[@JulesW]‍ 

Thanks for the info regarding radiotherapy. I'm still doing the exercises. How many days will your radiotherapy be over. That's why we go through this process to protect against cancer returning. Hopefully they have better music when I go for my planning. I remember once supposedly having a relaxing facial, the music was dolphins singing. I came out and wanted to scream .

This week I feel great as though I've never been ill and my heels have recovered glad I made you laugh. Laughter is sometimes lacking at the moment.

Listen to your body if it craves a rest do so. Cry and shout if you need. As one day this will be in the past and we can get on with the rest of our lives.

Good luck with your treatment and let me know how you get on.

Take care

Litchielou x

Hi [@Litchielou]‍ 

Hope you're doing ok. I hope your bone scan results were as good as possible, your heals have healed (!) and you might even have a date for your radiotherapy. I forgot to say they might need to do a mould at your planning session. Something they need to do to provide support for larger breasts during radiotherapy (not something I needed!)
I had my first radiotherapy appointment yesterday. I'm on the accelerated version so it'll only be 5 sessions with increased dose. It was ok and only took 20 minutes. I felt a bit emotional (caught me off guard as thought I had that in check) I think it just made it all feel so real again! But the process itself was all ok. I think I'm more fascinated by the science and technology behind it. Amazing stuff.

If you're driving or being driven to your appointment, find out if there is patient parking for radiotherapy. It is often free and some hospitals have dedicated spaces. I had to ring the hospital when I arrived and wait a few minutes in my car until they were ready for me due to Covid restrictions. Then went straight in, temp check, answered the usual Covid questions, was shown where to go, greeted by the radiotherapist who did the usual name, address, date of birth checks and then straight in to get changed. I had to keep lower clothes on and put gown on tied at the back. I have learnt to take a fold up bag with me to put my clothes in and to take as little as possible in with me so I can easily take everything with me into the treatment rooms. I went straight in for treatment. They were lovely, 2 radiographers who again checked name, address, date of birth and then took a few mins to move me into the right position on the bed, arms supported in stirrups and foam wedge under knees, lined up with the tattoo dots, They then left the room and the treatment started. They explained they can still see and hear you and said to raise a hand if I needed anything, It's just a big machine (mine was a bit like an x-ray not a tunnel like a scan). It slowly circles around you. It gets near to you but does not touch. Really didn't feel anything at all. Then the radiographer came back into the room and explained I needed to wait until they said to get off the bed because it is raised up so I waited another few seconds and then was free to leave and get changed again. I was surprised how quickly it was all done. The only thing I had to do was keep still. They were playing Surfin' USA so I was very focused on not tapping my feet or jiggling to the music! I was in and out in about 20 minutes. 1 down and 4 to go
I fell asleep yesterday evening after treatment and then didn't sleep well last night but I'm sure that's an emotional thing rather than any physical side effects. They said the physical side effects, if we have any, peak about 10 days after the final treatment as there is a cumulative effect. Not everyone gets them so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for us all.

The top advice seems to be to keep doing the exercises for arm movement and to help with the scar tissue, and moisturise, moisturise and moisturise making sure you go around to your side and back as far as you can reach, up towards your neck in a vertical line across from the armpit to the centre of breasts as this is the area that will be zapped. I've been using E45 and they said that is fine but it would also be ok to use any usual moisturiser that isn't overly perfumed. Some hospitals will advise specific creams like dermol. Only a thin application when you get up on the day of treatment and then as much as you need after, applying gently. Ok to shower as needed. Advised to pat the area dry after a shower not rub. I was told it's ok to use usual shower gels, deodorants as long as not too perfumed but to advice from the team if it becomes very sore or blistered which can happen occasionally. They can then advise or prescribe creams.

I'm back again today for another session and then the same again on Monday to Wednesday next week.  They are doing my sessions on 5 consecutive days but not at the weekend (or on bank holidays). They said my Wednesday appointment will take a little longer as I will also have a review meeting to discuss side effects and any further treatment (I'm hoping both will be none!) I'm looking forward to it all being finished.

I do hope you're doing ok. Take care xx

[@JulesW]‍ 

Thanks for your reply and advice to what will happen. I haven't got big boobs so I don't think I'd need a mold. My heels took ages to repair. I'll be wearing sandals next time as the unit is a long way from the front door. The parking is only £1.50 per day and the first 30 minutes is free.

I'm having my planning meeting on Wednesday 31st march. I do know that when it starts my radiotherapy will be over 3 weeks Monday to Friday. I presume it's to protect my heart as the cancer was in my left boob.

I've already started to moisturise and drink more water. (Side effect is getting up more in the night)

I'm hoping that everything is over by the middle of may as that's when I'm having my hair cut and coloured . Just got to have a Bisphosphonate treatment after the radiotherapy. 

Not had any alcohol since this has started. My son and daughter bought me for mother's Day a bottle of champagne to celebrate the end of my treatment so I've got something to look forward to.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment let's hope you have music that won't make you want to dance. 

Take care litchielou x

Hi [@Litchielou]‍ 

Hope your planning appointment went well, you're doing ok on the meds and maybe even have a date for your radiotherapy.
I've now finished my radiotherapy. It was ok and I soon got into the routine. The music didn't improve Surfin USA, Grease, Spice Girls and Cher but all were a good distraction as was the bluebell picture on the ceiling. My emotions were up and down but I learnt to just roll with them. It was easier once I knew where to go and what to expect. They used the same machine everyday so it was always in the same place. I saw 2 different people every day but all were lovely. It only took about 20 minutes each day. I had a review appointment on the last day but this was simply a phone call whilst I was sat in the car park waiting to be called in for my last treatment. Normally it would be face to face but Covid restrictions meant it was another phone call. They simply asked how I was after radiotherapy, I answered ok and that was the review all done. 
I thought I'd be elated on the last day of radiotherapy and celebrate but to be honest I felt strangely a bit flat. Everywhere was shut due to Covid restrictions so I just went home and wasn't quite sure what to do. The radiographer joked about having a bottle of something nice after the last treatment but I'm still completely off alcohol (not a bad thing really) so I just went home and had a cup of tea. I expect everybody feels differently at this stage.
My boob now has a large faint brown rectangle (like a mild tan) in the area that has been treated stretching from under my arm, across to the mid line and down to just under my breast. It's barely noticeable but I'm oddly aware of it. I felt ok for a couple of days after the radiotherapy just sleeping a little more but then found I get waves of complete exhaustion and fall asleep a lot and still sleep all night. I also feel nauseous on and off but I have always felt that when I get over tired and it goes when I sleep. On day 4 post treatment I also got a very itchy rash/lots of little spots over the whole area which I'm slavering with even more E45. It's still itchy and spotty now but is much better than it was and the cream really cools and soothes the itch. I bought 3 x 350g tubs and have used one and a half so far. The hospital said they can prescribe creams if needed but I have found E45 is working for me.
My wound from the op in Feb seems to have healed nicely but is very hard. It is indented which means there's like an overhang of skin above it so it looks more of a V shape. I know this will all fade in time and feel surprisingly at ease about it. My arm movements are good but feel a bit stretched at the extremes so I'm still doing the exercises. My nipple remains surprisingly very tender.
I happily don't think I need to go back to the cancer hospital but have been told I will have an appointment with the breast care unit in 6 weeks time but do not have a date yet. I'm not sure what that is for but am guessing it's a catch up post radiotherapy and may well just be another phone appointment.
I already have an appointment for my yearly review next Feb and will now have reviews/mammograms once a year for 10 years. I think the frequency of these reviews vary depending on hospital/health board.  
I've also happily had my first Covid vaccine (Pfizer). My appointment came in the middle of the radiotherapy sessions. I checked with both the cancer centre and the vaccine centre and was told it was ok to go ahead with it.
I went for a long walk on the beach on Easter Sunday and felt really good for the first time in quite a while but then promptly slept for hours and felt exhausted again. I know the tiredness and rash will pass and am optimistic about the promise of better times ahead. 
I hope you're doing ok. It's such an odd journey. Take care x

[@JulesW]‍ 

Thank you for your message. My bone scan only showed wear and tear of my feet. Not sure what that means as I've never had any problems but I never had problems with my spine which showed up on the CT scan.

I started radiotherapy last Friday 2 down and 13 to go. I'm getting ready for my appointment this afternoon. The one on Friday was quite quick more time was getting me in the right position. Yesterday was strange I was diagnaly under one machine and one at the side. They then took photos and then I was straight under the machine for another 10 minutes. I asked if that was usual but didn't get a straight answer. I might ask again today for an explanation. Last appointment will be 29th April. On the 28th I have an appointment with the consultant.

Like you Ive been smoothering e45 cream all over my chest, boob and under my arm. I'm very lucky that my arm has very good movement.

With regards to the tablets I was fine with the ones given at the hospital (cipla brand) but was given the accord brand from my GP and I had horrendous side effects. Freezing cold and uncontrollable shivers, urine infections and terrible headaches. Spoke to the GP and he gave me another prescription for Cipla. My local pharmacy are very good ringing around the rest of their shops and have got me and put to one side a years supply with my name on, as it's not one that they normally stock. They had just been taken over by another company now they have 230 shops where as before they only had 2.

I was given the astro covid jab 3 weeks ago and my next one is 28th may. More importantly I have an appointment for my hair to be cut and coloured 19th May and a manicure on the 20th. It's my birthday on the 21st and my son is having a BBQ for me to celebrate. I've promised I'll have a glass of champagne to celebrate the end of the treatment. I'm sure after having no alcohol since December I'll be in bed by 8.

Yesterday was 19 weeks since I was diagnosed. I can understand that you now feel lost as it's been a very intense time. Life is now on its way to get back to normal. What ever you do live life to the full. We now understand that sometimes it can change in a blink of an eye.

Take care and if you ever want or need to just chat I'll be waiting

Lind x

[@JulesW]‍ 

Just got back from my appointment. Today I was lucky that 2 people hadn't turned up and so I went in early. I asked about the machines and they explained everything to me. I had today the same treatment as yesterday. Friday was just to make sure that they were correctly lined up. 

Enjoy your holiday to Wales in June. We normally go Tenerife in November but as we are retired can book anytime up to the day before. We are looking to going either somewhere in Cornwall or Brighton in September. Went to Newquay, St Ives the year before last for the first time and loved it.

Take time in returning to work listen to your body.

Take care

Lind x