How to deal with radiotherapy?

After a lumpectomy I get my treatment results today. Am really scared because they have graded it higher and may need chemo first then radiotherapy. Have been mainly positive but just need a proper route ahead established then I can manage one day at a time. It's difficult to talk to those around you cause you know they are worried too. 

Smacdonald. Beast of luck today. It is scary. But you will get the best treatment for you. I had chemo first then a lumpectomy and the radiotherapy all went very well as I'm sure it will for you too. 

Hi Niki45 all good second last round of herceptin done since yesterday - final round in 3 weeks time.  It's a bit weird coming to the finish of treatment after the last 12 months.  How are things going with you?  Are you totally finished treatment now?

Hi Smacdonald best of luck with your results, it is very scary, however you will get to the end of your treatment.  I had a lumpectomy first then chemo followed by radiotherapy, I had herceptin every 3 week since Feb and take tamoxifin every day for the next five years. The only thing I would say to you is follow the advise the staff give you regards treatment.  Get yourself a note book and write down any questions or concerns you may have.  

Thanks guys for your advice and support. I am seeing the oncologist on Wednesday who will decide if the results need to be sent to America before a decision about just radiotherapy or chemo as well. It's amazing what they know about cancers now and how to treat.

well done fighting..... I finished my radiotheraphy last Tuesday,, my armpit is a bit sore but nothing too bad... its actually a bit weird not having any appointments for this month.. ive been told to relax for a few weeks which I am not good at.. hopefully back to my childcare job in January.. its been a long tough year but we ladies are made of strong stuff....

Well done Niki45 now the fun starts as you need to let your body recover.  Your head will be telling you you go lady, however the body will be saying forget about it.  Take things slowly I was at a class today and the lady told us that it will take your body six ish months to recover from radiotheraphy then add in chemo on top of that.  All I will say to you is listen to your body and rest when you need to.  There will be amazing days and rubbish day so take the good with the bad and you will get there.

Like you said we are made of strong stuff, have you read "After the Treatment Finishes - Then What?"  by Dr Peter Harvey he is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with Leeds Teaching Hospital.  It is a very long document 35 pages, but well worth the read as he actually gets it.

Thanks for the advice fighting.  I will definitely have a read of that. Best of luck to you and thanks again.  

You too best of luck with the rest of your recovery after chemo and radiation treatment 

I had radiotherapy electrons and protons ,I had six weeks of radiotherapy, first week I had a booster ,I had to lie on a bed they had to put a false skin on my chest, they measured very carefully as my cancer was on the left breast I had just had a full mastectomy, but my cancer was under my breast bone very close to my heart so they had to take extra care not to put the radiation near my heart I had to lie very still while they taped artificial skin to me then measure where they had to use the radiation, after they had finished I was very sore and my skin was very red so the oncologist gave me some cream and oil to use to cool it down I did this for six weeks, I was in a lot of pain we had to drive from skegness to Lincoln hospital every day I had to get up really early in the morning be there for 7.45 then drive back to skegness I had Saturday and Sunday but then on Monday start again we did this for six weeks every day till my treatment finished then the last day i had another boost of radiation, saw oncologist again and then she gave me more cream to use and I got to ring the bell to say that my treatment had finished every one there cheered it was a fantastic feeling, I have been clear for 3 yrs but still have a long way to go before I'm completely finished with all my meds but I do have lymphoedema and emphysema, I have to wear a sleeve and a glove, and I still have my mammograms every yr and I still see my breast surgeon and oncologist, and I'm having to see my lymphoedema nurse to be measured for another sleeve and glove since I fell and fractured my humorous because I havent been able to wear them so now I have to see if the fall i had has made my lymphoedema worse so I have to be measured again. Tigger