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Cherylek's avatar
Cherylek
Member
12 years ago

Radiotherapy week five

This week has been a quieter week with 5 rads and only the nurse and physio appointments. Machines have been working, appointments on time, no last minute cancellations. My skin is holding up really well. Pinkish red, sore spots are the port site (of course) and from biopsy scar into the arm pit. If anything my ribs and upper inner arm hurts more. Walking back to the changing room on Monday I thought to myself what's that the radio therapist is holding in their hand as they went to call the next patient. Then I realised it was a white mesh face mask they put over the patients head for those needing radiotherapy to the head. Let me tell you it looked mildly claustrophobic to say the least. Today I had a colour and a tiny little haircut for the first time since early February when I had a no. 3 not long after my first chemo. I looked down at the cape aghast and said could you put it back on my head you've cut at least half a cm off! I'm trying to work up the courage to walk into work tomorrow at Crown Casino without my wig. Wish me luck! Cheryle :)
radiotherapy

8 Replies

  • Cherylek's avatar
    Cherylek
    Member
    12 years ago
    I work at Crown Casino in Melbourne, last night I felt so nervous found it hard to get to sleep. I'm glad I went without my wig though. I got a few comments which I expected, looks, stares and for the people who didn't know; I just said oh well time for a change. (I was secretly pleased and relieved that people didn't realise its a wig) I have mentioned the rib pain and my concerns about the port. Tonight it feels like it poking out and is really sore. The nurse and Rad. Oncologist weren't too concerned even though there is not much information about what happens to the port when it gets radiated! Is it a bad thing to run away to work on Wednesday so the husband has to do the school pickup, swimming and basketball practice? No? I didn't think so either! Cheryle:)
  • mum2jj's avatar
    mum2jj
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi,

    i have done chemo twice and found that moment when I walked into work wigless very hard.  Especially as most of the people who I dealt with through work (not my colleagues) had no idea I had had cancer.  I got a couple of comments like did I have a fight with a lawn mower.  Since I had made the decision not to share publicly my breast cancer (except with my colleagues), mainly as I felt I would get no work done if I had to explain my story to everyone else, I just smiled at theire comments and kept working.  I knew if I told them the real reason they would feel awful.  After the first day it was easy and I sported my buzz cut proudly.  I am sure some people guessed but had the good grace not to ask.

    Good luck

    Paula :)

  • mgndam1603's avatar
    mgndam1603
    Member
    12 years ago

    I am 3 days into week 5 and I too have pain under my breast and thought it was my rib, the doctor said its my lung has swollen and is puhing against the ribs, apparently very normal.

    I went into my work last week for a visit and did it no scarf, I am very proud of my very short hair, its really get very think now and to be honest I am thinking of not colouring i for a while, I want it to grow strong without bleaching it.

    Take care not long to go now.

    cheers

    Donna

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Cheryl

    So good to see you still got your sense of humour.  I am glad you have finally had a reasonably good week.  Continue to look after your skin and remember that it still keeps working from the inside out for at least 2 weeks after.  Look after that port of yours.  I would be asking about your ribs and under arm only because my BCNA beastie ended up with a broken rib due to radiotherapy.  I am sure she is like you and over does things so it might be worth just asking the question.  I don't want to scare you in anyway and I may be way off beat but definitely worth following it through.

    Good luck with going wigless if you make that decision.  Which Crown Casino do you work at?  

    Wishing you stress free final radiotherapy and that your skin continues to behave itself for you.

    Look after yourself, lots of love, Mich xoxoxox

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Cheryl

    So good to see you still got your sense of humour.  I am glad you have finally had a reasonably good week.  Continue to look after your skin and remember that it still keeps working from the inside out for at least 2 weeks after.  Look after that port of yours.  I would be asking about your ribs and under arm only because my BCNA beastie ended up with a broken rib due to radiotherapy.  I am sure she is like you and over does things so it might be worth just asking the question.  I don't want to scare you in anyway and I may be way off beat but definitely worth following it through.

    Good luck with going wigless if you make that decision.  Which Crown Casino do you work at?  

    Wishing you stress free final radiotherapy and that your skin continues to behave itself for you.

    Look after yourself, lots of love, Mich xoxoxox

  • Mich_x's avatar
    Mich_x
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hey Cheryl

    So good to see you still got your sense of humour.  I am glad you have finally had a reasonably good week.  Continue to look after your skin and remember that it still keeps working from the inside out for at least 2 weeks after.  Look after that port of yours.  I would be asking about your ribs and under arm only because my BCNA beastie ended up with a broken rib due to radiotherapy.  I am sure she is like you and over does things so it might be worth just asking the question.  I don't want to scare you in anyway and I may be way off beat but definitely worth following it through.

    Good luck with going wigless if you make that decision.  Which Crown Casino do you work at?  

    Wishing you stress free final radiotherapy and that your skin continues to behave itself for you.

    Look after yourself, lots of love, Mich xoxoxox

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    Member
    12 years ago
    I found transitioning back to work surprisingly difficult. Very weird mix of conflicting emotions. Good luck to you. walk proud and tall without your wig xxxlouie
  • Stemgirl's avatar
    Stemgirl
    Member
    12 years ago

    Congratulations on the new hair cut. How liberating. I remember years ago when I wore a long wig at the age of 16 due to chemo....I took it off when my hair was still very short and an old lady at church berated me for cutting off all my hair. I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd been wearing a wig! Have fun tomorrow.