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Hi Anne,
I've just finished chemo and due to start rads on 15th Feb for 4 weeks.
I've had my first planning and tattoos done but I think my hospital is quite proactive at getting the planning sorted etc.
Hope you hear about your appointment soon!
Axx
Hi Anne and Annie - I've got my planning appt this Thursday and they said they'd give me my appointments then... so I expect I'll be joining you on the Rads bench.
Another new experience to chalk up! Which reminds me - better get on with my stretching exercises...
Sue
Hi,
I start on the 6th Feb. In one way I can't wait.......to get ti over with
Love to hold hands as we go through it.
Lynda
Hi All
Came home yesterday and found the letter on the mat. It contains my whole schedule. First visit with mapping and tattoo's on the 1st Feb and then the rest starts on 23 Feb so It will be almost April before I finish.
Still at least I know when it will be getting underway, a little later than the Onc told me at Christmas but at least it will soon all be over.
I get measured for the prosthesis on the 2nd Feb so 2 visits to my second home next week.
Speak soon
Anne x
Hi all
I think i may be starting Rads in feb too, im due last chemo this friday so im assuming rads will be few weeks after this. Had chat with onc at last appointment and signed rads consent forms etc so just waiting for my info. Im weirdly looking forward to starting too only because i will feel like im on the home stretch and boy has this road been looooooooooooooonnnnnngggggggg
Clare x
That is how I have looked at it Clare the last leg of a long journey.
Good Luck
Anne x
Hello!
I will have my last chemo Feb 8, so I expected rad app to be a few weeks after that, but my first is March 7. Don't know yet how long it will be before they start, but reading yours about them giving you schedule ect. I will call them up and ask/push. Thanks! Also looking forward to it starting so it will be over soon!!!
Malin
x
Hi,
Im seeing the onc this Friday - so am hoping to get started asap in February. There is a small possibility he may decide to give me chemo after all - surgeon said I didnt need it, but it was up to the onc at the end of the day. So if I do have chemo, it seems that goes first, from reading posts here. I just want to get started - Im fed up with telling work etc that Im still waiting to get started!
kaj
xxx
Hi all,
Just had some good news from the hospital. My oncologist has finished the planning early and I now start on the 31st Jan.
At lease the waiting is nearly over.
So Lynda
are you staying on the feb thread or moving to the Jan thread? Decisions decisions...
I'm waiting to know when my rads will start hoping it will be february and not delayed til March! (Also hoping i dont have to have chemo first) wont know til 6 Feb..........
Mary
Thanks Angel and you x
Good luck to all starting soon. Seems to me we all cant wait to get started, it will soon be here x
Kaj - best of luck for your appointment friday x
Hi Mary,
If it's Ok with everyone I will stay on the Feb thread as my journey will be closer to yours.
Don't you just hate all this waiting around. 6th Feb is a long time to wait isn't it, is that to find out how many of your nodes were affected?
Lynda
Hi Lynda
A day doesn't make any difference does it? You'll be able to give us all your experience, so we know what expect!
I'm off for my simulation on the 1st, picc line out on 2nd so until then it's getting over the chemo!
Axx
Lynda
Yes 6th feb is when i find out ...it is a long time.
Mary
Mary
Yes, I sympathise, the waiting for results feels like forever I remember. To comment on your other post I htink you should get it checked out, red and hot sounds as if it could be an infection so best to be sure.
Annie, thanks. I am looking forward to starting, but scared in a weird way not of the Rads, but of possible side effects. I think once it starts at least I will be able to just deal with whatever happens. Hope you are not feeling too bad after chemo.
Not sure what happened to my original post but anyway just wanted to share as I have just started rads on Wednesday. Had 3 out of 18, all pretty painless and very very quick. In and out in about 20 mins and most of that time is spent adjusting the machine and checking measurements. The zapping itself is just a few moments.
I have used aqueous cream for the last 2 weeks to prepare the skin but don't lather it on. A thin layer well rubbed in twice a day is what was suggested and make sure you cover the areas all around the chest/armpit area too. I also only use simple or sanex zero shower gel and no deodorant now I have started treatment. Back to being paranoid about wiffing!
Hope this helps with the waiting....that's the bit that I hate too....Zax
Hello everyone!
I went for my Rads planning today and have my five tattoos. My start date is February 7th and I will be having 15. Aqueous cream purchased from Sainsbury's and I will start slapping it on tonight.
Debbie
Well do I win the most tattoos prize? I have 14! Haven't yet worked out how to join them up to write a rude word.
First session on Weds. Only worried about the side effects that might happen after the last appt as I think everyone I work with/talk to assumes that everything will be automatically hunky dory and I'm pulling a fast one when I say people can have fatigue after the treatment is over.
I got my phonecall confirming my planning appointment is on thursday so im getting there. Sure feels good to be moving on to next step x
Zax, thank-you.
I start tomorrow and was feeling a bit nervous, but feel a better having read your post.
i too have bought the cream and simple soap. I have been using Aloe Vera cream since my op but will switch to the aqueous stuff while rads are going on.
Lynda
Hello Februaries,
I am actually a Januarier (started today) but thought I would just let you know what happened. I was really nervous and very wobbly and hate to say it burst into tears when I had a little prezap chat. This I think was total nerves and fear of the unknown. The zap itself actually went really well and the lining up of tattoes and getting me into position was fine - so don't worry. I have no 2 tomorrow and feel much more settled about things. Best of luck to everyone xx
You're welcome LakesLover and Cosmic makes a really good point. The treatment is relatively ok but my emotional elastic went TWANG on my first day too. Caught me by surprise as I thought I was on top of things but nope, had a little meltdown but not just any meltdown of course......it was an M&S meltdown.....in the underwear department! I really do know how to make an idiot of myself...
Anyway long story short be prepared for the old emotional Wobblies! Be thinking of you....Zax
4 down
14 to go
To Zax, Thank you for your post. Due to start Rads tomorrow. Been today to get machine set up and for skin care advice. Been advised may get some tiredness but hope ok as just gone back to work. Feeling ok about tomorrow from other posts. Staff in radiotherapy unit lovely which helps. Pleased you said ok using SANEX 0% as I have been using that but hospital said to use only simple soap or baby soap.
Hi,
Just to say first appointment today was fine. I have managed not to meltdown yet.......well not for the last 2 weeks anyway
Lynda
Room for a little one? Start my rads on 7th, got my little dot tattoos at the ready!! Little bit nervy and I'm wishing you and myself minimal se's!! Simone xx
I've noticed that some ladies are buying aqueous cream when usually your hospital/clinic should be giving it to you free of charge, if not then get it on prescription, as when you are having treatment for breast cancer you are entitled to free prescriptions. I know it's not very expensive but over a matter of time for some people this can mount up.
First rads done - and guess what they've drawn all over me again - I think so they can find the tattoos - and asked me not to wash the marks off... some of which are visible with clothes on (and trust me, it's not a low neck-line).
Oh well, it's only so they zap me in the right place I know.
An OK experience, even found a parking space without trauma.
Its hard not to be paranoid and think is my skin hot? Am I feeling tired? all the time - I'll have to distract myself as it is stupid worrying about something that might not happen.
Hope everyone is OK today - lovely blue sky today here so hope you have all had a lift.
Sue
Hi Sue,
I think I am as paranoid as you
I kept feeling myself yesterday trying to decide if it was hot!!
Second zap today was a quick as the first, and they were running to time again. So far so good.
Lynda
Hi Everyone
I got measured up today ready for treatment. I don't start until 23rd so just have to turn up on the day now I guess.
Not sure how many tattoos I have 4 I think.
Hospital again tomorrow to get the falsey fitted, should be fun.
All the best
Anne x
Morning Ladies, it's the Paranoia Police here with the latest update;-) Session No 6 today and pleased to report after much groping and checking no hot boob yet and skin feels OK. On the whole feeling well although did feel a little drained yesterday afternoon which am told is quite normal as the treatment has a cumulative effect. I've self-prescribed more sofa and PJ time!
Thx Simone for the reminder about free prescriptions, I forgot about that. Good luck for the 7th, I think there are a few of you starting that day.
Hope you all have a good day today....Zax
Hi ladies, I too was measured up yesterday and have my 4 tatoos and treatment starting 28th as wound not fully healed. I was just wondering do you prepare a few days beforehand with the acqueous cream and has anyone used the 99% aloe vera gel?
Glad to hear no bad side effects for your guys and hoping I will be the same.
Take care
Lisa