Do I have to?????

Hi Jane, just another thought I have osteoporosis have fractured my spine years ago, broke my wrist last year.... BUT NO broken ribs because of radiation. Just want to encourage you. 

Hi Jane and A few others who are about to go through Radiation, it is way easier than Chemo.... some pointers they give you special creams to lather on the radiated site USE IT ... also if you can put cold wet compresses on the area when you get home it helps to lessen the burning as you progress through the sessions. I had a burnt area that needed some  special burn gel that worked really well.... your nurse or breast care nurse will give you information about cold compresses etc.

if you are struggling with this treatment talk to your radiation oncologist or team and tell them.

I am 4 years since diagnosis and I am cancer free....

be kind to yourself and take the time to rest.

Alice

I will be having 5 weeks (25 treatments). I have been happy to go along with the recommendations up until now, but suddenly couldn't answer my own question about the need to have radio after having a systemic treatment. I feel better after reading everyone's replies, but will probably stay nervous and anxious for the whole 5 weeks. Good luck with your radio, I look forward to hearing how you go.

Survived the 1st session but barely as due to my allergies they could not tatoo me in the mapping session and it took them over an hour to get me into the correct position today.

That was the worst as having to hold the same position for that long had me in a lot of pain with 8 technicians working on me by the end as they will not irradiate until 100% sure they have it all positioned correctly.

Actual radiation bit is easy as as lasted mere seconds.

Positioning which the girls themselves were really upset over as they felt it was far far far too long (hence where we started with 2 technicians reinforcements were being called on top of other reinforcements) was the pits. But they all assured me 1st session is really the only time such problems can arrise when tattoos not used so I am hoping tomorrow goes a lot faster as if it does not I will be taking Panadeine Forte before going in.

Not wanting to scare you here as it was obviois that my.troubles were an absolute exception to thenrule andnnot the norm and my poor mum who waited for me outside thinking something horrible happened to me was saying everyone else was in and out in 10-15min so my crazy 'positioning fiasco' really must have been a once off. 

I am presuming you will be getting the tattoos so should not have this problem.

I did as instructed (non soap cool wash before the session with no moisturisers and brought aloe vera gel to apply as soon as I was back in the change room) so being the first session all is well skin wise.

I do feel super tired now and have been since midday but am sure that is more due to painkillers than radiation as far too early for the radiation to be affecting me).

All in all, I am marinating in Aloe Vera Gel and Moo Goo udder cream, watching rubbish cooking shows and am determined tomorrow will be super fast.

Having said it was a horrible 1st session still no chance I would not have had it - plan is to do whatever needs to be done to make sure bastard BC is well and trully eliminated ??. And if I have to spend ages on my tummy in weird positions so they can get the boob flesh positioned correctly for the 'nuke session' then so be it... I prefer rhey are super cautious than tomhave them rush and irradiate more than they should or a wrong bit...

On the positive note, going to pick up my lovely organic oils and the bucket sized Aloe Gel tomorrow so I reckon after tomorrow I will be too busy applying all the lotions and potions to be tired ??????

Got to say that they really are well organised at this Hospital and was really impressed at how good they were in spite of my little hiccups.

I would not worry too much.in your place. I honestly reckon as long as we do what is advised in terms.of prep and actual skin care all will be OK.

Hugs

Jel.

Thanks Deanne, I will be having the same number of treatments to the same areas as you, which freaked me out a bit size wise when I thought about it. I appreciate your words of encouragement.

I had a mastectomy, so that boob won't be doing it again! Which is why suddenly I was questioning it. I had in my mind that they would be irradiating where each tumour was, not the whole chest wall (which doesn't make sense when I think now how would they know where the tumours used to be exactly?) Thanks for the tip about keeping warm!

So true and occasionally we can get caught up in reading experiences of others that don't always match where we are at!  You've done a lot of hard yards already and now once the Spring of Radio is over perhaps it is the summer for you - there was a movie called Summer of 42, beautifully haunting music!

Take care and hoping it is not as daunting as you were thinking!

BTW I find Moo Goo deodorant very good and it didn't sting the lymph nodes scar when it was healing.

Virtual hug

Thanks Brenda, so many options and twists and turns, I think I suddenly lost my way for a bit.

Thanks for the tips and advice. Like my other treatment, I can't say I am comfortable with having radio, but had gone into a bit of autopilot whilst on chemo, telling myself it's all for the best and they know what they are doing, then all of a sudden it was like I woke up and wanted everything to stop. I know it is all for the best, but I just wanted a simple way to explain it, so thank you. Yes peace in simple things...

Thanks Melinda, just having someone tell me I will blitz it makes me feel better. I am so fatigued after chemo I don't know how I could be more fatigued after radio, but we will see. Good luck to you for continued good health.