Radiotherapy

Hi. I had my 5 sessions of RT, finishing almost 5 weeks ago. They were fine, quick and painless, but felt very tired towards the last one and  for about 2-3 weeks aftwrwards  but it has improved greatly.  I have worked throughout. I have used the flamogel supplied at the hospital, and organic aloe vera since, applying it religiously 3 times per day. No problems at all with my skin until a few days ago, and have a slight burn mark under my arm.  It hasn't broken out if anything, just a bit red-so I am taking extra care to apply gel and cream.

Hope all goes well for you x

I finished my last EC 4 weeks ago. I start radiotherapy next week and will be having 15 also. Everyone has said if you can do chemo then radiotherapy will be fine. My main aim is to keep it soft and supple so I can have implant reconstruction in 2 years time. Fibrosis is a common side effect which prevents this. 

Hi

For me the radiotherapy was a walk in the park compared to the chemo. It really just is lying on a table for a few minutes keeping still. If you’re being treated on your left breast them may encourage you to take a large breath in and hold it for ~30 secs. This is so that you raise the part of your body being treated - the breast - away from your heart and lungs. Ideally they want to avoid irradiating anything other than the bits that might have brecast cancer cells.

Drink lots of water, use the cremes they suggest - in my case Flamigel. I was using it at least 3 or 4 times a day.

Afer my 5 days, I had only the slightest ‘sun-tan’ mark where i had been treated. You need to keep these bits out of the sun for a year afterwards

One thing I wasn’t expecting is that the texture of the flesh changes quite frequently - and in different bits of the breast. I think we’re all encouraged to massage the area to keep it supple. I think these changes can continue for up to a year afterwards

Good luck. I really don’t think you have anything to worry about compared to what you’ve already been through

Hi

 I had 9 sessions in January. Compared to chemo it was a breeze. I also used flamigel 3 times a day for about a month then cut it down and went back to aveeno. I went a bit pink in the treated area after about 3 sessions but the flamigel took care of that. I was treated on my left side so had to do the breath hold which I managed despite being asthmatic. I have developed lymphoedema so my left side is heavier and harder, it doesn’t really affect me though. The best tip I can pass on apart from drinking water, is to let the air get to the treated area. I changed into a nightie early evening, put my arm on the arm rest on the settee and let the air circulate round.

I had 19 rounds of radiotherapy last October/November and I was fine. I used (and still do) use aveeno on my scar (I had a lumpectomy). I was treated on my left side so had to do the breath holding which I struggled some days with. The team ended up giving me a screen which really helped show me where my breath was and where it needed to be. Good luck