** APRIL & MAY 2021 BREAST CANCER RADIOTHERAPY **

Waddler67, good to have you in the group. 5 sessions will fly by I’m sure.  During your planning session they will run through everything with you and hopefully put you at ease. Side effects of radiotherapy definitely less than chemo, so I’m happy to have skipped that and tell myself this is the last bit of getting rid of cancer. So it will hopefully be worth it. 

Pickles86, that’s good you haven’t got far to travel, I’m hoping to drop every myself and hope the fatigue isn’t too bad. I thankfully was ok with breathing as I do yoga and think that has helped. I pretend I’m on the beach lying in the sun shine. I’m sure they have lots of people who struggle. a bit with the breathing and will be able to adopt. I will get some of the blue aveeno too..thanks for recommendation x

beatthebreast. Well done.. one down, 9 to go. How are you feeling. Ros x

I'm feeling like I haven't had anything done in all honesty. I'm working so am tired from the day but I'm still recovering from chemo and the lumpectomy so I am always tired in the evenings just now. Chemo is tough! I'm looking forward to next Friday when I'm through all the main treatment at last.

Good luck with your treatment, I hope it is plain sailing for you

Welcome all the newcomers here.  , ,.

please try not to worry about starting your rad. sessions.  It is not painful or unpleasant, just a bit uncomfortable as you have to lie in an odd position. My arms go numb from being above my head for a while, but soon return to normal when the session finishes.  I have now done 6 of 15 sessions, and skin is fine so far.  I am using aloe Vera gel in the morning after shower and again early evening when I get home from hospital.  But I was also told putting cream on doesn’t make any difference to whether you do or don’t get red skin!  I’m also drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated, but again no idea if this actually makes any difference.

you’ll probably find you get into the rhythm of the breath hold and it will get easier.

BeatthebreastI’m so impressed you worked through your chemo.  Apart from feeling rubbish, my brain seemed to turn to jelly during chemo, and coherent thought was barely possible.  You’ll sail through rads with that determination!

As Cyprusfavsays, think how the radiotherapy is zapping the cancer cells and killing them off!  And that has to be a positive!!  

Judith

Thank you Jejke. So grateful for your response. Wishing you all the very best. Xx 

Thanks Jejke! My brain was pretty mush for the first few days after chemo but forcing it to think seemed to fire it up again. I was like you with rads, arm went numb and also stiffened up but it soon disappeared. Keeping up those arm exercises helps.

That's a great tip about visualising being on a beach!, thanks! I will try that today. I also do yoga so thought the breathing practice from that would stand me in good stead, hopefully i'll start to get into the swing of it. I'm definitely holding a lot of anxiety and tension in my shoulders and neck and don't think that helps when lying on the table. The radiographers I've had the last few days have been amazing though and very supportive and we've got through it. 

I am going to try the visualisation today and hopefully that will help. 

Good luck with your treatment! Hope you like the Aveeno, I can't do without it! 

Nx

Thanks Jejke / Judith. Good to know i'm not the only one whose arm goes numb! It's always the right one as well, rather than the left which is on the treated side. 

In awe of you ladies trooping through and getting that chemo finished. Well done.

Good luck to all of you with the radiotherapy, sending best wishes to all xx

Hello Everyone

I wanted to come on and wish you all well in your treatment. And to tell you all to make sure you keep using your cream after you finish treatment. I completed 15 sessions to my breast, armpit and neck two weeks ago, and my skin held out. But two weeks on, I started to notice a couple of red patches on my neck/shoulder area, which are tender, but not painful. So if I can offer any advice, keep using your cream 2/3 times a day after treatment.

xxx