Pippin 24

 Hi piping 24,I see from your comments to your post that you now know you will be having 15 sessions of radiotherapy, and that's the same amount of radiotherapy sessions I had. I went every day for three weeks,but not the weekends. You will be fine,I was asked to have small tattoo dots in black ink to be done aa it waa easier for the radiologist to line you up each day,as ut saves them time. But being on this site ,I noticed some lady's didn't have them,as they didn't want a permanent reminder of seeing those tiny dots on thier body, some did have them and said they were so small ,you couldn't see them, others who had them didn't like them. So I asked the radiotherapy team if it was possible for me not to have them  ,as ud researched and found out it could be done by marking a tape and sticking it on your body where it needed to be. So they said will you just have one,under where your arm will cover it,and we will do the rest with the tape, but you mustn't get the ones with tape wet. So I agreed to that,when I showed I covered the dots with taoe with cling film and tape to stick it to my body, was very carefull not to actualy stick the cling film to the actual tape where the dots were. It worked well and I waa glad I had asked and did it this way. 

You don't really feel anything much,the machine does make a noise but nothing you can't handle.  I used E 45 cream as was suggested by the radiotherapy on my breast, as it does get a bit like mild sunburn after  a while. Yes it does make you a bit tired,but again that was ok,you can still function normally.  Hope all goes well for you .

Hi Jassoscared, thank you so much for your very informative post, it is really helpful. I have got my E45 cream already, so pleased to hear they recommended it to you. I'm not too worried about the tattoos, but will have a chat to them about it. I'm going on Thursday to have the ct scam and markings and will be given a schedule for a couple of weeks time. I hope you are keeping well. Xx

I am so sorry to hear about the losses you have been through, you have certainly had so much to go through, especially when your children were so young. Lovely to hear about your lovely grandchildren, they sound so talented. I have two grandchildren from my daughter, who is my middle child, a girl 7 and boy 5, and they bring me so much joy. My eldest daughter is also trying for a baby, but has polycystic ovaries and so far no luck. Have a son 28 still living at home, would be nice to see him settled with someone. I do find that I feel like a stronger person going through this journey. In the beginning my anxiety went through the roof, but I decided I couldn't go on for months with that level of anxiety. I started walking 2 1/2 miles every day, cut alcohol and made sure I eat healthily. All these changes really helped my mindset too and I have responded really well to treatment. I think these forums are a great way of sharing experiences and you don't feel alone on your journey. It has certainly been really helpful to me. So nice to chat to you, take care. Xx

Pippin 24

I totaly agree with  you,i used to stress at the start but it doesn't help,as what will be will be. It's good you go walking everyday,that's something I should do, I used to with a friend but she moved  and I don't like to go walking on my own, and the weather isn't great,but next summer I'm going to try to oush myself. I've never been a drinker, only used to have a drink if going out, and ive always eaten everything low fat, as i have gallstones, was going to have an operation, surgeon said he would do it  by  keyhole surgery. But I'd had a hernia ooeration previously as my bowel came thriugh the stomach wall ,from my bowel resection so i ended uo having to have it repaired with Mesh,So when i pointed that out to the surgeon he said oh. I cant do it then,you will have to go back on the waiting list to see a specialist  surgeon in that field of surgery, so i waited a year ,and wasn't getting any more problems, so I'd had enough of operations and decided  not to go ahead with the operation. So I still have gallstones. 

I now have been diognosed with a fatty liver and a cyst on my liver.  So I don't eat any red meat,I just eat chickenand some fish cod ,salmon prawns , I eat wholewheat pasta and rice, I don't eat cakes biscuits  chocolate or cheese.  But on very rare occasions I do treat myself to a dessert, like on my birthday,and I did have a glass of white wine. I do eat sugar free/fat free or low fat biscuits , not as nice but it's a biscuit lol. I love cheese ,chedder,edam,brie,yarlsburgh  etc,don't like blue cheese yuk lol,I do miss cheese i always used to buy low fat cheeses. It's Christmas soon,and I will treat myself to some of the things I shouldn't eat,but I won't go overboard, I'll still be cautious, I m not bothered about alchol non alcoholic wine will be fine. Yes grandchildren are a blessing, I was so pleased to become a Nana and  like you ,i agree it's so rewarding.  Hopefully in time your daughter will concieve,but I know how disheartening it must be for all concerned.

I too find this cancer chat a wonderful forum to be part o,but i kniw its not for everyone, my son doesn't even like to talk about it ,he says not for me mum,its done and dusted he finds it morbid talking about it,where as I am very different,im the kinda person that talking to others helps me accept that it's something so many of us go through, and being on here does help, ecspeacialy when we all reach out to others who are just starting on thier journeys on here and ask for some  friendly advice, I guess I just like helping others  by talking if I can. I've written a few poems on here,just find it easy to exoress my thoughts and feelings that way

Yes, it's lovely chatting to you on here too. Take care Xx

Hi, I would definitely recommend the walking, as it's so good for the mindset. Unfortunately I've had to put it on hold temporarily, due to part of my tummy wound from the reconstruction being slow to heal. I'm really hoping I'll be back to it very shortly Maybe you could find a local walking group near to you, I know we have a couple in my area. Sound like you have a really healthy diet, which is always a good thing. I've been a target member at slimming world for 8 years and still attending on a Wednesday  morning. It's great to meet up with others for coffee and share ideas and recipes. The group has also been very supportive, while I've been going through this journey. Although we find these forums really helpful, as you say, it's not for everyone. People deal with things in the best way for them. Xx

Pippin 24,yes i have thought about it,but the groups I've seen around my area all look young and fit,ive judt turned 68 first week of November ,and inthinkni would hold them back,aa i have both knees that the knee caps have  worn away with artherirus. ,which inalso gave in t hands wrists back ,.

But I will try in summer of 2025. I used to belong to weight watchers years ago ,so I know slimming groups are great. Good for you that you  still go and are still maintaining your weight. I used to be a size 8/10 ,but now also size 14/16. I think if incan start walking it will help me to lose a few pounds aa well, as scince being on the Letrazole which I have to take for another 6yrs. Anyway ill say Goodnight now,not goong to become yet though lol. Xx

Hi Jassoscared,  you'll probably find with walking groups, that abilities vary. People often stick with the people of a similar ability. Maybe something to plan for in the Spring. Might be a bit cold at the moment, if you suffer with arthritis. Or maybe consider a walking pad, that you could use at home. I am 62, but luckily don't suffer too much with joint pain so far. Xx

Pippin 24, Hi its good you don't suffer with joint pain ,and yes the winter months make it worse. I donwalk around my living room evety time the adverts are on ,on the tv lol,its surprising how many steps  you can do,just by doing that.  I  will walk more in the summer for sure,just got to push myself next year.  It's really turned cold today ,hearings on and I'm still feeling a bit cold. .I'll see next summer if I can find any one who wants to walk ,if not I'll push myself to go on my own, as I.know it will be good for me. My grandad always used to say to me when I was young, im alright as long as I.keep moving . Lol he's so right about that , and they do say lose it if you dont use it,another true saying . Xx 

My mum always says that saying to my dad, but the other way around. Use it or you'll lose it lol!! Really has turned cold, I really don't like winter, except for Christmas of course! Xx

Pippin  24

 Ha ha maybe I got it wrong ,wouldn't surprise me lol,me neither much prefer summer time. Winters OK ,but cold isn't for me ,I'd much rather be to hot,than too cold.  Snow if it settles does look pretty  but when  it turns to icy  muddy slush not   so much,ok if you dont have to go out in it. Hope we don't get snow like.some places have. Xx

Hey Pippin 24 

I’m also off to my CT scan and radiotherapy planning session tomorrow so would be be good to compare notes, I’m now 9 weeks post surgery and radio won’t be until 12th dec I think - x

Hi Karlywarlyspider, would be great to keep in touch to compare notes. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago, think my radiotherapy will be starting much the same time as yours. Apparently will receive my schedule tomorrow. I have to go to a different hospital for the radiotherapy and not looking forward to the journey much. Will be glad to get it over with though. Good luck for tomorrow, hope all goes well. Xx

Hi Karlywarlyspider, would be great to keep in touch to compare notes. I had my surgery 5 weeks ago, think my radiotherapy will be starting much the same time as yours. Apparently will receive my schedule tomorrow. I have to go to a different hospital for the radiotherapy and not looking forward to the journey much. Will be glad to get it over with though. Good luck for tomorrow, hope all goes well. Xx

Hope you got ok today Pippin?

im also at a different hospital for radiotherapy- it was all fine, just the CT scan and little tattoos (that didn’t hurt) I’ve got to go again on 6th dec for a consent form - why on earth I couldn’t have done it today ♀️

the worst bit was trying to park and find out here to go in the hospital. Jimmys is HUGE!

did get a letter for free parking though, I have my first radio appt but won’t receive the next ones until 6th December ….

Hi Karlywarlyspider, all went well today, I too had the ct scan and tattoos. They got me to sign consent form while I was there. I also got my schedule and start on 5th of December. Last appointment is on boxing day, but phoned when I got home, as can't make that day. They said system was down, so I have to phone back tomorrow. They said it shouldn't be a problem to change it. The only issue is that a lot of the appointments are before 9am, so traffic on motorway could be bad at this time. Will have to see how it goes. I got your friend request and  accepted, not quite sure how the private messaging works, so if I don't respond straight away, bear with me. I'll be glad when this stage is done, not worried about it, but will be tiring. I expect you feel the same. Xx