Hi LynnB

It depends where you are having radiotherapy. You cant feel anything while having the treatment. If you do get any burns the team will give you some cream to apply, at worst its like sunburn, while some people get almost no problems. Any side effects are at their worst in the final week and the week after your treatment finishes. After which you will improve very quickly. Although your visit will be quite quick each time the repetitive journey to and from the hospital gets quite wearying. Report any side effects to the radiotherapists for example nausea they will keep good care of you dealing with any problems you might have. Fatigue is common but not eveyone gets it. Allow time to rest and take things easy. Finally good luck and I hope all goes well for you. Kim

Hi Lynn, we all react differently to having radiotherapy of course but I think fatigue is common to everyone. They are right when they say the effects come on more towards the end and after the treatment had finished so my first two weeks sailed by. For me they kicked in at the start of the third week, not helped by the daily 75 mile round trip! Started turning red then too and "cooked" for another three or four more weeks after that. I had tepid rather than hot showers and sloshed on the cream (diprobase) and 100% aloe vera three times a day to try and calm things down. I also wore soft loose cotton t-shirts and cotton jumpers which helped too. 

Like you, I was nervous before starting, it's the fear of yet another unknown isn't it, but you will quickly get used to the routine and hopefully start chatting to others while you wait your turn and it's surprising how quickly the days speed by. 

All the best for Tuesday and do let us know how you get on.

Take care  Sue xx

Hi Lynn. I start radiotherapy next Saturday having finished chemotherapy three weeks ago. I am feeling nervous about it too. Thank you Kim and Sue for sharing your experiences, Good luck Lynn hope it goes well.

Hi Audrey

Best of wishes for you too. Its sometimes a bit scary when you go into the treatment room first few times, they set you up then leave you for 10 mins or so. But they are watching you all the time, you need simply raise your hand and they will stop the process and attend to you. I am awaiting the start date for another session after recent surgery. The last being 14 months ago, I too feel nervous even though I know what to expect. Let us all know how you get on. Kim
 

Thanks Kim. I went to the first appointment today where they work out where they are going to target, mine is chest and under my arm. I found the ink marks quite painful, although over with very quick. I will keep you updated how it goes. Audrey 

Hi, I had my op last Feb and the 15 sessions of radiotherapy. I used the diprobase cream that I was given, morning and night and only had a slight pinking to my skin. Just treat your skin gently and you may have no problems at all x I am still however feeling exhausted and after being on a 'moving on' course, was relieved to find that others are feeling the same and it's not in my head and I am not being lazy. Hth x

Hi there, I am having 15 sessions also. I have asked to go on the moving on course just waiting for a date. How did you find it? I still feel so tired after chemotherapy. Thank you for the information about the cream x

The first week session was all about  the cancer and how it affects you, the second was Lymphoedema, cognitive therapy and mindfulness. This week was about fatigue and relaxation. There was chances to ask any questions to the nurse and also all the services of Breast Cancer Care were explained and leaflets available.  The best thing I got out of it was finding out that I am not lazy, the fatigue is real and now I think I can deal with it better in my head. The nurse said that fatigue lasts fron 6 months to a year. But I am a year and three weeks after my op and can do things one day, them am shattered the next. So it affects people differently as some of the group had gone back to work.  Be aware that you can get shooting pains on occasion months after the radio finishes, it's the treatment keeping working. Hope this helps  Oh and I took co codamol before I went for my first mammogram 3 weeks ago and survived! Xxxxxxx

Hi again, yesterday I finished a Moving Forward course run by Breast Cancer Care. My op was a year ago tomorrow and, like you Daisyboo, I found it incredibly comforting to know that how I feel at the moment, physically and emotionally,is normal. It was lovely to chat and get tips and help from others on the course as well as from the experts and I only wish I could have gone sooner... take care everyone and good luck with the zapping.  Sue xx