I had my last Radiotherapy session on Wednesday I’m going to write everything I have experienced and have found useful here in the hope that it helps someone.
I have had 5 days of modulated radiotherapy to my right breast at Genesis Care in Elstree.
I did not have marks, the lining up was done by 3 dimensional laser imaging so the machine lined up to the shape of my body, position of my ribs etc (I asked to see the scans it was quite fascinating).
I was taught how to hold my breath for each treatment (approx 30 seconds each time). The tumour was deep in my breast so holding my breath was to push my liver out of the way of the treatment.
I found the treatment emotionally difficult, I had nightmares about it before and during treatment but it was painless and the team looking after me we wonderful. The care I have received and the level of compassion and professionalism with which I have been treated has been simply wonderful.
Through the amazing charity Penny Brohn I have received Counselling and acupuncture which helped me so much emotionally.
I wasn’t expecting much from acupuncture but am now a complete devotee. I went into the first session of feeling tired and washed out with a three day banging headache and came out feeling calm, refreshed and pain free.
Three days on from treatment and my breast is a bit tender, like a pms-boob ache. I’m starting to get the familiar little zaps of pain, (just as I did after my lumpectomy) as the breast heals and the nerves come back to life. The surface of my breast is a little sore, like a light sunburn.
My skin has always been sensitive, I get a prickly heat rash from sunburn and can get eczema so I am being very careful with my skin. I know that creams that are too thick and oily or form a layer over the skin (such as aloe Vera) actually cause me to come out in rashes as my skin needs to breath.
When I went for my initial scan I was told I would be given a cream to put on my breast so I asked for it then and tried it out on my healthy boob to make sure it didn’t cause a rash.
I have bought bamboo bras so that my boob can be supported but my skin can breath easily and they seem to be doing a good job. I tried a few out and found these were best for me as they have adjustable straps and give good support …
I'm going for my planning appointment on Thurs 6th Jan, aso at genesis care in Newmarket for 5 sessions commencing 17th Jan. I feel I've gotten off pretty lightly with my cancer journey so far, mammogram identified non invasive dcis, removed in Nov with good margins, healed well and only had 3 days off work so far. Could I ask if any of you have taken time off work during or after the radiotherapy? I seldom take sick days, only do office based work which is from home at the moment, but suddenly feeling very low and overwhelmed, and this is very unlike me. Work is also very stressful emotionally right now, so I think it's this combined with just plodding on with things without addressing what I'm going through properly, and I'm a bit worried I could be about to hit an emotional wall, which has never happened to me before. If any of you have taken a bit of time out, is it the oncologist I'd need to speak to to get a sick note or my GP, who I haven't seen since being pregnant 25 years ago! Thanks all x
Morning . I read your post with interest . From a position of kindness and empathy I would suggest that you give yourself a break . Breast cancer takes many forms and needs a complexity of treatment plans .
For sure some women have an easier route to recovery than others but that doesn’t remove the fact that treatment is often intimidating and invasive , however lightly you may believe you have got of !
So take some time out after radiotherapy . Let your mind have the time it needs to reflect and work through emotions .
There are no champions in cancer treatment . Only survivors .
I can completely relate to your description of feeling low and overwhelmed following surgery as I hit that wall a week or so ago after my successful surgery for early invasive ductal on 7th December. Even having a very positive results appointment on 23rd didn't help.
I think it is about the head catching up with the body. Everything healed quickly for me too and happened quickly too for which I'm grateful but you need time to process what has happened. Mine wasn't helped by poor sleep and starting anastrozole but gingers crossed both are settling. Be kind to yourself xx
thank you for your considered comments. I found them really helpful and have my discussion about radiotherapy on Tuesday. Most likely 5 sessions but I am finding the thought of it quite emotionally impactful so hearing your experience was really reassuring. Thank you xx
You make a lot of sense, it's just a bit alien for me to feel stressed at all and the thought of asking for time off is horrid to me! But as you say Penelope no champions, so I'll stop trying to be one for once x
Hi , lovely replies already but just wanted to pick up on who to ask re time off. This may vary from place to place, but this was my experience: post op, 2 week sick note issued by hospital. Then at results meeting 2 weeks later, surgeon said as far as he was concerned I could go back to work (special needs teacher, very physical job, school supportive and didn’t want me back till healed). So it was my GP who then signed me off for a month. Fast forward to oncology appointment, signed off by oncologist (but ‘sorted’ by the oncology nurse who suggested staying off until rads done) for a further 8 weeks. Then during 3 weeks of rads (pre Covid), consultant radiologist suggested staying off for a further month post rads. Saw GP who agreed and provided the sick note. Please do take whatever time you need, we’re all different as are our cancers and treatments - some have bigger, deeper scars which take longer to heal and we react differently to rads. Some folk here have been able, and have preferred, to work throughout treatment while others (like me) have felt it essential to take longer away. That four months was the longest I’d ever been off work apart from having babies. In fact I hadn’t had a days absence in years, so not done lightly. Good luck with it all, let us know how it’s going. Love and hugs, HFxx
HappyFeet1 xx
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi
Like wise . Always been a “driven “ career woman who took a whopping 2 weeks off after having my first baby . Absolutely mad I know but I had a business which employed people and my pregnancy was not exactly planned so it had to be done I suppose .
The mental scars of not taking sufficient time off have stayed with me . My son is 29 and doesn’t know what I’m on about ! But the guilt and chaos that accompanied that decision I don’t ever think was worth it . However you learn . So this time there is going to be 6 months off . From diagnosis to return to work . I have had challenges during my treatment and also , unfortunately , had cancerous tumours in both breasts .which had to be treated . What I am really trying to say is take the time you need to heal your body and mind .
