Radiotherapy after lump removal - your experience?

[TimeToLose8]

I was diagnosed with a cancerous lump in my breast last month and had the lump and 3 lymph nodes removed a few weeks ago.

Because the cancer was found as a result of a mammogram (no symptoms), I have been really lucky in that it was found so soon and has not spread, so no chemotherapy.

However I'm still having 5 weeks of radiotherapy (25 sessions, 5 days a week), and I am interested in people's experiences of this treatment. I have watched the NHS video, but it is more useful getting others' experience.

If you have been in my situation, how did you find it? I'm expecting tiredness, anything else? Do you really get a tattoo on the breast (X marks the spot - husband doing some googling there).

The tattoo was just a tiny black dot at the top of the cleavage to be used as a guide to check the correct spot was getting zapped at each session.

It is a very straightforward and fast treatment but you are left feeling progressively more tired.

I was nauseous throughout. Initially I was told the radiotherapy couldn’t be causing the nausea, until they realised part of my liver was in the scan field. I was then prescribed an anti-nausea drug which was quite effective.

Towards the end of the sessions the skin in the treatment area reacted as though it had been badly sunburnt and it went on feeling irritated for months afterwards especially if I was hot. I was told to keep a tub of E45 in the fridge and slap it on the affected skin generously. It was very soothing.

Bio-oil has a reputation for being a rip-off but it was recommended to me and I did find it was a good moisturiser for the damaged skin.

Three tattoo dots for me - one in the cleavage and the others under each armpit.
Because I'd been warned about tiredness I scheduled my sessions late in the day so I didn't have to go back to work afterwards.
Thankfully no nausea for me, but the tenderness of the skin did occur. It didn't last long.
All the best for your treatment, OP.

I had similar but only three weeks of radiotherapy. Three black dots for me too. I was a bit tired but not too bad. No skin issues.

It is amazing how used you get to lying down topless with your arms above your head chatting about what everyone is doing at the weekend! I found all the staff really lovely and great at putting me at ease.

Mine was in 2016 and I have been clear since.

Some hospitals with the latest tech do tattoo-less treatment, so it's worth asking if your hospital is one of them. You can also check online: Safer Radiation Therapy. If the tumour is on the left breast then they should also coach you in breath-hold techniques to minimise the risk of accidental damage to your heart.

For me, radiotherapy came on the back of chemo ,so I was exhausted to start with, but the fatigue does get worse as radio goes on.
Mostly, it's the daily travel to and from the hospital, every week day, for 4 weeks or so, that causes the fatigue .
Definitely be prepared for that.
As a treatment, it's very quick and painless.
Are you having 5 booster sessions after regular radio?
The booster sessions are specifically targeted at the tumor bed, and can be more likely to cause redness and heat than the regular radio sessions.

Thank you all for your responses and information and wishes. At the moment I feel a bit of a fraud, lots of sympathy from family and friends but I just feel 'normal ', a little sore from the surgery but that's all.

@BlowDryRat yes, it is my left breast that is affected, so I shall look out for the breath holding technique.

@BCSurvivor I think that the travelling will be the worst, the hospital is an hour away, so that will be half a day every day. I have no idea about the booster, I have an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday, so they should discuss this with me, I hope.

@CatChant I was prescribed Biooil, so I have a bottle of that, but that is a good hint about putting the E45 cream in the fridge.

I gave three tattoos, one in middle of boobs, one either side by armpits. They looks like a biro mark and I don’t really notice them.

i gad radiotherapy and no chemo. I used to drive to the hospital, change into gown, have the chemo then go to work. You’re not enclosed, a machine is above you. They projected pictures on the ceiling to occupy you - animals, trains through countryside etc.

I found as the weeks went on I did get more tired, and just used to go to bed earlier. Also made sure I didn’t lift heavy stuff and just took life a but easier. It wasn’t too bad.

I had the fraud feeling as well. Life continued as normal. Didn’t feel ill or look any different. Even radiotherapy flitted into my normal routine. Took things easier, but that’s all.

Be warned though, sometimes it hits you afterwards. When you’re going through the process, you’re occupied and have something to focus on. Afterwards, it’s like an adrenaline drop, and all the emotions may come out.

Mine was 2012, so 11 years now.

mine too 2012, left breast, removed lymph nodes, knew nothing about breathing exercise even though I expressed concerns
I did know I was in good hands in the best hospital, 3 weeks of travelling daily, for lunchtime appointments, with a variety of public transport, choice of short walks, bus, train, tube, progressively more tired, to be expected.

Three tattoo dots, essential for marking the spot, to line up the machines,

choice of music, quiet, caring, lovely young radiographers.
I’d forgotten about the skin burn, I used Savlon or E.45, both from the fridge.
You will be fine OP, all the best to you

Hi. My experience was exactly the same as yours regarding the mammogram and operation, which I had last July. Finished 3weeks of radiotherapy in November. Had really bad problems with the skin under my breast and had to see the tissue viability nurse who was great. Didn't know about keeping the cream in the fridge; I shall try that.
Unfortunately, I developed lymphoedema in my breast in January, and am currently on my 6th infection (cellulitis) and 6th course of antibiotics. This experience has been far and away much worse than both the lumpectomy and radiotherapy. My breast gets red, swollen and very tender with hard lumps (the lymphoedema), and until the antibiotics kick in, I feel like I have a terrible dose of the flu. I'm currently waiting to be referred to someone who knows why I keep getting this, and won't just repeatedly give me antibiotics. I have been told it's very rare to have this complication of breast cancer

Thanks everyone - now my final question, and I think I know the answer, but ever optimistic - how much, if any, wine can I drink?