Radiotherapy

Hi, I had my second one today and already swollen and red, yesterday very painful and had to take paracetamol, but seem to be managing better pain wise tonight. I also had a lumpectomy in September and will be having 5 sessions in total. Have you brought cream? I have invested in Aveeno which seems to be working today! X

Hi, I had my op in October. I had a lot of nerve pain after about a week which took about 6 weeks to go and it looks like I’m getting it again. I wasn’t expecting this, the consultant only talked about skin peeling. 
I use Aveeno too. I’ve used it today. My skin looked a bit pink after treatment but looks alright now, it’s just internal discomfort I’m getting. I’ve got a break for a few days now until Tuesday. Is that the same for you? 

Hi Celie, I didn’t have internal discomfort until I had finished all my radiotherapy. I had 15 session with additional boost on each session. I used Aveeno which was great to keep it moisturised and I also used aloe Vera gel too. I was also told to make sure no creams were applied prior to radiotherapy just after. Even now 7 months after finishing I still suffer some discomfort but it’s not bad enough to take painkillers. It’s more when touched rather than when just left. Have a word with your radiotherapy team so they can advise what to do. Also make sure you drink plenty of water too. 

Wishing you all the best

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hello, yes three day break which I’m hoping will help it settle a little. Back to it on Tuesday x have they advised anything to take for the pain? 

I’ve just ordered some aloe Vera ready for my radiotherapy- so thank you for the tip x

I've been told to use E45 and I don't have to wash it off prior to treatment.  5 sessions starting 8th Jan. 

I also tried the E45 and works just as well. 

I had a right lumpectomy for a 5cm tumour with axillary clearance as it had spread to my lymph nodes many year's ago and, not to put a damper on things, I still have tenderness around the area and discomfort on fully raising my right arm, also muscle pain, neuropathic pain and general discomfort if I use my right arm too much.

I had radiotherapy every day for six weeks. This amount of radiotherapy was the normal in those days.  Because of the tenderness felt in my sternum, ribs and collar bone I had a few nuclear bone scans, three in all over a few years, in case it had spread to my bones, thankfully they were clear, but it showed thinning of my ribs in my right chest wall, brought on by radiotherapy.  Unfortunately radiotherapy can make bones brittle in some cases.

Radiotherapy is a bit of a double edged sword in many ways, it can cure but also can cause other long term problems, including, ironically, cancer.  I have now just finished a three week course of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) on a small lung nodule on my left side chest, Oncologists are undecided if it was because of past radiotherapy to my right side as the lung nodule is close to the treated area I had in the past, but there is no way of knowing.  

I hope I haven't put a downer on you, but these things take time to resolve, and in some cases are very long term.  I think people should be made more aware of this by the Surgeons, Oncologists and Radiologists so that people will not get too anxious by symptoms post-surgery and post-radiotherapy.  

Please note; my experience does not happen to everyone in this situation, but a percentage do. 

Best wishes in your recovery, and here's to a happy and healthy 2024.

Thank you. You haven't worried me. They have told me to expect scaring on the lung. 30% chance of the cancer reoccurring if I don't have radiotherapy 2% if I do. It's a no brainer. 

It is what it is for me I suppose. Best wishes for your continued journey xx

Hi Cuffcake,

Thanks for your reply.

I’m due for the rest of my sessions this week so I’ll ask my radiotherapy team.  I’ve been using Aveeno and continuing with the stretching exercises.  I’ve found the stretches more uncomfortable now, like my skin and tendons are tight and I get a pulling sensation.  

Good luck and hugs back   xx