Radiotherapy

I had 5 sessions last summer.  It doesnt hurt at all, but make sure you can lie with your arms above your head for 5 mins or so.  A few exercises to loosen up your shoulders won't go amiss. The staff at my hospital were lovely, but there's no room for shyness in getting your boobs out for both female and male staff lol.

Drink plenty of water, and religiously apply the gel they should give you at the hospital.  I got 2 tubes of flamigel from the hospital which I used 3 times per day. I then started buying organic aloe vera gel and using twice per day. I still use it each morning, as my boob can still feel a bit warm, 9 months on.  But I haven't had any soreness at all, just a bit pink for a while.

Towards the end of my sessions I started to feel really tired. I worked throughout it all, but in hindsight I should have taken a week or two off to rest, as the tiredness dragged on quite a bit. I was 65 at the time, for reference.

Hope all goes well xxx

You will be given a gown, but I found it easier to wear a crop top. I put the straps under my arms but stayed covered while walking to the table and then pushed it down to my waist while the treatment was done. Once it was finished I pulled it back up while getting off the table. x 

Thank you for your reply. Sounds all positive  I will look for the aloe Vera gel    chemo  fatigue   is bad so hopefully  radiotherapy  won't be so bad  xx 

Thank you for your reply. I will take that on board.   X. Hope you are well

Im 64.     Hope you are  well

Hi, yes I am really well thank you, had my 1st year mammogram and all fine. Although I never felt unwell before or throughout, just a bit tired after the RT x

So glad to here positive news.  Keep happy  

Radiotherapy is targeted so for instance whilst mine was breast and nodules, there was anomolies found one under the collar bone - which could not be operated and so RT was used.  Those areas are targeted for RT which I had daily for 4 weeks.  I was not given any cream or gel by the hospital but it was suggested I use something like Avena

Whilst the RT itself is not a problem, you lie there and they do all the work, I would have to say the after affects for me were the major problem.  Where my surgery had healed extremely well, the RT (I was later told had infected my body) distorted the breast, the scar and nipple, neither of which have gone back to normal.  I finished the RT end of September 2024 which tired me out (usually a hyper active person) and followed up with three bouts of flu and heavy bronchitis  taking me up to end April 2025.  I still even now, if feeling a little under the weather, or if I have a glass or two of wine, get a taste and smell of burning.

With Chemo - which was savage - I was told what to expect, so I grouped together videos, books and blankets for the settee on days I might just fall asleep.  With RT I was given no expectations or advice.  Sorry mine is not positive, but felt you need both sides.

Thank  you  i agree about both sides.  I im going on Friday  I will learn more from the nurses and I be asking lots of questions   x

I think procedures vary by hospital. I wasn’t given a gown, just a bit of paper towel to put in front of me as I walked across the room. Also not given any gels or creams, but I bought a large dispenser of the blue labelled Aveeno and that worked really well. I had the 5 day protocol. I could have slept for England for a few weeks afterwards (although that might have also been due to a liver ablation I had a couple of weeks after radiotherapy). No redness at the time but I came out with what looked like really bad sunburn, which peeled through a few layers, 6-8 weeks after treatment.