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Did anyone have a bolus during rads?

I had my first rads appointment today and they put a bolus (a thick waxed rectangular shaped fabric) over my breast during treatment. When I asked what it was for they said it intensified the rays. Does anyone have any experience of rads with a bolus a...

Posted by cat107 on Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:00 pm with 8 comments

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Hi again, 2 and a half years on, I still have a feint rectangle on my chest wall from sternum round to my back and although I didn't have very bad skin breakup, it did go red and itchy especially after the rads finished as you continue cooking for a w...

lizcat, Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:55 pm
Starting rads on 8th September too?

Hi I'm back from holiday and had a fabulous 50th birthday party at the weekend. As I promised myself I started tamoxifen after the party. And on Wednesday I have my first of 15 rad sessions. I know a few others start around that time too. How are you d...

Posted by Sussex Girl on Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:55 pm with 0 comments

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Hi I'm back from holiday and had a fabulous 50th birthday party at the weekend. As I promised myself I started tamoxifen after the party. And on Wednesday I have my first of 15 rad sessions. I know a few others start around that time too. How are you d...

Sussex Girl, Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:55 pm
raditherapy planning help please

Hello I have to have rads and am panicking about the planning have heard that you have to have a ct scan and I just wondered what that involved how long it takes and are you inside a machine, sorry to sound such a baby but get in a panic if I am enclos...

Posted by swallowtail on Sat Sep 04, 2010 9:50 am with 15 comments

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Hi swallowtail, I had chest wall radiotherapy after mx last year and I actually found the planning session really distressing. The ct part was ok, just like a big polo mint, but having all those peopl leaning over me really upset me. Everyone was ve...

Annie81, Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:43 pm
Radiotherapy Trials ?

I had my operation 3 weeks ago, now am going on Femara and having radiotherapy, i am going for my planning this week. I have been given the option of going on a trial and wondered if anyone else has done it. I would like to participate, but am a bit ap...

Posted by suffolkgirl on Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:14 am with 3 comments

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Hi I didn't get any side effects from it. Julia xx

rancidtart, Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:50 am
Breath holding for radiotherapy

Hello all. I had my planning session for radiotherapy a week ago and was expecting to start on 1st September. However, I've been contacted by the Royal Marsden to say they cannot go ahead as planned as there is an unacceptable risk to my heart. So I've...

Posted by emmass on Mon Aug 30, 2010 7:18 pm with 1 comments

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I haven't experienced this but I did have radiotherapy at the Sutton branch of the Marsden. To hold your breath shouldn't be too much of a problem because most of the radiotherapy sessions involve positioning your body to line up with the machine; the ...

AlexG, Mon Aug 30, 2010 8:28 pm
Mum's Radiotherapy

Hello everyone, I have just joined the group, however I have been reading the forum for some weeks now and it has given me and my Mother so much help. My darling Mother who is 82 yrs old, is coming to the end of her radiotheraphy sessions, she has four...

Posted by Debo on Sat Aug 07, 2010 3:49 pm with 6 comments

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HI Everyone, Just to let you know that Mum has completed her Rad. sessions. The following week she began to blister badly. The blisters were in a straight line towards her neck and in the middle of her chest. They burst, but thankfully didn't becom...

Debo, Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:53 pm
Radiotherapy on implant??

Hi there i have had a mx at the end of jan, with immediate reconstruction, using an expander implant, followed 2 weeks later with full node clearance. Only the sentinel node was infected.Then i have had fec-t chemo. I fall in the intermediate group reg...

Posted by sharon69gog on Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:46 pm with 4 comments

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Hi Sharon I had 25 sessions of rads with an expander, then had it replaced for a cohesive gel implant a few months after Rads. I had no problems other than tightness with that implant. When I tried to have a nipple done later it wasn't plain sailing, a...

cupoftea, Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:36 pm
indegestion with radiotherapy and tamoxifen

Hi everyone Ive almost finished rads with four weeks done and one to go! I started tamoxifen about seven weeks ago. Now and again I get bad indegestion or irritation where food seems to have a rough job trying to get down and stay down. Like an unc...

Posted by mrs mc on Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:54 pm with 5 comments

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Thank you ladies for your replies and the sound advice on medication and diet. Elinda I have started to take the tablets with more water so thank you. Hope everyone is feeling good today. The sunshine always helps

mrs mc, Sat Aug 21, 2010 10:20 am
advice about radiotherapy please...

I am a couple of months away from my radiotherapy ( should be september). Two more cycles of tax to go first. I am due to have 15 rads plus 4 boosters. But i have a few queries I would be grateful for advice on. Firstly, when can i go swimming again,...

Posted by tors on Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:38 pm with 41 comments

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Hi I have just finished my fourth week on rads and have just one to go. I can honestly say it was a walk in the park compared to chemo. I don't know about swimming but I would advise you to start putting aqueous cream around the area about two weeks...

mrs mc, Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:02 pm
radiotherapy afer mastectomy - why is it not getting better?

Hi Have posed a question about my bra problem on another thread. Kind and helpful answers, so in hopes this might catch someone's eye, here goes. I'm not getting better from radiotherapy to the chest wall after mastectomy which crossed my armpit and ha...

Posted by Karis on Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:17 pm with 5 comments

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Hello. It sounds like a very difficult journey through to this stage, and how you cope with this, I don't know, as just one sore armpit is driving me nuts. Like you, nothing at all was said at any stage. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing with ...

Karis, Thu Aug 19, 2010 9:48 pm
Radio and tamoxifen together

Hi I just wondered whether it is any better to have my radiotherapy over before starting on tamoxifen? I'm due to have 15 rad treatments - not got a date but likely to be early/mid September. I've also been prescribed tamoxifen which I could start str...

Posted by Sussex Girl on Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:18 pm with 8 comments

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Hi SussexGirl, I'm three weeks post mx and have already started on tamoxifen; didn't know you could wait! I'm going to be 'measured up' for rads next monday, and starting 8th September, so hope I will be over any SEs by then. I take T at night as was t...

nidavellir, Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:22 pm
1st radiotherapy session and what a palaver

Went for first radiop session today and spent over 2 hours there and no radiotherapy actually done. When they put on the machine there was a problem as the tattoos wern't lining up. They took me back to the simulator machine where they did my planning ...

Posted by vivrog on Tue Aug 17, 2010 6:04 pm with 0 comments

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Went for first radiop session today and spent over 2 hours there and no radiotherapy actually done. When they put on the machine there was a problem as the tattoos wern't lining up. They took me back to the simulator machine where they did my planning ...

vivrog, Tue Aug 17, 2010 6:04 pm
Skins Coming off my collarbone So Sore... Tips needed

Hi, Just coming to my last 4 days of rads, 36 in total... The problem is my skin is blistered, coming off, red raw patches... I have been given a cream called Jaloplast, but this doesn't seem to be helping. Iv'e just had enough of PAIN lately, this...

Posted by muffett on Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:01 am with 17 comments

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Hi Teresa sounds so sore... compared to my blistered and cracked under my boob where it joins my chest.... went to drs today adn she gave me cream... i have heard aloe vera is really good too... off to buy that tomorrow.... Hope it lets up on you so...

Van, Wed Aug 11, 2010 6:28 pm
RADIOTHERAPY

I am very new to this site and would love to ask for advice I will be starting radiotherapy on the 18th August 3 weeks of IMPORT LOW. I will be attending the Royal Marsden in Sutton everyday for 3 weeks and they told me it will take 15mins, I will be ...

Posted by MOTHER48 on Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:57 pm with 7 comments

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I too had rads at The Royal Marsden and would agree with the others that sometimes you can be waiting around for ages. Sometimes they take a machine out of commission or the have a backlog of patients. The hospital can arrange transport for you if yo...

AlexG, Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:35 am
Help! Radiotherapy rash/spots

Hi, I have decided to come here and get advice from the experts! I asked after my treatment today if there was anything I could use to soothe the red itchy rash/spots that I have developed on one edge of my treatment area.The radiographers looked at me...

Posted by dotchas on Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:07 am with 45 comments

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Hi, Just to say the effects really do continue for 4 weeks after you finish. Despite aqueous cream, and not using any osap except baby soap AND not wearing a bra, my skin finally broke down in a tiny place and I developed an infection on the skin of ra...

Sandripples, Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:12 am
Tattoo removal

Hi, I know there was a thread about having radiotherapy tattoos removed but has anyone had it done lately? The old post mentioned using a core biopsy punch slightly larger than the tattoo and this would result in a scab and then new skin would form. I...

Posted by fitgirl on Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:30 pm with 14 comments

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Hi Erika, Does the leaflet tell you how it is done? Is it by laser or the Core Biopsy punch? If it's the punch then the surgeon should do it for you on the NHS. I would like to know what gives the better result. My rads finish next week and i see my s...

fitgirl, Fri Jul 23, 2010 10:53 pm
How long after the op should I have radio?

Hi everyone, I'm getting mixed messages from my hospital and I wondered if anyone could help me? I had a lumpectomy on 16th June for a small grade 2 tumour. I don't need chemotherapy but I will need radio. The oncologist said I need radio within 6-8 ...

Posted by atomicm on Thu Jul 22, 2010 2:16 pm with 5 comments

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Hi all, Thank you so much for your advice. I've chased the hospital and it looks like I won't have to wait so longxx

atomicm, Thu Jul 22, 2010 3:16 pm
nearly finished rads - when can I have a nice bubbly bath?

Hi there I am coming towards the end of my rads. Had 20 "normal" ones, 1 boost today, and 4 boosts next week and then I'm done with them yippeeee!!! My poor boob though is looking the worse for wear, very dark and very sensitive, although I have sta...

Posted by Spudgirl on Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:54 am with 11 comments

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Hi I am new on this site, but am nearly finished my radio treatment, have been having luke warm baths and have used lavender oil in the bath and Aquesous Cream to wash, then to moisturise. My boob in a little hot and tender, but am fed up with the fact...

Jules16, Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:42 pm
17 Rads done 8 to go

Hi Ladies, More questions!! My breast is now very red/tanned in parts! The shape of the area zapped is quite distinct with straight lines which is noticeable when wearing lowish tops. My question is, does the redness/tan ever fade or go away? I'm hopi...

Posted by fitgirl on Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:33 pm with 3 comments

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Hiya, Yeah the intensive ones were the booster ones where it's a perfect rectangle over my lumpectomy scar, this is the bit you can still see a little bit, but not in tops. The normal rads "tan" has definately faded. Jo xoxo

gremlin, Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:15 pm
'One-shot' intraoperative RT - anyone had it?

my consultant has just told me he hopes to be able to carry out this new technique when I have further surgery next week - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10239478. I wondered if anyone else had had it and if so what recovery times were compared to conventi...

Posted by moomintroll on Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:49 pm with 4 comments

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Another Moomins fan here I always had a soft spot for the Groke :) I think you are so lucky to have been offered this treatment and I wish you well with it.My friend was one of the pioneers and is very well and had a much shorter recovery time than any...

horace, Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:39 pm
Metal free sun cream - recomendations anyone?

A little problem has cropped up and I could use your help ladies. You can guess I'm a gardener, I have an allotment and spend oodles of time there at this time of year. It's so reassuring to be in the great outdoors and gets life back into perspective...

Posted by greenfingers on Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:28 am with 8 comments

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Hi green fingers - in answer to your question as to how people cope with this - I would say, if you can, try not to sweat the small stuff too much. For me, I know I will be under continual treatment for the rest of my life, however long that might be ...

finty, Sat Jul 17, 2010 3:48 pm
what to wear instead of a bra?

Hello everybody, my sister found out yesterday that she has to have surgery followed by a month of radiotherapy. What can I get for her to wear during radiotherapy which will provide support for her E cups? I've thought of a crop top but I'm not sure w...

Posted by kittyhola on Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:39 pm with 11 comments

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Thanks for clarifying the talc question greenfingers. I asked my rad therapists today and both said that it used to be recommended but doesn't seem to be anymore. They felt it was possibly because it was found to be causing skin to get too dry, parti...

Debs4, Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:12 pm
anyone living in merseyside due to start rads 6/8

anyone doin a trip to clatterbridge in 10/12wks time look forward to some company for the ride think it will b a long day

Posted by elaine-r on Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:00 pm with 4 comments

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sounds funny but im looking forward to clatterbridge i feel that the journey is coming to a close fingers crossed still having chemo at the min i have got 2 to go having done 6 already now on taxotere doing surgery when there completed i didnt no they ...

elaine-r, Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:19 pm
hickman line removal

I'm having my hickman line removed on the 9th July and can't wait to look more normal again. No one has said what happens when they remove it other than they give you a local. I was terrified having it put in and I'm much less stressed if I know whats ...

Posted by wriggly on Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:53 pm with 8 comments

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Mine is booked for the 19th July ( i think ) all going well. Thanks to all that have posted i am really quite chilled about it now. Wendy x

pearlysox, Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:06 am
Anyone else starting rads this month (May)?

Just wondering if anyone else is starting rads soon and wants to hold hands? I've had chemo followed by Mx and ANC, had rads planning on monday and starting 1st of 15 sessions at Mount Vernon Hospital on Monday 17th May. Having rads to chest wall, ski...

Posted by 1dayatatime on Fri May 14, 2010 12:47 pm with 40 comments

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Finished my rads in April , I used creams given by my hospital , but was also told by the staff to use Aloe Vera , a good 98% gel , not a cream with loads of other things in it . I found it worked very well . Also , if your skin is really hot and sore ...

jackwagstaff, Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:03 pm

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Forum: Undergoing treatment: radiotherapy