Bit down today.

PFJTHS said:

Mine.  Taken after I got off the table on my last treatment.  I have no idea why I am smiling as I was in so much pain, but just grateful it was all over.  The mask now lives in the loft and is brought out when the grandchildren fancy a horror

You look really well Peter!  You would never think that you have been through so very much, I've read your profile and it sounded so brutal (a word I've heard so much since I started.) 

Your mask looks like something out of Star Wars, very cool, I can see why the grand-kids like playing with it.  Mine just looks more like a mesh (no holes cut for nose, eyes or mouth, but plenty of small ones that allow you to breathe of course.  I must admit it seemed a bit claustrophobic at first, but I take a few deep breaths when they first put it on and I get used to it then and I'm fine.  But my skin has the 'mermaid effect' when they take it off and I have to use my disposable mask when I leave the hospital! 

Hugs, Hazel x

PFJTHS said:

I only used Aleo Vera gel (off Amazon) and E45 through threatment and really kept my skin intact.  A little sore, but no blisters etc.  I think some of this comes down to the skill of the radiographers and the capabilities of the LINAC.  My consultant asured me that I would not blister and he was right.

I'm sure there is something in that but it also depends on whether the radiologists are targeting lymph nodes under the skin and whether you have the sort of skin that burns in sunshine anyway. I am fair but do tan and my neck just got a little flakey in the last few days

Hi Hazel 

Has Dani says there’s lots of variable s I have freckles i can burn by looking at the sun hence since sun dream came out I’ve always used high factors. Combine that with my biggest lymph node was palpable thorough the skin it was bulging out it was odds on I  would  burn. But it was well managed by my team. Never had any issues and you’ve seem my videos. Please do t worry or you’ll drive yourself round the bend. There’s no  one size fits all.

 Hugs 

Hazel xx

Thanks Dani, I will follow all the advice given here, it's not let me down yet!

Hugs, Hazel x

Hi Hazel

I think they tend to say how it is as there is no point in sugar coating (personally this worked for me but we are all different & I can see how this would fry the brain). It will be hard but you CAN get through this, you WILL get through this. You have so much more courage & tenacity that you ever knew, dig deep but you will feel down on days.

Rely on your loved ones, friends us, the professionals (the cancer team not the 70s cops!), people will surprise you with how fantastic they can be. Shout, cry or scream if you need too but the treatment will be at the end surprisingly quickly if you just take one day at a time.

Sending you my love & thoughts x 

Chemo Chaos said:

I think they tend to say how it is as there is no point in sugar coating

Thanks, I know, it's best to be prepared.

Chemo Chaos said:

Rely on your loved ones, friends us, the professionals (the cancer team not the 70s cops!), people will surprise you with how fantastic they can be.

And yes, I always come on here for support (hubby's great, but hasn't gone through it thank God, he's had his own challenges being paraplegic, I feel ashamed when I think of what he must have gone through at the time.  We met a few years after it had happened. )

Thanks to everyone on here, for their support and words of wisdom and advice.  Take care.  Hugs, Hazel x