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

Take it easy at work the rest of the week then Daiquiri. You certainly don’t want to be tired for your coastal break next week. It’s great you booked that in, really helps to have something to look forward to. 

Glad you’re enjoying the sunshine today - I’m about to get ready for walk xx ️

Hi Mickey, I'm still feeling very tired and have also not been sleeping too well, which might be due to the Letrozole I suppose. Just trying to get through it as best I can and am resting a lot, but like you I am just getting ready for a walk as it's such a nice day. Skin is still doing ok although feels a bit sore now. Hope your RT session timings are not altered too much xx

Hi Mickey 

Choir was quite informal & we had a giggle so I'll stick at it for a while.  I've stopped with the Flamigel now & using MooGoo Udder Cream as it's more moisturising.  I'm keeping the Flamigel in case I get any reaction later in the summer when the skin is exposed. I intend to use SPF50 but suspect I might still get a prickly heat type rash & I think the Flamigel would be good as an "aftersun" with its gel texture.

Did you manage to get some Flamigel delivered?

You should be another session down by now.  

Take care x

Hi LalaLou, I’m sorry to hear about the insomnia and tiredness. I expect you’re right and it’s probably a combination of both the RT and the Letrozole. I also think you’ve had such a long long period of treatments that your body is quite rightly telling you that that’s enough now and you need to repair and recover. Please be kind to yourself and keep resting and of course walking. I hope you had a good walk yesterday. I walked up to my local hills and actually ended up taking my jacket off and walking in my t-shirt, it was a great feeling. I’m glad your skin is still ok and hope the soreness wears off soon. 
My session yesterday was 16.35 (they were running about 20 minutes late), today it’s 10.30 and then I have physio at 13.45, so lots of hanging around the hospital today. 
Have a restful day and take care. 
virtual hugs Mickey xx ️

Hi, 

I’m so glad you had a giggle at the choir, just what the doctor ordered and even more so if it reduces that recurrence risk. 

I haven’t ordered any more flamigel yet, but need to get on it. It’s hard when you don’t know when you’ll be home for a delivery around RT apts and I don’t want another one going astray

Third session here I come.. 

Have a great day - virtual hugs Mickey xx️

Hi

I finished RT 2 weeks ago. My boob is still red, hot and painful. And I get a bit itchy. Is this common? When will it start to be ok? Is there anything I can use to prevent this and help the healing? I’ve been using e45 which seems fine.

TU xx

I've used E45 for years but after my rads it didn't really like it. I switched to using CeraVe. I also had to resort to Sudocrem as lost all the skin under my boob. I was told I could use Hydrocortisone 1% for the itchiness but use sparingly. I also have itchy skin which is menopause/tamoxifen related as oestrogen loss can make you have itchy skin. Reaction to rads peaks about 2 to 3 weeks after finishing so hoping your reaction doesn't get worse. Mine is still swollen and its been 6 months so its a long recovery process. My physio said 6 month minimum for it to start to feel better. Everyone is different but it gives you an idea. Good luck x

Thanks. I’m hormonal to  so maybe why it’s itchy?

It seemed to heal nicely after my op then when rt started it got bad again and now I get pains and sleeping on it is like the early days after my op. Hopefully it’s reaching its peak. I’ll give CeraVe a try. Anything to ease this nuclear boob! 
Im just impatient and a baby lol  

xx

Right before xmas when I was at my partners so of course couldn't access GP or get prescription I had a very itchy bout and had like red hives on my torso and tops of thighs. Early jan, I also got prescribed some strong antihistamines and the e45 itchy cream which was good as its £25. Not everyone gets it but apparently it's due to lack of oestrogen.  If you read menopause symptoms,  dry itchy skin is a symptom. As we are coming into hayfever season, I want to get on top of itchiness as its annoying and like you, I'm impatient and my boob and armpit in general just ache all the time and I want to feel better. If you find something that works for you let me know x

Hi Kaz79

I had a prickly heat type rash that was very itchy.  I took an antihistamine pill every day for a couple of weeks & after a couple of days it seemed to kick in & I could tell when it was time to take another.   I had to try a couple of different ones but found Cetirizine the best (can get in the pound shop).

For creams I bought some Flamigel RT which is specifically for radiotherapy reactions & I found really good.  Otherwise I preferred Aveeno or MooGoo Udder cream  over E45.  I also applied a thin layer of hydrocortisone a couple of times which helped with the itch but made the rash weep a bit so I stopped! 

Mine definitely improved a lot in the third week.   Good luck x