Starting radiotherapy in couple of days. Any advices?

Hi Chantie,

I completed 12 days of radiotherapy on 23rd Nov to my chest and lung. I also have difficulty swallowing & was expecting the worst. I was fortunate that it wasn't that bad. Sometimes felt a burning sensation in my chest and when swallowing on a few occasions towards the end it felt like I'd swallowed a lego brick. It didn't last long I'm happy to say. After 2/3 weeks it had gone.

I didn't get any redness on my skin but just made sure I moisturised well everyday.

I wish you well.

little-fi x

Hi chantie, there is a pinned post here at the top the diagnoses and treatment group called radiotherapy tips. If you go to the thread and click HERE it will take you to a very useful blog where there are lots of informative links all about radiotherapy.

The radiotherapy team are always so helpful, and they will ask you at every session wether you had any problems. Please do tell them of any side effects you may be experiencing as they will be able to advise you on what to do to help. 

Good luck, let us know how you get on x 

Thank you Little fi x, That is encouraging and reassuring. Am glad your experience wasn't too bad and hopefully it will be similar for me.

What cream did you use as it will also be lung and chest.? Cannot seem to get specific info about that anywhere.

Just for interest have you had any more treatments or anything else planned?

Thanks again chantie 

Hi

Re moisturiser…..different hospitals recommend different creams but as a general rule alcohol and perfume free is advised.

Popular ones are Aveeno E45 and aqueous cream

Thanks Exraygirl

Very helpful and will get one of those before treatment tomorrow so will be prepared. 

Many thanks Chantie

Hi Chantie,

I just used Aveeno Soothing Relief Moisture Cream (fragrance free) but I'm sure anything you already use is perfectly fine. I didn't apply it until my session was over.

I'm currently on immunotherapy and next Wednesday will be having my 22nd dose. I had a scan today to see if the radiotherapy has done its job in kickstarting the immunotherapy, as it had stopped responding on the tumours. 

I hope it's all gone well for you today,

little-fi x

THANKS Little Fi for your good wishes and my  1st treatment went OK. Just bit nauseous on and off.

Must be a bit disheartening that after 22 sessions of immunotherapy it has stopped working as well as it probably did at first. I too x my fingers that the radiotherapy has done its job. Let us know.

You look very young on your picture so more difficult but looks like there is lots of hope out there and am so happy I have joined this blog as was starting to become negative which isn't my natural self.

So best wishes for next year and hope us the key

Chantie xx

Hi Little Fi

Since last blogged I hope you had good news about that scan and that immuno is still working for you.

I just finished the 10 sessions of radiotherapy. Like you nasty chest oesophagus pain and eating and drinking not a joy. Just hope that it goes away soon. You said yours stopped after 2-3 weeks so hopeful. 

Am also starting immunotherapy keytruda very soon alongside 2 chemo drugs. Cant say I am looking forward to it but hope it is for a good cause.

Wish you very well on that difficult journey we are all on

Hi Chantie,

Another box ticked for you getting through the radiotherapy, no pain no gain so the saying goes. I hope it doesn't last long. Good luck with the immunotherapy and chemo drugs too. 

My scan revealed that I have inflammation in the tissue of my lung. It's rare but could be due to the radio or immunotherapy or combination of both. I get quite breathless. They have signed me off work again and I'm on steroids & antibiotics to hopefully nip it in the bud.  I go back on Monday for the results of different tests they did last week.

Good news was that the tumours had shrunk but the doctor didn't go into detail about that as he was more concerned with sorting out this problem. 

When do you start your immunotherapy & chemo? I know you might be anxious about starting your treatment but it will be worth it! 

Keep us posted.

little-fi xx

PS. Profile pic was taken just before diagnosis. Bit of a fraud really as I don't look like that now!! LOL 

Hi Little Fi

I have now the date to start chemo and keytruda and am lucky it only 3rd Feb so gives me a bit of a breather.

I have been having really bad time with post radiotherapy side effects with the burning pain that was in the chest and oesophagus also affecting ears, jaws and starting to spread over my face. Pretty painful but thanks god steroids exist and it is 50%better and likely to improve in the next week or so.

What about you as there were having complications and you also had steroids and also antibiotics. Is it healing? 

What is the next step of your treatment?

Has the tumour shrunk quite a bit? wish you very well  and keep me informed

Chantie