What to expect next

Hi, I had radiotherapy about 2 months after my surgery, but I had chemo before, so a little different sequence to you, but mine was a bit delayed as they needed the surgery scar ti heal and the swelling to reduce.  It differs from person to person, but I had 5 sessions on the erhole breast area and 5 targeted on where the lump was.

Typically for most people, radiotherapy is every day, so a bit of a hassle getting to the hospital each day as each session only take around 15 minutes.  It's painless at the time, but you have to take care to moisture the skin each day.  

I do have some longer term side effects that only occurred a few months afterwards, some swelling and breast lymphoedema and it's hard to say whether this is due to chemo, surgery, radiotherapy or a bit of all of it.  But all completely manageable I have to say.

Hope this helps, and best wishes 

Hi Tricia1919, you should have a planning session before you start and they talk you through your sessions and perhaps you will meet with oncologist first? Like Irishgirl16, I had 5 sessions but it was split over a week and I didn’t have them on Sat and Sun. I think it is tailored made and unique to your situation and some healing needs to take place first. I was advised to moisturise as soon as possible before treatment and during and after. I had a little pinkness and dryness but nothing too bad…I did get tiredness which would suddenly come on and this started two weeks after..I also got shingles. But said it could be combination of all treatment but I don’t think common..just bad luck! There is a good group on Instagram called Rad Chat run by couple of Radiographers and is full of info.  Wishing you all the best x

Hi, my situation was different to yours because I didn't have chemo and I also had breast conserving operations, mind you I had 2 ops and by the time that was done I didn't have much of my breast left. 

I did have however radiotherapy, I had to have 23 sessions, none at the weekend which was a nice break because it was a pain going to a hospital further away from my local hospital, my local hospital didn't do chemo or radiotherapy. 

The oncologist gave me a list of all my sessions, they couldn't do the same time each day so I had to be flexible. They also showed me around the clinic and the machines used which was reassuring. 

As for the treatment, I found it okay really, the actual treatment didn't hurt but did make my breast a little red and sore but like the other ladies have said, keep your breast moisturised, it makes a big difference. I did get tired but I think that was more the travelling to the hospital and back every day. Other than that I felt well. 

After a few months though the tissue within my breast became scarred and quite firm so it was difficult to see if I had any new lumps etc. Also my breast shrunk considerably and so I now have to have breast reconstruction, partly because of the 2 operations to remove a large lump and partly because of the radiotherapy but again this won't affect you. 

Finally, I would like to say that if I had to have radiotherapy again I would not worry about it at all. The staff are amazing and will support you every day so please try not to worry. 

I really hope your treatment plan goes well for you. Please let me know if you have anymore questions. Best of luck. Sue x

• Thank you ladies for your replies they have been very helpful.  I'm back at hospital this Friday so hopefully I will get a date to go and see the oncologist again  . 

Hi Tricia1919 

Also to add to what all the other ladies have said about ensuring you moisturise, when they say drink plenty of fluids, from my experience this is absolutely vital.  I had 15 sessions (again none at the weekend, which was great for the break as I too had to travel about 60 miles there and back for treatment), but I was able to go at a similar time each day.  I met with 3 other ladies each time who also chose that time; later in the afternoon.  2 of us drank lots (and I mean lots and lots - I had a pint of water first thing, then lots of cups of green tea, normal tea, squash throughout the day and plenty throughout the evening too). The other 2 ladies didn't drink a lot at all.  In fact one lady had only had one cup of tea all day by the time she arrived!  Both the ladies who didn't drink suffered really badly with fatigue and the lady with only one cup of tea kept falling asleep at her desk  at work.  In contrast, the 2 of us who drank lots of fluids had plenty of energy and the only effects I suffered was radiation burns.  In hindsight, I would reduce the amount that I moisturised underneath my breasts as I think the bra rubbed due to the gel (aloe vera gel from somewhere like Holland & Barrett is perfect).  I started getting the effects of burns there in week 3, so I reckon if I had not put any on underneath my breast at the start of week 3 then I might have prevented this.  

I found radio. fairly easy and I didn't have chemo., so having been through chemo., I am sure you will find it is absolutely nothing in comparison to what you have already been through.

Hope this helps a little.

Kindest Wishes and good luck with the next stage of your treatment, 

Lesley

Hi Tricia

I had 15 rounds. Chest wall, armpit and collar bone.  Was okay although they did struggle with my measurements and I found my arm where nodes were removed painful but only due to the amount of time i had it raised and sometimes for an hour!   All was fine until around 2 weeks after where I suffered severe burns under my armpit which was very sore.  They did give me cream and 6 weeks on am fully recovered.  Good luck xx