A day in the life of a radiotherapy patient

Hi Meg

Not long to go now... I am now up to my 26th Zap our of 35 with 4 more to go and then the 5 days of Boost. 

I am so grateful that I read your journey with Radiation Therapy.  It was amazinglly discriptive so much that when I commence radiotherapy I felt as if I had been there before.  I knew exactly what to do and what was going to happen, from the gowns to the numbers and noises,exactly as you discribed to a T. Amazing..thank you so much, I loved your diary.

My treatment has been very kind to me so far. Only the past week my breast is looking really sunburn, a little swollen and tender but that is it.  I had Staph over my chest, both sides (not from the radiation) so that took my mnd of my breast for a while. That was causing more pain than the treatment. All gone now which is great so back to dealing with the red breast. I too have  the tender feeling under my arm and a bit itchy like prior to the cancer being diagnosed. I feel my breast pulling more now over the past few days when I am positioned for treatment but I just keep doing the exercies, which mind you I do forget to do. They seem to be working.     

I tried using Bio oil when I commenced treatment but that created friction so stopped that.  I have just been using the QV cream which is usually cold and refreshing and seems to be doing ok. My breasts (both) have never had this much attention or moisturizer in their 56 years of life.  lol.

Struggling with the night sweats and chills during the night and hot flushes during the day. I had the night sweats and flushes when I went through early menapuase some 15 years ago (due to hysterectomy at 36) but never like these ones. I am assuming this is because I am taking Tamoxifen for 5-10 years, I dont think I will be able to handle the sweats/chills for that long.  I spend most of my time either stripping off due to a bad flush or rugging up because of the chills.  My Oncologist has suggested taking Evening Primrose or sage tea. He said he has heard they can take the edge of the flushes and chills. Even if it takes a little bit of the edge off I will be happy.  I must get some tomorrow and fingers crossed it works.

Anyway, enough about me, I hope you are doing well and take care of yourself Meg I am thinking of you. You will breeze through the next 3 years with a an unbelievable outcome.  'All Clear'.

Keep smiling and remain positive as you always are as the world is our oyster. xx

Neen