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Mozzie_Bear's avatar
11 years ago

The end of radiotherapy

After eight months of non stop treatment I have come to the end of radiotherapy.  Whooppeeee. 

I can't complain, my skin may red but it is intact.  I took part in a little study at the hospital to see if a plastic film over the breast would help maintain the skins integrity and I do believe for me it has been of benefit.

My skin has been sore but when that happens I just put some more cream on and that has helped enormously.  I have been using a combo of sorbolene and moo-goo.  The radiation will continue to do it's work for another two weeks so I am hopeful for a continued good result.

It was such a relief to finish.  Very emotional.  I put on a morning tea at work for all the people who have supported me and that was even more emotional.  I was giving a splendid speech to thank everyone and they gave me flowers to celebrate the end of my treatment and I completely lost it.  Hadn't shed a tear until then.  Perhaps the floodgates are open now - will have to see.

After morning tea I posted a message on our intranet to let everyone at work know how important their support was in enabling me to be at work and to remind all the girls not to ignore or postpone their breastscreens.  I would like to share some of those  thoughts with you:

I will give you some examples of why being at work has been important to me:

1. I believed everyone when they told me how well I was looking on chemo - the photos I have of that time tell a different story but I thank you for bolstering my spirits.

2. Finding little gifts like the headwear I found on my desk one day - I can assure you it is very hard to find headwear you want to wear.

3. The friendship, the laughter, the jokes, the hugs, the conversation.

4. Amazing people.

Cancer has put colour back into my life - I wish I didn't have cancer but I won't regret the experience because of the lessons learned along the way.

Several messages later, I think Breastscreen Geelong will be busy for a while.  Made me feel it was all worthwhile.  I love that my experience has had a positive impact on others.

Well, my hair is growing back and I have to say I am loving my extraordinarily short hair so much that I think I will keep it.  It is a different colour and I think it is curlier but too short to tell.  My eyebrows are back in full force.  My eyebrows look really black against my hair which is very white with some brown underneath.

I have a whole week off before I see my medical oncologist and then it will be hormone therapy.  I believe the plan will be to go on arimadex.  It's wonderful that before I go on the therapy, I have to have a bone density scan and bloods for vitamin D - for every positive there is a negative impact but as always I will keep my eye on the prize which is of course a long and healthy life.

I don't want to make it sound like nothing bad has happened and it has all been a breeze, it hasn't,  but overall I still consider myself to be very fortunate and that this experience has been a positive one.

Finally, I want to wish everyone all the best with whatever challenges they have to face because we don't know what tomorrow will bring.  Keep smiling. Laughter really is the best medicine.

Maureen

 

10 Replies

  • Good luck for the rest of your radiation.  It is all downhill now.  Maureen

  • Hi Lea-Maree, I didn't really exercise but sweating will cause it loosen as will the shower - in my case I have night sweats and found the top would always loosen before the bottom of the film.  I had mine changed at least once a week and the nurses were more than happy to change as required.  If you want to exercise just go for it and see what happens - you will probably feel better anyway.  good luck with your radiation.  It doesn't take long.  Are you in Geelong as well?  Maureen

  • what a great read, thank you for sharing.  I am just about to start radiation using the skin, I am hoping that it works as well for me.  Did you exercise during radiation, I have been told that exercise that produces sweating can cause the film to peel off.

  • What an awesome post, I am half way through my radiation (luckily I didn't have chemo). It is great to hear your story and it reminds me to focus of the good things that are happening. Cancer has opened my eyes to a great many things and people as I am sure it has for so many of us.

    Cheers Christina

  • Thanks Sylvia, I hope I cope with the arimidex as well as you have.  so glad to hear you are doing well.  I have ended up putting a little bit of weight due to the fatigue so I am making that my next goal - loose a few kilos.

  • Having breast cancer has also made me realize how important it is to look after our bodies with healthy eating and regular exercise. After my lumpectomy and  axilla excision I opted for no chemo as it was of only 2% benefit of having it, but I had 7 weeks of radiotherapy and now am on Armidex for 5 years. It's been 2 and a half years and going well so far. The only side effect on Arimidex is overheating at night whilst sleeping , so don't   Put too many blankets on or overdress. Doing yoga and aquafit keeps my joints agile and by eating foods that keep inflammation away. Good luck with your next stage of treatment. Sylvia

  • thanks Rowdy, I'll be thinking of you - two to go how amazing will you feel soon! good luck

  • Fantastic news it is always good to get to the endof treatment. I have 2 more herceptins to go then I will be giving a cheer.

    I do agree laughter is the best medicine I wouldn't have got this far without having a good laugh. Lucky you my friends at work told me I looked like crap during chemo (all said to make me laugh)

    Good luck with your next step and I hope you don't get to many side effects

  • Thanks Robyn, being a part of this amazing network has also helped me through the tougher days. Maureen

  • This is a wonderful post!!! You have managed to express how many of us feel.I agree with you whole heartedly.I didn't want Cancer either,but the experience has ,for me,had many benefits .All the best as you move to the next step,hormone therapy.I just want to let you know,that my hair was curly to begin with,but I am 16 months past chemo,and the curl has all but disappeared.Stay in touch.Cheers xoxRobyn