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Beckyvdb's avatar
Beckyvdb
Member
5 months ago

Radiotherapy (5 weeks)

If you haven't been through it yet and are worried, please don't. 
It sounds much worse than it is. 

The receptionists, nurses and radiographers are really lovely. 
It doesn't hurt.
It doesn't take long.
I was in and out within an hour or less. 

My boob was a bit itchy throughout the treatment and became redder as the treatment progressed. But it wasn't sore. I felt tired for about 30 minutes after the treatment. 

The first week after finishing radiotherapy, you could clearly see the area and a clear line where the radio was targeted, it was a bit bumpy but not blisters. 

From the beginning I put sorbelene on twice a day until my friend told me about Tallow cream, I alternated them at first but after a while just used tallow because I found the sorbelene made me more itchy. 

Second week after finishing; there where a few changes to my skin. It was the same as the after ejects of sun burn without feeling the burn. My skin turned a darker brown, then peeled back to a nice tan colour. 

I've had quite a few headaches since finishing radiotherapy but I get migraines anyway so it could just be normal for me. 

I wish you all the best throughout your journey with breast cancer. I hope I have helped to take some worry out of the whole experience. 

Think happy thoughts, love Becky
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  • Beckyvdb's avatar
    Beckyvdb
    Member
    3 months ago
    Also, I should have mentioned that you do need to rest up after the lumpectomy and dissection. Do the exercises they give you, but don't work too hard early on. I made the mistake of carrying something heavy on the second day which didn't help the stitches repair. I was surprised at how good it all looked, the surgeons are amazing, you can hardly see my scar now. I wasn't in much pain, just numb under my arm from the lymph dissection, where they cut the nerve, which is back to normal now. That was the worst of the pain, it was like a chaffing sensation.  I didn't need the strong pain killers. I just took paracetamol for a few days, and Senacot to counter the effects of the paracetamol. Again, you'll know how you feel. Keep smiling. You are part of a very elite club. X
  • Beckyvdb's avatar
    Beckyvdb
    Member
    3 months ago
    Dear @TanLovering ...I didn't drive myself, as was lucky enough to  stay in Adelaide with some friends. We were working in the Clare Valley at the time of diagnosis. However, I walked back to their house several times, which took about 45mins, I did drive myself a few times but it was only a 15 minute drive. I didn't need an afternoon nap and was a bit bored.  Like you say, you won't know until it happens. I'm still feeling fine and had no further side effects. I wish you all the best. Make sure you take full advantage of the situation and take a break from work if you can. You'll never have such a good excuse! X
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    3 months ago
    @TanLovering ...  Definitely contact PATS about accumulated kms, even tho it isn't 100k each way, as you'll be doing 600k a week (Mon-Fri) 'x' ie how ever many weeks you'll be having (eg 3,000k over 5 weeks.)

    Ask your Onc how many weeks you'll be having too.
  • TanLovering's avatar
    TanLovering
    Member
    3 months ago
    Oh my gosh thankyou so much.  We are only 60Kms from RAH so its just going to be part of the story, part of the journey! There are comfy armchairs scattered around the atrium area there so I might be able to sit there till feel ready to get going. I appreciate you mentioning strata x and mepitel too I will ask him for sure. Oh I feel so much better just knowing a bit more information and tips :)
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    3 months ago
    All the best for your appointment tomorrow @TanLovering.  Personally, I found the Rads to be the easiest of the lot.   But ask your Onc if Mepitel or Strata X might be suitable for your treatment, as it can protect the skin from burning.  Sometimes, it is not suitable due to the location & type of surgery.  Also ask which creams & gels they recommend - Moogoo is one of the favoured ones on the forum but there are many more.  Just make sure you do it often after each treatment - usually not before tho!

    Some members have driven themselves to & from work to the treatment ... so it is 'doable' - but see how you go. 

    You should be able to claim for fuel compensation if the treatment is 100k away or more .... I was able to stay at the hospital lodge that was near the Cancer Centre when I had mine & only went home on weekends.  Where abouts is your treatment?

    Here's the link to the Sth Australian Patient Travel info (you may need your Onc to sign off on them) - ask them about it, so they can sign it tomorrow. They can print them off from here:  www.pats.sa.gov.au ;

    Take care & all the best

    You may like to ask the PATS site about multiple trips within a certain time frame, as you'll be going Mon-Fri, probably for 2 weeks or more - and the Kms add up.


  • TanLovering's avatar
    TanLovering
    Member
    3 months ago
    Diagnosed Nov 24 with S2 IDC and DCIS. Thank you so very much for your post. I have my first radiation oncologist appointment tomorrow to find out what treatment I'm doing after my lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. I have no idea what to expect but reading your experience has put me at ease :) Interesting to know that you got tired straight after too.... It'd be so much easier driving myself as we live over an hour away and have our own business.... I could get a cuppa after and just wait til I feel better. I guess I won't know how I'll react until the time. Did you drive yourself? Tania :)