I start my week of Radiotherapy on Thursday and to be honest I don't know what to expect. I guess everyone is different, I was just wondering if anyone had any hints or tips for it.
I had invasive ductal carcinoma ( picked up at routine mammogram) diagnosed late June ( I am 70 years old btw j and I had my surgery in July. Tumour removed and lymph node clearance . My radiotherapy was over 5 days in September. My tumour was in the left breast so I had to do the breath hold technique to protect my heart ( not required if in the right breast ) . I am claustrophobic but as the scanner machine used for the initial measuring and preparation was a ‘ donut ‘ style I managed very well. I was advised to do the exercises regular in preparation for the positions you have to lie in for the radiotherapy. I was very strict with myself and did these as soon as I could after surgery. I practiced and practiced the breath hold and it really paid off . I am on Letrozole for 10 years now and I also have to take bisphosponates for 3 years ( due to my age ) .
the experience of the radiotherapy is bearable and I knew I had to do it and I had my mind set that it was killing any stray cancer cells . The staff were lovely, very sympathetic to my anxiety with the machine ( not anywhere near as bad as I imagined ) . I had male and female radiologists but I was ok with this . I wish you luck with the radiotherapy. Please do not be anxious about it . Imagination is the craziest thing . take care
I think the experience can be very different for people who have gone through chemo and those that haven't. My experience of radiotherapy was that it was a doddle, but I was still recovering from chemo so already felt very tired out - the radiotherapy on top made little difference.
I found my arm stiffened up again so keep doing your exercises.
Radiotherapy peaks at 2 weeks AFTER you stop treatment and your cells should recover within 6 weeks. You can feel tired out in that time as your body heals.
I used Aveeno moisturiser which helped to keep the skin from drying out, which in turn stops you itching it and causing issues, but my radiologist said it makes no difference to whether you will get a skin reaction - if you do, they will give you some cream for it.
The procedure itself is painless, though if you still have a stiff arm like i did, then it can be a little uncomfortable by the end of the few mins you're in the position for. It's why they drum it into you to be diligent about the exercises prior to radiotherapy - you have to be able to comfortably have your arms above your head.
I found the whole experience absolutely fine. A lot of places do the compressed timescales now rather than weeks of radiotherapy like they used to - that means you end up being less tired as it is tiring having daily sessions with the travelling and disruption.
The actual treatment is usually quick. You will need to lie down in the same position as you were for your CT planning scan.The radiographers will take time to make sure you are straight and level and line up your marks. You may have to do the breath hold if you had that technique for your CT.
When the radiographers are happy with your position and the machine is in the correct position they will leave the room. They can see you on the cctv and will talk to you over the intercom.
They will take a couple of X-ray pictures to check your position and they may adjust the treatment couch from outside the room if the need to. When they are happy the radiation beam is activated. You don’t feel or see anything. You may hear a beeping noise. They usually treat from several angles so will see the machine moving around you but nothing will touch you.
it can be cold in the treatment room so you might want to wear woolly socks!
Moisturise after treatment with whatever your department recommends.
You will get a pink skin like mild sunburn but this might not develop until after you finish if you are only having 5 treatments.
