*** DECEMBER 2021 to MARCH 2022 BREAST CANCER RADIOTHERAPY **

I'm going for my planning scan on Wednesday. Were you given your dates for radiotherapy to start at that scan?

Hi Jacala, I had my planning scan yesterday and they gave me the start date, which is in 2 weeks time x 

Glad you’ve got a start date now LalaLou. Are you doing 5 days? Hope you’re ok, Mickey xx️

Hi Mickey, I'm doing ok thanks, and pleased to have a start date for radiotherapy. The planning session was ok and lasted just under an hour. They did lots of measuring and took a CT scan, plus put the small tattoo dots on which are  tiny and barely noticeable. The CT scan picked up a small post-op seroma but they said that this won't effect the radiotherapy schedule but they will keep an eye on it in case it gets any bigger and changes the breast shape. I'll be having 5 days whole breast treatment followed by 5 days booster treatment to the tumour bed. I've also now started taking the Letrozole following oncology advice and so far have not noticed any particularly adverse side effects. For the first few days I didn't sleep too well, and my joints are a bit achy, but I've made sure that I go for a good walk every day and so far so good. Fingers crossed everything continues to go well. How are you doing? What have you got coming up next, just radiotherapy? xx 

Hi all - just a quick update for any of you about to start treatment. I started with E45 but had red skin after 1 session & was told it could be the lanolin in it.  I used Aveeno for a few days while I waited for some Flamigel to be delivered (my Superdrug pharmacy ordered it for me & I paid when I collected it).  I've been using it since session 6 & today I've had session 11 out of 20 & so far had very minimal skin reaction.  It has a very cooling gel texture & dries down to a nice smooth finish & isn't sticky or slippery.   I'm really hoping it continues to work for me for the rest of the treatment but so far I'm pleased with it.   It is expensive at £35 for a 250 g tube which I think will only last me about a week applying generously 3 times a day.  I believe it is available on prescription but GP's will only prescribe if the hospital ask them to.

Hi ladies 

I thought it helpful to share an update. I'm now on day 3 after finishing my 5 days whole breast RT on left breast.

I now have a faint "suntan" on the area that was radiated and slightly darker reddening under my breast where it sits against my ribcage. Not uncomfortable though and I find the Flamigel brilliantly soothing so continue to slather that on 3 times a day.

I find it more comfy to wear a soft cotton crop top as it lifts my breast up and provides a barrier between the breast and chest skin. I wear cotton tops under jumpers anyway as my skin reacts to wool normally and I can imagine that any scratchy type top would really irritate the skin as it is very sensitive 

Occasional twinges in breast but no real pain and I'm not on any pain meds. Slight background headache and tiredness but reducing daily. I'm taking this is my body trying to repair the cell damage  Drinking loads helps and pacing myself

Fingers crossed all continues to go well ! 

Xx

Hi LalaLou, 

When do you actually start Mon 21/02? Is the 5 days part of the fast forward at a higher dose? I’m waiting to hear if I need booster sessions too. My oncologist apt is Monday 14/02. I assume that will just be getting consent for the radiotherapy. I was told 15 days and possible booster sessions, so I’m keen to see if this is what the oncologist says. I am keen to try the hormone therapy now and I will ask about that Monday - two months post op I will be and so I feel a bit afraid there’s nothing protecting me from recurrence yet. Thanks for the update re letrozole, which brand did you get? I’m struggling back in limbo and still worried about impact of radiotherapy on my reconstruction, but I’m hoping I’ll feel a bit better again on Monday if I get the hormone therapy and some reassurance / indication of when my planning session will be. It’s exhausting…. Recovery going well, although arm now starting to wake up in some places so getting those re-igniting pains, but still numb underneath so too scared to shave . Did you get any advice on creams and how’s your post op recovery? 
hugs Mickey xx️

Thanks for the update Jurassicgirl appreciated. I’m wondering if I will get away with my flexifit front opening bras I brought for my diep op and recovery. They are soft, but not sure now xx My skin is very sensitive too, so you’re update very useful. 
hugs Mickey xx️

Thanks for the update, I hope the skin reaction improves and you’re ok for the remainder. Are you just using the flamigel 3x daily now then - no creams at all? Sorry if I’ve misread. 
thanks Mickey xx️

Hi Mickey, the RT starts on Thurs 24th. The first 5 days whole breast sessions are at the higher dose then I go straight onto 5 days at a booster dose. They don't do this at weekends though so there will be a few days breaks factored in. They explained at the planning session that the booster dose is actually lower as it is targeted at a much smaller area. When I met the oncologist I asked whether the axillary area would also receive RT but was told that as I've  had a full lymph node clearance this would not be required. When first diagnosed the nurse said that I would get either 5 or 15 days RT and it seems that the oncologist makes the decision so you'll be able to discuss that at your meeting on Monday and hopefully they will also be able to put your mind at ease with regards to any potential impact to your reconstruction. I met with a clinical oncologist who I hadn't seen before and then afterwards had a chat with a nurse who provided some information/leaflets about the RT process. I then received a call a few days later with the date/time of the planning meeting.

I was of the same view as you with regards to recurrence risk and preferring to start the hormone therapy as soon as possible, because otherwise there would have been a few months 'gap' between surgery and finishing radiotherapy. I was given Accord brand by the hospital pharmacy but only 28 days supply, with the GP due to issue repeat prescriptions. It isn't clear how the GP will know this though so I'll give the surgery a call next week as don't want to end up with no prescription in a couple of weeks time!

Recovery wise the scar has healed well but my upper arm & armpit is still numb and stretching the hand and arm out fully is still painful. I was concerned that this would be a problem at the planning meeting as you need to spend some time with both arms above your head but it was fine, although I took 2 ibuprofen beforehand just in case. With regards shaving, the leaflet I was given recommends avoiding shaving where possible and no hair removal creams/waxes to be used in or around the area of treatment . My armpit hair hasn't started to grow back much yet since chemo so I don't need to worry at the moment but if it starts looking a bit 'Hair Bear Bunch' before RT starts I think I'll use a gentle hair removal cream as don't want to risk getting a shaving cut. 

With regards moisturising creams they recommend using these sparingly, twice a day. They will provide Enopen cream on the first day and also recommended the following: E45 cream, Aveeno daily moisturising lotion, Oilatum cream, Simple hydrating liquid moisturiser, Boots Derma care daily moisturiser & Dr Organic aloe vera gel. Like you I have sensitive skin so I'm going to start off by sticking with Aveeno as I've been using that throughout chemo and don't want to start trying something new now in case it causes skin problems. Hope that helps, and keep me posted on how your appointment goes on Monday xx