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

I thought I had too! It’s already feeling less sore so fingers crossed. At least I was given a direct number for tissue viability and got to see them as soon as I needed. 

Hi Wintersun 41, 

I’m sorry to hear about your recurrence on the masectomy scar. 

I don’t have a silicone implant and so I can’t advise on specific likely effects of radiotherapy on that. I just wanted to say that I had similar concerns as I had a DIEP reconstruction and am now 7 sessions down out of 15 (session 8 later today). So far there’s no changes to the shape, but I have been warned that I may get some hardening and shrinkage as late effects. My Plastic Surgeon BCN was very good in talking me through her experience of how other ladies with the same reconstruction type had fared with radiotherapy. Whilst we’re all different, it might be worth you ringing the plastic surgeon office and asking for advice. I’d like to think they will offer their experiences to you (even if you are now closed to them).  They might even have some photos they could show you. Mine didn’t and so I’ve offered to do some so that someone like me in the future can see them. 

Best wishes to you for getting through RT with minimal impact. 

Virtual hugs Mickey xx️

Hi 

I had an implant with R side mastectomy, May 2021. Finished radiotherapy on 11 March, 15 sessions to extended area due to levels of node involvement and capsular escape.

My breast care nurse overinflated the implant a few weeks ahead of radiotherapy which I found pretty uncomfortable. I’m seeing her 1st April to have a few mls taken out, but actually the boob has gone a little more squishy in the last few days so it could have shrunk slightly during radiotherapy. I’ve got sunburn patch which started on day 10 post-rads. Around central chest node area I’m guessing.

I’m sorry you had a recurrence. My breast cancer was occult despite me picking up early on a minute change. As a result it had all got bigger and further than first thought, I’m braced for local recurrence and / or mets at some point. 

I'm due to start radiotherapy soon. I'm interested in what moisturiser you used as I have very dry, sensitive skin, and can be prone to eczema too.  How my skin is going to hold up is what's worrying me most of all. I'm going to take a look at those bamboo bras too 

Hi I'm 3 weeks post radiotherapy and normally have sensitive skin too, I used flamigel which is specific radiotherapy moisturiser which has been good. Hope tour treatment goes well x

Thank you. I'll look it up. Take care xx

Hi, I’ve done 14 RT days, I’m due to finish tomorrow. I was very worried about what to use on my skin. I also have very sensitive skin and have prescribed skincare products, which I was told not to use before and during RT.  After speaking to many helpful ladies on this forum, I also opted for flamigel RT. It’s expensive and I’m slapping it on like nobody’s business, but it’s definitely doing it’s job. I’m a bit sore under my armpit, but the nurse thinks it won’t break down. Otherwise, just a bit of redness that looks like a suntan. I agree with BirdyM and would definitely stick with flamigel. I intend to keep using it 2-4 weeks after just twice a day, which is what they suggest in their promotion leaflet. I hope that helps and all the best for your RT. How many days are you doing? 

It’s the tiredness which has shocked me most. Brings exhaustion to a new level for me. 

virtual hugs Mickey xx

Thank you  I'll make sure I get some. I don't have a date yet for my radiotherapy. I should have an appointment with the oncologist within the next week or so. I'm hoping it will be the 5-day course rather than the longer one  I'm hoping not to suffer too badly with fatigue - I already have quite bad insomnia and sleep apnoea so I feel shattered most of the time anyway. I'm not sure I can get much more tired!

Hi, I also have sensitive skin and bouts of eczema. I had 5 fractions ending March 6th. I was advised by the radiotherapy dept not to use Flamigel unless my skin began to break down, just to use whatever I normally do. I use Aveeno do continued with that. Until a few days ago I had no real side effect. However, my skin now is red and itchy but hopefully no sign of breakdown. I will continue with Aveeno and hope for the best. Lots of love and hugs to you, hope all goes well.

I too had 14 days mickeym and the exhaustion hit me too. I found it worse when I woke up in morning and then if I did anything that used energy ie walking dog would take me an hour to recover. I'm now on the hospital gym programme 3 times a week and finding that it's helping to return my energy levels. Hope your energy levels return to normal soon x