeks ago. So far my skin seems okay and I'm not sure I've begun to feel particularly tired. Wondering if you could give me an indication of when to expect the side effects kicking in? Thank you! x

Hi

It lasted about 8 or 9 days. It wasn’t painful but I was conscious of it if you know what I mean