15 days into my rads...

Hi @Chelley59,

Great that you are nearly finished!! I have 6/25 radiotherapy treatments to go. Cannot wait...I have just made my medical oncology appointment for 2 weeks time to discuss hormone therapy. My bloods show post menopausal so will likely be AI for me. Reading all about them on here does not make me look forward to it one bit! I already have terrible menopausal symptoms and have read that they can either make them worse (or 'ramped up') as my surgeon said OR because I have already been through menopause it can be not as bad. What I can see from reading this forum is that everybody is very individual in their experience. I always find it interesting that when I speak to the medical profession (remembering I am one of them), that it is often said to me that I have symptoms that are unusual or worse than most describe-I am a pretty tough nut and I feel like saying that they need to have a look and read some of our experiences on the network to see I am definitely not in the minority!! And anyway-unless they have had breast CA themselves, how would they know?

@arpie I am definitely getting the stabbing pains in my breast, Massive fatigue (have worked every day until today and am a nurse also) and I also have radiation dermatitis which means now my skin is breaking down. I feel like saying 'I can't wait to feel normal again' but I now there will definitely be a new normal for me.

Michelle xx

Gosh @Chelley59   - working thru it as well!!!   Do they cut you some slack if you aren't feeling well?  I hope so.    

Did you get the sharp shooting pains now & then?  I had them for a good few months!  They don't know what causes it either - just a stab out of the blue!  Almost takes your breath away!

If your treatment was around the nipple - were you face up or face down for the rads?  I was face down, as mine was in close to the nipple - and haven't heard of anyone else going face down!!

The nausea could also just be the cumulative & emotional effect of ticking off that box too .... so I hope you are feeling better soon.   Keep up your fluids - this heat is sucking it out of EVERYONE!  My urine was a bit dark last week - a surefire sign of not drinking enough water!   DUH!  (My tabs have given me way more hot flushes again too recently, so even more 'high temps/sweats' contributing to the loss of fluid too!)

My Rad Onc also recommended an oily mix called BOZ (often used for baby rash!) - you need to put a paper towel   (I used damp blue kitchen cloth)  over it so it doesn't stain your clothes - so maybe just use it at night .....

Take care xx

Thanks Arpie..i read your profile...i know all breast ca are different but you are very similar to mine...last day of treatment on thursday yay...ive been feeling nauseas lately and tired but im not sure if its the treatment or just lack of sleep...im working 8 shifts a fortnight as a nurse...so really not much rest inbetween...my boob is hanging in there at the moment..bit sore around the nipple where they are doing boosts...hoping you are doing well...thanks for your advice xx 

YAY!  So you are pretty well finished your rads now @Chelley59 ?   Keep those lotions & potions going for quite a few weeks yet - until you don't notice your boobs are warm - or until any peeling/burns has recovered.  

Your boob will remain hot for some 3-4 weeks & one day, you'll just notice it isn't hot anymore!

With your camping - just be aware that your boob will still be very sensitive to UV rays - so you'll need to wear thicker clothes on top (or UV rated) for a few months at least - especially if you are an outdoorsy person & it sounds like you are!    Enjoy your camping!

All the best for your Hormone blockers & other decisions ...

Well done, girl, take care  xxx

Great news @Chelley59  The end of active treatment is in sight.

Wonderful to hear @Chelley59!

hi im 15 days into my rads..no burns...breast is a little sore to touch...im a nurse and still working but am getting a little pain here and there due to the heavy work...starting my boosts tomorrow for 5 days (electron) hoping this doesnt cause too much distress to my poor nipple but really so far no issues..occasionally tired but could be due to the work and travel for rads...this month has been busy but all good...hormone blockers next and maybe breast recon on my good one to even them up as the right is a lot smaller now...on and upward i say!! back to my camping soon yay x