Hi @Litchielou, 

Thinking of you today. Hope everything goes so well with your treatment. 

Finished my 5 sessions of radiotherapy (after a long wait) a week ago. Still coping with the effect of radiation but I’m doing well as I drink a lot of water (3 liters or more a day).

26th March will be my phone call appointment from my oncology. Just passing 3 months ago since my diagnosed of BC and all the treatment has been done, now I feel I can slowly put  the anxiety behind and look forward with great expectation. I know this is a long journey for us who got  cancers but we need to face and think positive at all times. Take care and keep safe. 

Sending you my love and best wishes. X

LL2011

Hi @Jolamine, 

Hope you are doing well and keep busy with your daily routine.

A week ago after I finished 5 sessions of radiotherapy, it looks like everything goes so well. But yesterday I really felt so down not able to do things I normally do on day to day basis. Really knackered and I just want to lie down or sit down and do nothing! Do you think it’s still the effect of radiation? But during my ongoing treatment I didn’t feel tired at all only yesterday.The radiographer mentioned that it takes at least 3 weeks the radiation stay in our system  or in treated area. I am okay today and manage to do some washing. 

Got a letter yesterday for my oncology appointment on the 26th March. This is a phone call appointment, so far no hospital appointment which is good.

I emailed my Physiotherapist and ask if I have a chance to see her again in person. I really need her because of my stiff and painful shoulders. 

Take care and keep safe. X

LL2011

Hello @Md18, 

Thinking of you today.  Hope you are doing well and finish your treatment.

 Be strong and always think positive. You are not alone. It is always nice to chat with people who experience similar health problem as they always understand how it feels like having a cancer.

Done my rads last week and now start my long journey of 5 years contract of Tamoxifen and mammogram annually. If you need someone to chat with please don’t hesitate to pop in and I will always here for you. 

Best wishes and Take care. X

LL2011

[@lagerlime2011]‍ 

Thanks for your message. 

I went to see my oncologist last Friday, I've been told that I don't need chemotherapy. She is referring me to get radiotherapy. I'm also been prescribed Letrozole which I started that evening. 

My CT scan showed cysts on my liver and at the top of my spine which they don't seem worried about. Bone scan is at the hospital on Thursday.

It's only 2 months since my diagnosis. It seems like it is happened to someone else as it's been so busy.

Don't know when I'll be having the covid vaccine.

I'm glad you have finished the radiotherapy. And yes it's now time to recover and concentrate on something other than cancer.

Take care

Litchielou x

Hello @Litchielou, 

Thank you for your prompt reply! Much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to write to me. 

I’m glad you finally see your oncologist and that you don’t have to undergo chemotherapy. At first during the phone assessment I was ask if I will go for further treatment of radiotherapy or not. I was surprised knowing that patients can refuse the treatment offered by the breast team. Me ang my husband decided to go for the radiotherapy so that that will give us peace of mind. Because refusing treatment will put us at risk of recurrence in the future. And I know they know what is the best treatment for us base on diagnosis. 

I was not told if there is any problem with my CT scan but I will ask my oncologist once I talk to them on the 26th March. I’m sure there is no problem, if there is, they should have told me.

I contacted my Physiotherapist and book an appointment if she can possibly see me again and teach me more about shoulder exercises. Recently I’m struggling coping with the excruciating pain in my shoulders down to my elbows. I think this is due to my osteoarthritis plus recently had lumpectomy and that make the pain even worst. I search in YouTube about exercise for stiff shoulder and I come across to the NHS Post Radiotherapy Breast Cancer Exercises and do the routine. It helps but I need more routine to ease this throbbing pain in my shoulders and arms.

Before and after your radiotherapy make sure you drink a lot water. I have water in the car, once I get inside the car I drink water at least 2 glasses before going back home. (My husband is my driver) People undergoing rads they complain about being knackered for weeks. So far I don’t experience extreme fatigue maybe because I drink a lot of water at least more than 3 litres a day to keep me hydrated. Radiation stays in our system up to 3 weeks so that means you need to drink more liquid. (Water, juice, tea, coffee,milk) I also bring lotion with me, after the rads before getting dressed I apply lotion E45 in my treated breast so the skin won’t peel off and get sore. Radiation can damage the skin, it turn red like sunburn. 

This is all for now. Best of luck to your treatment soon. Please keep posting here if you can. 

Sending virtual hugs. Keep safe X 

LL2011

[@lagerlime2011]‍ 

Oh that sounds painful in your shoulder hopefully the physio can help.  My only ache is in my arm. The nurse thinks a muscle was pulled during the second operation. So every time I do my exercises it's hurting again.

I was surprised when I was told it was up to me to have the second operation. Like you I want everything that they can do to help me.

On Friday it was my descsion if I wanted to carry on with radiotherapy or just go to the tablets. They are the experts in my treatment.

Good luck with your treatment and let's hope you get good news in march.

Thanks for the tip of drinking more water etc. And I have already got the e45 cream.

Take care

Litchielou x

@Litchielou, 

Hi,

That’s good you decided to go for whatever treatment they offer you. They know what is good for us. Our breast team got  our NHS number and for sure they check our health history. At first I am thinking to refuse radiotherapy because I know there is side effect of it. Since I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis last November 2020, (before I was diagnosed with BC the following week) I am concerned that radiation might damage my collar bones and ribs make it more brittle.

 But according to the nurse I’ve talked to during pre-assessment prior to my breast operation, nowadays radiographer knows how to treat individual base on the type of cancer and diagnoses. They are thorough and only treat the affected areas to avoid damage. That’s why I decided to go for the radiotherapy then Tamoxifen. 

You are right. They are the expert of treating patients so they know what is the best treatment for us. They won’t offer us if they know our life will be in danger. 

Hopefully before my oncologist appointment over the phone by the end of March everything goes well with me. So I can put all the stress and nightmare behind me and started to go back to normal stress-free life. 

Water really helps our system after having radiotherapy and keep us hydrated and help us fight against extreme fatigue. I have been drinking a lot of water for years now. I have high blood pressure and it’s controlled with maintenance, statin. 

Keep safe and start drinking a lot of water/liquids everyday in preparation for your coming treatment.

Good luck. X

LL2011

Hello again @Jolamine, 

I feel a lot better since yesterday and back to normal routine doing household chores.

I am taking Tamoxifen and going to finish my second pack this week. Meaning nearly 2 months of taking this medication.  So far I don’t feel any difference before and after taking this. My appetite is normal, I don’t feel nausea, sometimes my sleep is not good but some nights it is okay, except this aching shoulders which is before I was diagnose with BC I have stiff shoulders already. It just feel worse after the lumpectomy.

I got a reply from my Physiotherapist and for the second time she refused  not to treat me but she said she is happy to recommend me to the “breast cancer physio team” as they are the one expert to help my problem. 

When I spoke to my surgeon and told me about the  plan for treatment, I mentioned that I have stiff shoulders. Before having lumpectomy in December my Physiotherapist discharged me and mentioned that the oncologist have breast cancer physiotherapist team which my surgeon denied of having these therapist but  instead suggested me to go back to my Physiotherapist. Now my Physiotherapist said she will refer me to the ‘breast cancer physio team’. I don’t know where to go as people are pushing me back and forth!! I am like sitting on a rocking chair!! 

I don’t bother contacting them anymore! Too much hassle! I found this in YouTube =  “NHS = The Christie NHS Foundation Trust......... Radiotherapy Exercise Class for breast cancer patients”  The routine exercise of this video is what I am doing 3x a day and it help. I will carry on searching for more trusted website for stiff shoulders exercise. 

I have maintenance for high blood pressure, Amlodipine and Atorvastatin, Vitamin D Stexerol-D3 1,000IU, food supplement Spirulina and lastly Tamoxifen. I mentioned these medication with my surgeon. 

Since I am not working I have more time to do exercise. I am watching my diet. I abstain from eating sugary food, alcohol and red meat. (I am not very fond of eating meat) Hopefully weather is good so we can go for a long walk. 

Soon we can meet our friends and love ones when all the restrictions will be lifted. We are in Southwest of England. Different part of the UK has different rules to follow. 

Thank you and take care. X

LL2011

Hi Lagerlime,

I am glad that you felt a lot better today and are back to doing your usual chores. Don't upset yourself if you get some bad days as well. Just let your body rest until you are ready to get into the fray again.

I am sorry to hear that your physio wasn't willing to see you again. Has she referred you to the "breast cancer physio team"? Let her do this and see what happens. Having sore shoulders and arms won't be very condusive to a good night's sleep.

I am glad to hear that you are watching your diet, as you may find that you put on some weight with Tamoxifen. It is also reassuring to know that you have duscussed all of your medication with your consultant, as many people don't think to mention homoeopathic or alternative products. It will be great when we can all get out for a walk again. In the meanwhile, try to keep up with the exercises you have.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx