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Judy_H's avatar
Judy_H
Member
14 years ago

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy finally started this week, not that I was looking forward to it, just that it had been looming in the background for so long. My recovery from surgery was slower than expected and then the waiting period for a slot wasn't until now. I actually appreciated the longer break in between (2 1/2 months), as I got to feel almost normal again before launching into the next stage of treatment. I wasn't really sure what to expect with Radio, but it hasn't been too bad. Some painful twinges and heat mostly at night and some mild redness and swelling. I've been headachey and a bit nauseous the last couple of days, but not sure if that is treatment related or not? Everyone at the cancer clinic is lovely, I have had the best people looking after me all along...what a blessing! The machine seems to malfunction frequently and a couple of days my 15 min apps have been more like 40, due to remeasuring etc. but other than that all is good. 20 treatments to go :)

2 Replies

  • Judy_H's avatar
    Judy_H
    Member
    14 years ago
    Thanks for responding Leonie, always good to hear from people who have already travelled the journey. I have to have 25 treatments and now have 12 to go. Thanks for the advice re moisturising, I have been diligent with this and so far the skin hasn't broken, thought do have some nice tan lines creating a square over the area. I am resting as much as possible but still working makes the days vey long, especially when my radio apps are before 8 am. The light clothing is a good suggestion and I have been mindful of this. Not long now, then hopefully this stage of treatment will be a thing of the past....then onto Hormone treatment (which I'm not really looking forward to). Judy :)
  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    14 years ago

    I am glad that radiation therapy is going okay for you.  How many treatments do you need?  It really does go fast even though it is a pain having to line up each day.  Now I will become the old mother!!!!  Are you making sure you get lots of rest?  Are you moisturising the area at least twice a day?  Before my first radiation back in 2006 I was given such good advice from a friend who went before me.  Because of this advice I had no trouble with blistering or skin breakage.  She told me to put wet washers in the fridge before I went to treatment and on my direct return to put these on my radiated area.  And of course I moisturised, moisturised and moisturised.  I offer this advice to everyone in the hope that they can avoid more pain than necessary.  I also chose to only wear loose cotton cothing near my skin.  I still moisturise this area twice a day.  I never have dry skin as I do the whole body now. Good luck with it all. XLeonie