Radiotherapy

Hi, I finished my 5-day radiotherapy treatment 3 weeks ago today. 
The treatment itself was very smooth and I had no problems at all. I had an appointment 3 weeks prior to get “measured up”, find the most comfortable position and get the 3 little tattoos. I got all the information I needed so when I got to the treatment itself I felt well prepared. 
It was about 20 minutes in total every day. It was “self check in”, so just scanned my bar code, sat down in the waiting area and got called when it was my turn. I have not had any mobility issues with arms or shoulders so it was not painful to have the arms over my head. I also didn’t have to hold my breath as my cancer was in the right breast. After the treatment I have not had any skin problems to speak of. I have moisturised twice a day since the superglue dissolved from the scar so hopefully that has helped. 
I had expected to be more tired but apart from having to get up early for the Saturday and Sunday sessions, I was actually ok. 
best of luck with your continued treatment. I hope it all goes to plan.

Thank you Norske for the invaluable advice, happy new year.

Hi, I had 15 sessions after my mastectomy , which did make it a bit of a long slog, having to travel to the hospital & back each time.

Some sessions lasted 15-20 mins some longer when they wanted to take inages/xrays to ensure they were still hitting the right areas accurately. I had 3 areas treated. 

The oncologist should let you know what areas they recommend. The planning session will be held a couple of weeks prior to work out the best position for you & they can then work out the computer program which will automatically run the machine each time. They will also give you lots of info about skin care etc & answer questions

I did feel tired during & afterwards & my scar & skin was sore too, but everyone reacts differently

I hope all goes well for you, best wishes x

Hi. I think its normal to feel a swelling after lumpectomy, as long as its not inflamed I’m sure it will improve. I remember feeling a bit concerned when I felt the area of my lumpectomy as it felt swollen and lumpy. I had my op on Sept 8 and my boob now feels fine again, just slight thickening under scar line. You will get advice at your radiotherapy planning meeting. I had to practice breath hold as mine was left side. The actual radiotherapy was fine but it is a bit uncomfortable lying with arms above your head. I found it useful  to practice lying like this prior to treatment starting. I got excellent advice on here to use Aveeno moisturiser afterwards. My boob was quite pink and warm after second session, I had five. For about three weeks my nipple became quite sore but aloe vera helped. Now my skin is back to normal but my left boob is definitely a shade darker than the right one. Hope your treatment goes well.

Hi, I have had 11 sessions and have 4 more next week which will complete the treatment.  I found that it’s not as bad as I imagined.  I have to do breath hold as my mastectomy was also on the left side. After saying I was stressing about breath hold a very kind radiologist performed it in 3 which means they stop and start to enable you to catch your breath hence shorter holds.  Each time I have it I ask to have it in 3 and it’s been so much easier.  I find after each session my skin feels quite warm so I apply aloe Vera cooling gel from Holland and Barrett and it soon calms down.   I apply E45 cream twice daily.  So far I do not have any skin problems.  I advise you to start moisturising now if you haven’t already as I was told this will help to give your skin a good start for the treatment.  Ive also gone braless as it’s best not to have anything pressing or rubbing the area. Wishing  best of luck with your treatment.  X

Hi!  I finished my ten days of radiotherapy last week.  I found the whole experience amazing and the opposite of daunting.  The longest part is the measuring each day.  I think phase one had six deep breaths and sizzles and phase two had three.  The most shocking part was that I didn’t see nor hear a shocking bolt of light.  I’m a person who needs info and asked were they more medicine or engineers … any fear you have will disappear and be turned to awe.  I have minimal side effects, boob is a bit red and very slightly tender but not so much as to put you in bad form or hamper day.  I’m not fatiigued but haven’t been sleeping well but I’m a bit slower on uphill walks … I’ll be honest, the second I got into car after last radio I HOWLED!

Hi, I had 20 radiotherapy sessions after my lumpectomy, I was advised to moisturise my breast and used E45 cream. I still moisturise twice a day. I would advise doing the exercises before you start radiotherapy and keep doing them afterwards. I found the planning CT scan more uncomfortable than the actual radiotherapy sessions.The radiotherapists were lovely and really kind. They were very helpful and reassuring. I didn't have any tattoos. I did feel a bit tired, but I had to travel quite a distance for my treatment. The tiredness increased a little the more sessions I had. I found walking a short distance every day helped with the tiredness. Best of luck with everything. 

Thank you Kitty, all the best for the new year x

Thank you. So much for the info, it has put my mind at rest. All the best x

Thank you for the invaluable advice Evajean x