Preparing for radiotherapy

Thanks Jo.  I am at the point where I am ready to get on with it.  I know it is a bit radical but to cheer myself up and to provide a silver lining, I went and bought myself a new car (a little Mazda 3) to drive to the appointments so I don't have to negotiate with anyone else in the family for access to wheels.  That way I have something to look forward to at each appointment, being driving my new car.  Cheers, Esther

Thanks Jo.  I am at the point where I am ready to get on with it.  I know it is a bit radical but to cheer myself up and to provide a silver lining, I went and bought myself a new car (a little Mazda 3) to drive to the appointments so I don't have to negotiate with anyone else in the family for access to wheels.  That way I have something to look forward to at each appointment, being driving my new car.  Cheers, Esther

Hi Esther, 

Great idea to just look after yourself! The staff (radiologists, BC Nurses, oncologist) where I'm having my Rads have been brilliant. They are so nice and always have a smile. If you get similar staff I'm sure you'll realise you've been worrying about nothing.

I didn't want my story to freak you out, but I think it's good if we hear all the possiblities so it doesn't come as a shock if something isn't perfect. I've now been diagnosed with a staph infection and I'm on cream and antibiotics. It's not pleasant, but as I said in my previous rant, it's not nearly as bad as other stuff I (we) have been through. 

Seriously, compared to the surgery and it's after effects, the radiation is a breeze. It's tedious because you have to do it 5 days a week for weeks! And do prepared to get tired - but it's not unbearable. I think of it as the 'beginning of the end" and can see the light at the end of the tunnel - got to be happy about that :)

Let me know how you feel after Wednesday when you have your tattoos! I'm sure you'll sail through it.

All the best to you and keep smiling.

Jo x

Dear Jo,

Thanks for your long reply - I'm sorry you have a mystery rash!!  I haven't replied sooner because I decided to take a 1 week, pre-radiation break and have deliberately been laying low.

Back at work today, though!

I appreciate your sharing your experience - I have my planning meeting on Wednesday and will tell them I am nervous about the skin effects.  I think during the last week I have come to terms with having the radiation - it just seems so very creepy to submit my body to that but I am not sure why it is any creepier than taking drugs or having surgery.  Just my weird head space I suppose.

I have just about stopped cooking and also given up on doing everyone else's washing so the crew at home know what they are in for!

At this point it is just one day at a time.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers, Esther

Dear Jo,

Thanks for your long reply - I'm sorry you have a mystery rash!!  I haven't replied sooner because I decided to take a 1 week, pre-radiation break and have deliberately been laying low.

Back at work today, though!

I appreciate your sharing your experience - I have my planning meeting on Wednesday and will tell them I am nervous about the skin effects.  I think during the last week I have come to terms with having the radiation - it just seems so very creepy to submit my body to that but I am not sure why it is any creepier than taking drugs or having surgery.  Just my weird head space I suppose.

I have just about stopped cooking and also given up on doing everyone else's washing so the crew at home know what they are in for!

At this point it is just one day at a time.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers, Esther

Thanks for the support Tonya.  It is really helpful to hear how other ladies manage the details of this stuff!  Esther

I had radiation back in 2003 after a lumpectomy.Unfortunately I was in the unlucky 8% who get cancer back in the same spot.(7 yrs later).I hate statistics cos I always seem to be in the minority. Now I'm like you and have very sensitive skin- flush and burn easily.I thought I'd get done like a cooked chook but I was fine.At the half way mark I was quite tired and my boob was glowing like a hotplate but my skin never broke down or blistered etc. I would soak in a warm salt bath every evening,dry and apply either vit e or sorbolene cream. Straight after the zap I would go into the hosp toilets and apply aloa vera gel to my boob then a soft cotton hankie to protect my bra/clothes.At the worst, I was given hydrocortisone cream to apply.Just think back to your teenage years when you had an episode of bad sunburn and that's probably what it's like.For many years afterwards,I found my radiated breast was firmer and felt weird.But at least I had something to fill a bra,not like now.I think with either decision,you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.We have to make awful choices with this bc journey. All the best for the coming weeks.

                                            Tonya xx

I had radiation back in 2003 after a lumpectomy.Unfortunately I was in the unlucky 8% who get cancer back in the same spot.(7 yrs later).I hate statistics cos I always seem to be in the minority. Now I'm like you and have very sensitive skin- flush and burn easily.I thought I'd get done like a cooked chook but I was fine.At the half way mark I was quite tired and my boob was glowing like a hotplate but my skin never broke down or blistered etc. I would soak in a warm salt bath every evening,dry and apply either vit e or sorbolene cream. Straight after the zap I would go into the hosp toilets and apply aloa vera gel to my boob then a soft cotton hankie to protect my bra/clothes.At the worst, I was given hydrocortisone cream to apply.Just think back to your teenage years when you had an episode of bad sunburn and that's probably what it's like.For many years afterwards,I found my radiated breast was firmer and felt weird.But at least I had something to fill a bra,not like now.I think with either decision,you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.We have to make awful choices with this bc journey. All the best for the coming weeks.

                                            Tonya xx

Hi Esther

you're very welcome and I as I stated this is the advice from my radiation nurse but as one of the lovely ladies on this site said to me moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. 

I spent time over the weekends cooking up a storm and freezing meals so that if I didn't feel up to cooking there was good home made food in the freezer for all to access, the current favourite is a lentil and vegetable soup that was super easy and freezes and reheats really well but I also have beef casseroles, italian chicken casseroles and pumpkin soup, pea and ham soup and some really easy baked risottos that freeeze and reheat well.  Oh and curries they work as well.

Good luck with your treatment and yes get your so call "adults" to kick in and do their bit as well.  Rest when you feel like it and take lots of care of YOU.

Cheers Georgie

Dear Georgie,

That is really really really helpful.  I am not worried about the actual zapping - I'm more than happy to take my clothes off in front of anyone and have no problem being prodded and poked.  (In fact, if I really want my kids to go to bed I just start undressing in front of them - works like a charm every time!).

I have been stressing about my skin, though, and your advice sounds really good.  Thanks also for the tip about not 2 hours before the treatment.

At this point I guess I just have to go with it!

I have already got everyone on notice that the cooking/laundry thing is going to come to a screaming halt.  I have 3 theoretical adults at home (16, 20 and 23) as well as a gorgeous hubby, so I've just decided that stuff can be their problem until I feel up to it again. (Who knows, I may choose never to feel up to it again!).

Trying to keep my brave face on today, cheers, Esther