Radiotherapy (5 weeks)

Beckyvdb

If you haven't been through it yet and are worried, please don't. 
It sounds much worse than it is. 

The receptionists, nurses and radiographers are really lovely. 
It doesn't hurt.
It doesn't take long.
I was in and out within an hour or less. 

My boob was a bit itchy throughout the treatment and became redder as the treatment progressed. But it wasn't sore. I felt tired for about 30 minutes after the treatment. 

The first week after finishing radiotherapy, you could clearly see the area and a clear line where the radio was targeted, it was a bit bumpy but not blisters. 

From the beginning I put sorbelene on twice a day until my friend told me about Tallow cream, I alternated them at first but after a while just used tallow because I found the sorbelene made me more itchy. 

Second week after finishing; there where a few changes to my skin. It was the same as the after ejects of sun burn without feeling the burn. My skin turned a darker brown, then peeled back to a nice tan colour. 

I've had quite a few headaches since finishing radiotherapy but I get migraines anyway so it could just be normal for me. 

I wish you all the best throughout your journey with breast cancer. I hope I have helped to take some worry out of the whole experience. 

Think happy thoughts, love Becky

TanLovering

Diagnosed Nov 24 with S2 IDC and DCIS. Thank you so very much for your post. I have my first radiation oncologist appointment tomorrow to find out what treatment I'm doing after my lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. I have no idea what to expect but reading your experience has put me at ease Interesting to know that you got tired straight after too.... It'd be so much easier driving myself as we live over an hour away and have our own business.... I could get a cuppa after and just wait til I feel better. I guess I won't know how I'll react until the time. Did you drive yourself? Tania

arpie

All the best for your appointment tomorrow @TanLovering.  Personally, I found the Rads to be the easiest of the lot.   But ask your Onc if Mepitel or Strata X might be suitable for your treatment, as it can protect the skin from burning.  Sometimes, it is not suitable due to the location & type of surgery.  Also ask which creams & gels they recommend - Moogoo is one of the favoured ones on the forum but there are many more.  Just make sure you do it often after each treatment - usually not before tho!

Some members have driven themselves to & from work to the treatment ... so it is 'doable' - but see how you go. 

You should be able to claim for fuel compensation if the treatment is 100k away or more .... I was able to stay at the hospital lodge that was near the Cancer Centre when I had mine & only went home on weekends.  Where abouts is your treatment?

Here's the link to the Sth Australian Patient Travel info (you may need your Onc to sign off on them) - ask them about it, so they can sign it tomorrow. They can print them off from here:  www.pats.sa.gov.au 

Take care & all the best

You may like to ask the PATS site about multiple trips within a certain time frame, as you'll be going Mon-Fri, probably for 2 weeks or more - and the Kms add up.

TanLovering

Oh my gosh thankyou so much.  We are only 60Kms from RAH so its just going to be part of the story, part of the journey! There are comfy armchairs scattered around the atrium area there so I might be able to sit there till feel ready to get going. I appreciate you mentioning strata x and mepitel too I will ask him for sure. Oh I feel so much better just knowing a bit more information and tips

arpie

@TanLovering ...  Definitely contact PATS about accumulated kms, even tho it isn't 100k each way, as you'll be doing 600k a week (Mon-Fri) 'x' ie how ever many weeks you'll be having (eg 3,000k over 5 weeks.)

Ask your Onc how many weeks you'll be having too.

Beckyvdb

Dear @TanLovering ...I didn't drive myself, as was lucky enough to  stay in Adelaide with some friends. We were working in the Clare Valley at the time of diagnosis. However, I walked back to their house several times, which took about 45mins, I did drive myself a few times but it was only a 15 minute drive. I didn't need an afternoon nap and was a bit bored.  Like you say, you won't know until it happens. I'm still feeling fine and had no further side effects. I wish you all the best. Make sure you take full advantage of the situation and take a break from work if you can. You'll never have such a good excuse! X

Beckyvdb

Also, I should have mentioned that you do need to rest up after the lumpectomy and dissection. Do the exercises they give you, but don't work too hard early on. I made the mistake of carrying something heavy on the second day which didn't help the stitches repair. I was surprised at how good it all looked, the surgeons are amazing, you can hardly see my scar now. I wasn't in much pain, just numb under my arm from the lymph dissection, where they cut the nerve, which is back to normal now. That was the worst of the pain, it was like a chaffing sensation.  I didn't need the strong pain killers. I just took paracetamol for a few days, and Senacot to counter the effects of the paracetamol. Again, you'll know how you feel. Keep smiling. You are part of a very elite club. X

LouiseR

Hi,  this is my first post, but just wanted to say that so far my experience mirrors yours Becky and I hope it continues that way. 
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy last week.  I've had no pain to speak of, just numbness, swelling and bruising, I have managed with Paracetamol and am weening myself off those gradually.  My only issue is I'm usually a side/front sleeper and have needed to sleep on my back since the op, so not sleeping too well.  
I have my post-op appointment on Monday to have the dressing removed and the results of the lymph node biopsy.  I am taking an 'it is what is is' approach and trying not to stress about it but can't help being a little anxious.
I chose to get back to work after 5 days (op was on Thursday, was back on Tuesday) I drive a desk and shuffle spreadsheets so nothing too strenuous, only a select couple of colleagues know anything, the others, boss included only know I was on medical leave.
I should also mention all the medical staff I have met so far have been so gentle and supportive. From the first diagnosis by BreastScreenSA to the amazing docs and nurses at RAH and QEH.

arpie

Welcome to the forum, @LouiseR. Terrific that you are going so well following your procedure.  Just make sure you don't do any heavy lifting (hanging out washing, picking up kids or pets ....or even reaching high or low into cupboards) for a little while longer, just to be sure, to be sure.   

Re your 'side/front sleeping' ... were you given a small cushion to put under your affected arm, specially at night?  I found mine really helped as I am a side sleeper too and not that fussed on sleeping on my back.

All the best for your results appt .... consider recording all your meetings on your phone, as it is easy to 'miss bits' at the time .... write down any questions you may have, as it is easy to forget to ask them, too!

Terrific that your experience so far with all the medical staff etc has been a good one. xx

take care & all the best

LouiseR

Thanks for the warm welcome @arpie,  I do have the cushion and it has been helpful but I'm still a bit tentative lying on my side while i still have the dressing on.  I've got an extra pillow now too for extra support so hoping once the dressing is off I'll be more comfortable.
It is laundry day tomorrow and I've enlisted my other half for all the manual work, I will be supervising   He's been so good so far, I've barely lifted a finger.
Great tip on writing down questions, I do feel a bit daft when they ask if I have any and I just go blank.

Beckyvdb

Dear @LouiseR, 

It sounds like you are being very brave, and wise to not let it take over. It's normal to be anxious, you just have to try and control it before it controls you. 

I sleep on my side and found after they took the dressings off it became easier to resume normal sleep, I also wore a bra in bed, as it seemed to help to not stretch everything in the wrong direction, especially if you toss and turn. 

Good luck with the node biopsy. 
All the best, Becky xx

arpie

I hope you are going well, @LouiseR - you'll know when it is 'right' to try your preferred sleeping position ... it is amazing how quickly we heal xx Woohoo!  Terrific that your partner is helping out with the 'unexpected' lifting bits ... it is SO easy to 'forget' & just do it - which can cause a setback   

Well done, @Beckyvdbfor mentioning that!  I'd totally forgotten it til you mentioned it - wearing a bra (the soft ones)!!!  I'd not worn a bra for decades prior to my diagnosis ..... and after healing, didn't wear one again!    
I definitely wore a bra after my surgery (tho not 'large breasted') as it definitely helped to support both the flesh affected by surgery & the 'non' affected flesh - and I removed the 'insert' so it was even more 'softer'!  ...     

That 'numbness' can hang around for months ... even longer ... 

I used to give THEM a copy of the questions, to make sure they covered all of them too! 

Take care & all the best 

LouiseR

I had my post-op appointment yesterday and thankfully the margins were clear so no further surgery needed and the lymph nodes were clear too.  I feel like a weight has been lifted, I'd almost convinced myself it was all going too smoothly and started really worrying.   
Apparently the wound is healing nicely - I didn't dare look while the dressing was off.  They drained some fluid which made a huge difference and I was able to lie on my side last night!   it feels like the fluid is building back up though so will see how it goes and call the nurses to get it drained again.
@Beckyvdb, good advice on the bra - I have been wearing a soft bralette/crop top to sleep in as much for psychological as physical support, I am not 'large breasted' either @arpie but through all this have learned they are very dense.  I've thrown out my underwired bras and bought wirefree versions.  I only really wear 'proper' bras for work as I feel a bit under-dressed otherwise. I find bralettes and vest tops are sufficient for casual wear.

Next step in treatment is radiation in 5 weeks or so, so that'll bring this thread back on topic

arpie

Great news, @LouiseR, all round.  I hope that fluid buildup settles so you can start getting some quality sleep again, soon, in your preferred position!  I was really surprised that my own 'wound' wasn't as confronting as I thought it would be (as he had to remove my nipple & sew it back on again ....) so don't be too scared to have a peek!! I had one stitch that didn't dissolve too & it was sticking out & just needed the nurse to pull it out - so you maybe should be aware of how it looks 'now' vs in a week or so ..... 

Have you been assigned a Breast Care nurse yet? If not, go onto the Mcgrath website & check who is available in your area.  You can liaise with her re the fluid buildup & may even accompany you to meetings, if you need 'support' ... they cover 'all cancers' now, so you'll just need to add 'BC' .. and your post code!   
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/

take care & all the best as you continue healing.

Beckyvdb

Dear @LouiseR,
Phew! That all sounds very, very positive. As @arpie mentioned, the scar really doesn't show at all in time.  I have a line under my arm where they took out the lymph nodes. You can just see a pink line that looks a bit like a crease. I still feel stiff  underarm and it's a bit of a weird sensation when touched but as long as I don't wear anything that rubs, it's fine. 

I also threw all my wired bras away
 :-(
You can now buy moulded cup bras that are wireless. I have one from Cotton On and it's very pretty with just as much support as a wired one. 

Keep up the exercises. They really help. 

Good luck with the radio therapy. If you are at the Royal Adelaide, I painted the pictures that are above the sink in reception. (If they are still there).  I was inspired by the ceiling in suite 3. I hope they brighten your day. Also don't forget you get free parking. The lovely receptionists will put your car park ticket through the machine on the desk. They'll probably ask you. 

All the best, lots and hugs,
Becky
Xx