Radiation - 6 weeks completed with no tears ... some tips.

@arpie and @viking1 Good morning!
Your recent discussions make me aware that this is not going to be all over when I've finished radiation. (Chemo half-way mark next Monday, 12 weeklies to go, then rads). Clearly there are potentially follow-on effects from the radiation, which I don't know anything about yet. I've been wondering how long the weakened immune system lasts. Then I'll have changeover surgery for the implant next March. 
I'll have my second consultation with my radiation oncologist on 15 June, so I'll have heaps of questions for her then.
I too feel really sorry for people who don't have the capacity to deal with the system on their own. I've often felt, when I'm battling to be heard and have my thoughts respected by health care professionals, that it must be so difficult for people who aren't assertive, or who are in awe of doctors, or just don't understand what they're being told, and are too afraid to ask questions - if they even know what the question should be. And as for people living in remote areas - what a battle!
I live alone, so at least I don't have responsibility for anyone else, and can concentrate on myself. But I have practical and emotional support from wonderful friends and some family, and Coles online delivery and subsidised Aged Care home cleaning. And - very recently - a superb free telephone counsellor through the Cancer Council. Now - if only we could get the fuel prices down!!!

Thanks, @viking1 - all going good this end  ...  I hope you get over your cold quickly too - I couldn't believe the number of colds I got late last year before I was diagnosed - just one after another - most going to my chest & needing antibiotics. I was a mess.  Yep, lots of it going round just now - and also the full on flu as well!  :(   I blame kids & supermarkets!  Have you got some echinacea?  A few drops on your tongue a few times a day can help build up your immune system.   I actually bought an apple cider vinegar 'immune booster' with chilli & other herbs & spices  in it .. I'll take a swig now & then and see how it goes, as ALL our immune systems are compromised whilst we are going thru radiation, chemo & tablets - and we need to be mindful of that.

......I notice that I will spend a day worrying about the dishes and 5 mins doing them! ....  Hahaha I thought that was only ME!  Sometimes, just because I 'think' of something - my mind registers that it's been 'done' too!  So I am surprised when I go back & find it still there, NOT done!   LOL

Many of our appointments in recent months were my hubby's too ..... so combined, we had a double lot going on.  There is no way he could have kept on top all his own stuff, let alone mine as well.    When having rads up at Port Macquarie - I had access to the Social Worker and a Counsellor up there - they were terrific.   

I feel REALLY SORRY for anyone trying to juggle all this shit on their own - they deserve a medal, I reckon!  

@arpie Thank you … I think I may just have a cold … just seems to go on and on. The chemist reminded me that my immune system will still be low. I think I got it from my great niece who is 9 months old and had a cold. Too much snuggling! The whole family caught it. Little germ! Weird for me as I seriously haven't had a cold or the flu for about 6 years.
The appointments! I know what you mean … they just keep on coming! I actually cancelled all of mine last week to get over the cold and cough. It was amazing not going out. I'm on the sub cut Herceptin so I have to go in to the hospital every three weeks, heart function test every three months, and chemo onc I think is the same. But then there can be breast physio too. I hope we don't get sick going into the hospitals in flu season.  In September I should be hospital free.  I think cancer is turning out a workforce of Personal Assistants...we certainly are learning how to set appointments, multitask and navigate our way through a sea of paperwork and health care institutions. Hardly time to be 'sick'. I really worry about people who have trouble navigating the system. I hope social workers are helping them or family members or friends. I hope you have an excellent holiday from the appointments and can relax! Xxx

@viking1 Sounds like a plan...! #sorrynotsorry  :p

So sorry to hear of your chest woes, @viking1  ... I hope the antibiotics work & that everything settles down quickly - so you have one less thing to worry about!  :(   Keep as active as you can, stay rugged up & keep your fluids up as well

Good idea to schedule your exercise - much as i was scheduling all our medical appointments over the last few weeks!!  On the Calendar as well as on the steps, in order of attendance!  This is the first week the steps are free from appointments!  YAY!.... take care xxx

I know what you mean Kate! I notice that I will spend a day worrying about the dishes and 5 mins doing them! I had the idea of getting a weekly wall planner, biggie, from Officeworks and hanging it somewhere  so it's staring at me! Then schedule my walks (to be), yoga and maybe a swim on certain days. Like appointments. And attend them like I do with non exercise related ones. Because I sure need a better method than I have now to get moving. Plus schedule my shopping and soup making. Maybe a routine will help! Nice to be back xx

So good to see you back here @viking1! Despite you having some aches and pains. I hope they're sorted soon. I forced myself out for a walk today... after five hours of procrastinating! K xox

@Jax1964 What a wonderful photograph! Fantastic to see and feeling a lot of pride to see what you enjoying your life to it's full set.  If that means climbing a mountain or hugging your dog, I am all for us all experiencing some good things in life.  Re the smell, I was going to suggest the same as @Flaneuse.  I use essential oils and with the brand I use, you can apply a drop to the lotion you are using and lather it on. One drop is sufficiently strong enough with my brand. But you need to make sure that it is an essential oil that can be applied topically, as with some, you can't. If you or anyone wants to know what I use and think is great, PM me and I will send you a link to the website if you feel like browsing. I've always loved essential oils so it made sense for me to become an 'advocate' for the brand I use. But I don't have a sales bone in my body so just purchase them at the wholesale price for friends and rellies. Happy to do the same for anyone here! 

I last had radiation in March and am seeing my rad onc next week. My main issue to discuss is pain in the chest wall. I have had that since radiation ended and would like to know more about it. I recently had a chest cold that ended up with me having a chest xray that showed something where I had rad. So it was off to a CT scan then, and the finding was some changes thought to be associated with radiation, and possibly radiation pneumonitis (inflammation of the lung).  I accepted this as a fact, as did my GP. Then I thought, hang on, ask the rad onc!  He rang me the same day I called and was able to look at my images. He said no, it's too soon for you to get radiation pneumonitis. It usually occurs at least 9 months plus after radiation. He is going to check me out next week and see if I need steroids or something. (I am already taking antibiotics in case I had pneumonia and not just a cold and cough.)  So I guess the moral of my story is I need to make sure I go for the expert opinion straight away and not wander around for a couple of weeks thinking I have something I don't!  I was still a bit upset that the radiation has had an impact on the body besides just doing its job. I guess that's something I have to accept. My advice to myself is to now build up my immunity, or regain it, and get fitter and stronger. And start eating for immunity and good health/to lose weight for health reasons … I will start with walking and cutting out the cakes!  I notice people keep telling me to have that slice of cake as I deserve a reward. But I know I have a middle that's expanding and that is no reward in the long term, so it's time to stop with these types of rewards! Love to all xxx

@Jax1964 Congratulations! So impressive. An interesting factor about the olfactory memory; so powerful, isn't it?. Maybe massage under your ears and chin with a few drops of your favourite essential oil in a carrier oil, before you start applying the MooGoo.

@Harvey1903 ... I guess you can start lathering up before rads start ..... just not the same day as you are HAVING IT .... only afterwards.

@Jax1964 ... you GO GIRL!!  Enjoy the ride!  Not sure what to suggest re the scent?  Sniff on some Vicks  or wear a peg on your nose?