Radiotherapy

Hi Biddygirl

Glad to hear you've started your radiotherapy.  I guess you are still sore from your lumpectomy?  The radiotherapy may cause some issues as you go through the treatment.  It depends how many you have.  I had 3 weeks (15 sessions) and it was at the end of the second week that I started to get burning and eventually my skin broke down.  I was using radiotherapy gel and I wish I hadn't put so much on under my breast as this is where the skin broke down.  It was obviously rubbed by the bra band. If I had known more then, I would have stopped putting gel under my breast half way through the second week..

The one BIG bit of advice I can offer you is to make sure you drink plenty.  Drink more than you ever think you would need.  They do advise this in the pack, but I am totally convinced that it makes a big difference to lethargy.  I went at the same time as 3 other ladies.  2 of us drank loads and were fine energy wise - the other 2 struggled to drink much and they really suffered from fatigue.

Don't be afraid to ask your radiotherapy team any questions, I am sure they will be only too pleased to offer advice.

There is also a radiotherapy thread on here for each month which you might want to join in and share your experiences as well as see what other ladies are finding that is helping. (may be a new one for December starting soon!)

Best Wishes, Lesley

Hi lesleyhelen. 

Thanks so much for your advice. I have just had my second session and I mentioned it to the lady. She said it's very unusual, but can happen. I'm having just 5 sessions of a higher dose. I do normally drink lots of water, but I will up it even more. 

Thanks again for the advice, I really appreciate it. 

Wishing you well..

Sanitary towel or panty liner under your breast of big busted can help with skin on skin burns and wetness there.  I was given special dressings but no you skin reacted to them so I improvised,  They worked so well.  I had early morning sessions for 3 weeks and found as it went on in the afternoon I needed to just sit and chill for a couple of hours.  

I am starting my radiotherapy on Monday and feeling a little anxious about it. Any tips you can give me. I will up my water in prep. 

Hi Maxwell3. 

It will be fine I'm sure. I too was anxious, but having number 3 today and feeling fine, just a bit pink, which apparently is unusual. The radiologist told me, it could be my sensitive skin. Lots of moisturiser and water. I do drink a lot of water anyway, but even more now. 

Good luck my lovely. 

I'm sure you'll be back here, telling us, it went well..

Take care.