Radiotherapy

Good morning Deeds.  Unfortunately we are all individuals and the Radiography consultants have their ideas of what works best.  I had to finish chemotherapy early as I had a huge reaction to docetaxel.  I waited about four weeks after my release from hospital (after the chemo reaction) until the radiotherapy which in my case was five sessions on consecutive days.  I had a preparation session where I was measured and 'marked up' to show exactly where the xray would be targeted. This took about 45 minutes.  The radiation treatments took about 20 minutes each time.  Before the radiotherapy started I had a bone (Dexa) scan.  This was a couple of days before the first radiotherapy appointment. It took about 20 minutes.   After the chemotherapy the radiotherapy was so easy.  I have had no reactions skin wise or had the huge fatigue that I was told to plan for.  I did and still do use the moisturising cream twice per day.

Good luck with your treatment.  Both of us are on the 'home straight' now and getting near to the end of treatment.  Won't that feel good? Take care and I am sending you a virtual hug. Hope it all goes well

Hello Thirds and thankyou  for sharing your story, sorry to hear you had a reaction to Docetaxel,  I had an infection with my first dose of it, second dose was fine but still had side effects that were  manageable with plenty of rest. Yes I'm so looking forward to finishing tomorrow.  I Hooe your doing well mentally, how are you physically.. I'm exhausted and get easily tired doing any kind of light housework and feel a terrible heaviness in my legs with aching back and hips..I do have backache normally and hip arthritis ,but I find since chemo it's 10 times worse. Big hugs to you too xx 

Hi, in my experience, i had an appointment with radiotherapy three weeks after my last chemo session. I didnt have any treatment on first appointment as it was to take measurements and give infomation about treatment. I cant say it will be the same for you as i guess it depends on what your doctor says. 

Thankyou littehippo, I was chatting with my BC nurse yesterday,  she said the same, appointment with RT about 3 weeks after chemo for scan then a further 3 to 4 weeks for treatment.  How did you get on with it, did you have any side effects and are you all finished now..xx

Hope your last chemo went well?  Hopefully you are on the last bit now.  I live alone and although my children are very supportive they live a long way away and my son suffers with depression, so I had to tread carefully there.  The cancer diagnosis was out of the blue and hit hard.  I decided early on to try to enjoy each day as it comes and to think each day of three things that had gone well.  I have gone out for a walk with my dogs every day even when I have not felt like it and that has helped.  Physically, like you, I continue to tire easily and cannot do all that I used to do.  I have to take Letrazole for the next 5-7 years and that has given me aches in my muscles and bones.  I am a bit stiff when I wake up but I get on with getting ready for my walk and that helps.  It is only three months since I started on the Letrozole so I hope things don't get any worse.  I have used the tiredness as a reason to do less housework (not keen on it anyway), and as I am on my own I have complete freedom to eat and sleep when I want to etc.  I know that I am very fortunate. I don't know your circumstances but I am just getting the most that I can out of each day.  Do not be fearful of the radiotherapy.  I really think that you will find that the worst is behind you now.  Take care and I do hope that your aches and pains will improve, it is early days yet. When your body says that it is tired, rest. Sending you a hug and hoping that you will find the radiotherapy easier than the chemo.  Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the reply, I live with my husband , eldest daughter age 24 is out on her own, son 22 is home from Uni now since last July, and my youngest is 7vyears old lol. Yes I have said from the start and the breast care nurse also told my husband to make sure I got plenty of rest and everything else was to be put on the back-burner till this was all over with..I was diagnosed on the 13th August whilst on holidays from work, and was signed off work on the 5th September by Drs as I would be high risk where I work. My daughter comes and cleans up for me when she can and my husband and son also help with the washing and cooking. I get plenty of rest too. I do a little cleaning as I tire easily, when my youngest is at school I stay in bed and get plenty of rest, especially after chemo, my sister is very good to me too as she takes her for a sleepover at her house every other weekend, she's actually going today. I think your right the worst is over now, I got to ring the bell after my chemo yesterday,  it was very emotional.  Oncologist said I'll have word to go for a scan in about 3 weeks time then they'll let me know how many sessions I'll need. Big hug from me to you too, hope the letrozol settles for you too and those aches go away..I must get out walking again.xx

Hi Deeds

As with everything else, I've come to learn that everyone's experience is certainly completely different - mainly dependent on which Hospital you're under! 

I start Radiotherapy on Tues 19th, which will be 11 weeks since Chemo finished. I asked if I would be having a scan prior to the start of Radiotherapy, but was told that "a scan isn't offered as routine at this Hospital". 

I hope your experience is a little more 'timely'. x 

I just finished chemo yesterday,  got a call from BC nurse to tell me I'm referred now for radiotherapy,  I have an appointment for Monday 25th at the radiotherapy clinic and will find out what they are doing then and I'm definitely getting a scan of some sort. I'll let yous know.. told that it should start middle to end if May..xx

Glad you have been given a prompt initial Radiotherapy Appointment! That certainly seems promising! And also glad to hear you're having a scan first - I personally think this should be 'standard practice' following Chemo! Would certainly have put my mind at rest! 

My first 'annual' Mammogram is supposed to be in July - I don't think my mind will be at rest until I see the results of that! 

Take care and keep in touch x x 

So glad that you have a supportive family around you.  My attitude is that the housework will still be there tomorrow and even if I do it I will need to do it again, so spending time with the ones that you love and that love you and taking care of yourself while you get better are the most important things at present.  See that you have an initial appointment now.  The waiting is one of the worst bits and we all want to know what happens next, don't we? All the best for that appointment.  There is nothing scary about it and the radiographers are so kind and helpful.  Hope you and your family are having a lovely Easter.  Not long now until it will be over.  I thought of each radiotherapy treatment as a step along the road to recovery.  I made a list of the appointments and crossed them off as they came.  A bit childish I know but it made me feel better.  Keep in touch and let us know how it all goes. Take care.  The worst is over now.  Sending you a hug.