It's horrible being scared and the unknown does not help.
Im the biggest feartie on the planet but I found the radiologists really put me at my ease, they were so empathetic
If you are scared about being unable to hold your breath after being told to do so then have a wee word with radiologists before you start as there are 2 of them on duty and usually women like us and they do try and put you at ease.
Also you can speak to the machine in a normal voice and the radiologists can hear every word you say as it's all amplified,
They will explain this to you before the machine is started up to deliver the radiotherapy treatment.
I hope this puts your mind at rest describing what it's like having the treatment
Yes to be honest I am a bit disappointed it's panned out the way it has but that's the cards I've been dealt and I'm going to play them.
I am given a radioactive tag as it's instead of the dye as I had a full blown anaphylactic shock a couple of years ago after being stung.
So to reduce this happening during my operation the dye is not being given and the radioactive tag inserted so it's a bit like a beam guiding the surgeon to where the tumour margins are compared to the contrast dye usually used to show surgeon the margins of the tumour so they take out what's needed.
The surgeon waves a wee wand over it and I sound like one of the Klangers who had a tv show in the 1970s.
Sausage you make me laugh though so comical and positive, right I understand the dye part now so when will your operation be ? Will you have chemo now or just radiotherapy again xx
I had a magseed (I think this is the same thing as you are having). Inserting it was really straightforward, less intrusive than any biopsy so hopefully it will be fine for you too.
What Lara said about the breathing is correct - when it's on the left breast you have to breathe in deeply and hold your breath for the duration of each zap to ensure your heart is out of the way. Sounds worrying but they know what they're doing. I was told if I couldn't cope with the breathing there was other options for how they do the radiotherapy so talk this through with your team if you're really concerned.
Operation scheduled for 18 November and it's squeaky bum time for my dear self!
I lost faith in the oncologist who categorically stated my first tumour was very low risk yet on Friday I was informed I've got Triple A negative breast cancer in my left breast which should be a riot.
Consultant taken aback by my demand for a different oncologist but in light of the massive boo-boo unfolding since last March 2022 I assume Im having radiotherapy as that is what breast surgeon stated on Friday,so I will wait to see how tumour removal pans out and which new oncologist I am allocated.
Everything moving very quickly in NHS terms as going for a pre assessment appointment this Friday for an hour with nurse at local hospital.
Next Monday it's a visit to an anaesthetist for 15 minutes to see if I have deteriorated somewhat since last year!
So it's all systems go! Im not really thinking about it much as kept busy as it is.
I'm shocked cause i thought triple negative cancer would be chemo I thought that was a faster grower my freind has it but she had 16 chemo sessions lumpectomy and now 5 radiotherapy sessions next week then starts another 6 months of chemo hers is in the right breast xx
I would ask that question about the triple negative good that they are moving quick for you so they should as you shouldn't be in this position it's the negligence that has put you back hun xx but you seem so positive bless you x
I am at times consumed with anger and my poor husband bears the brunt of it and here is me blaming the letrizole that brings on symotons resembling a menopause on speed it's so wild.
I will see how it pans out especially regarding change of oncologist before I start to boil my onion.
I think they could be a bit wary of me seeing I was a professional colleague of sorts working in the NHS
