The after effects of Radiotherapy

Well it's been 2 weeks since my last Radiotherapy and my Oncologist was right, the after effects are still lingering due to the radiation still working in my body. I'm still very red and sore, so still moisturising the radiated area. Still in pain all over and for the last week I've had severe pain in my coccyx and lower back. So today I've had to buy a coccyx pillow and double my amitriptyline dosage. I already take that for sleep but a higher dose is used for pain. No other pain killers would touch it so my Breast Care Nurse and GP are thinking it's a sciatica type pain and to see how I go with the higher dose.

I didn't manage any walking last week again due to the pain but did try and managed 1 mile on Saturday. So hopefully these side effects will subside soon and I can start back to longer walks again and get back to my 10 milers.

I gave myself a grade 4 hair shave the other day, just to take the wispy bits of and make it a bit more even all over. It really needs a grade 2 but I'll wait a few more weeks with the cold weather looming.

I have my counselling sessions through Coping with Cancer and they help me so much. I also had some complementary sessions with them too, I had reflexology and massage and they really helped me get through surgery and radiotherapy.
http://www.c-w-c.org.uk/

I get my first implant inflation next Monday hopefully, fingers crossed.
Have a good week everyone. xx

My radiation skin (doesn't look so bad in the picture)

My 1 mile walk

Last radiotherapy

I celebrated on the evening of my last day of radiotherapy with Cava, drinks and a curry as that was my last day of active treatment, but I've still got a few inflations to go on my implants, a nipple reconstruction and areola tattooing. I've had lots of lovely flowers, plants, alcohol and my partner did a portrait drawing of me, which was a lovely surprise.

It's been nearly a week since my last radiotherapy and it seems my Oncologist was right, I'm so tired now it's unreal and my skin is getting redder and the certain areas of my chest are sore. It is the area that wasn't covered by the wax strip they used to protect my scar, so I'm glad they used that every other day, I can't imagine being this sore on my scar!

My doctor has now changed me from sleeping pills to a low dose of amitriptyline, as this is non addictive and I have been getting 7 hours medicated sleep every night and this weekend I've even managed a bit extra on Saturday after no sleep on Friday due to the pain after sitting for those few hours. I was in pain all weekend due to a few hours out to be the guest of honour at my friends new show, Cabaresque for Cancer, but it was worth it. It was an amazing night, with lots of laughter and a few tears. I hope to post again with a few pictures once they're available. Thank you again Lucy and friends for a wonderful evening, it was just what the doctor ordered after a tough year. xxx

My doctor prescribed me a low dose of Citalopram a few months ago, for the hot flushes I'm getting hourly due to chemotherapy stopping my ovaries working temporarily and giving me a phantom menopause! I wanted to try everything I could before going onto another pill as I hate medication, another reason why this year has been tough. I tried the Lady Care Magnet from Boots, it said to give it a month, I gave it 6 weeks, it made no difference to me whatsoever. I bought a spray called Physicool, while it helped make them shorter it did not stop them. I can't take any herbal remedies suggested for hot flushes as they all produce plant Oestrogens and as my Cancer was Oestrogen positive I'm not allowed them, HRT is just the same. So I finally gave in and started Citalopram last week and I now only have 3-4 hot flushes a day, mainly in the evening, instead of 1 every hour, which is such a relief.

For Rutland in Rutland is a local charity based with the CAB, they have helped me so much during the last year. I wouldn't have been able to make the 50+ hospital trips to beat Cancer if it wasn't for them. They've helped me so much with transport costs and parking. You would think working from home I would have saved money on Petrol but no, petrol cost more and my heating bill more than double due to being at home. So I'd like to raise enough to give them back what they helped me with and more, so this wonderful team can help more people like me.
https://www.justgiving.com/Amanda-Bills/

Last day of active treatment drinks

Thank you Angie & Frank for the bubbles xx

Thank you Jan & Nige for my beautiful flowers and drink xx

 

My surprise drawing my partner did for me, love it. xx

Thank you Mom & Dad for my beautiful Orchid xxx

Thank you Lucy & Bonnie for my Beautiful flowers xxx



 

Radiotherapy 15 of 15

Radiotherapy 15 of 15 - My last day of active treatment

Well the day has finally arrived and I've had my last Radiotherapy, I skipped out of the room with joy. I'm utterly exhausted and my skin is red, but so far it's not sore, hopefully I'll be one of the lucky ones there...will make a change for me eh! No more hospital until 9th November, I can get some sort of normality back in my life! I can start phasing back into working at the office too instead of working from home. I will get to speak to people again that talk back, unlike my dogs hehe.

I didn't manage any walks last week but I did a couple at the weekend and managed 3 miles on Saturday which I was well chuffed with. Anyway must dash I want my celebratory curry and drinks.

My walk on Saturday

 

Radiotherapy 9 of 15

Radiotherapy 9 of 15

I've just passed the half way mark and can't believe how exhausted I am already, the lethargy reminds me too much of my chemotherapy days! My skin is starting to look a little red too, fingers crossed it doesn't get much worse. My Breast Care Nurse said it will be at it's worse 10-14 days after my last radiotherapy treatment. The good news is it will go away eventually, the bad news is I have to wear factor 50 in any sun for 1-2 years, so no topless bathing for me with my new puppies! Oh well only 6 more 66 mile round trips to go, well until 9th November. When all being well I get my first implant inflation, fingers crossed.

I did manage to beat my 1.7 mile walk but not by much, but I managed 2 miles. Hopefully I'll manage more once I'm recovered from Radiotherapy. Today is the first day I've not managed a walk since starting Radiotherapy sadly.

I've been in a few local papers this last week for the show my friend Lucy is putting on called Cabaresque for Cancer, so looking forward to seeing it, just hope the fatigue doesn't get any worse. Links to newspaper article and where to get tickets below.

http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/local/burlesque-show-to-bring-smiles-after-hard-year-1-7002944

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/316340

Me and my Radiotherapy Machine Day 6

In the paper again!

Hospital selfie Day 7



Out on a 1.7 mile walk

In the paper again!

Thank you Mandy for my card and gift xx

Out on a 1.6 mile walk
 

Rutland Water Dam

Radiotherapy 5 of 15

Radiotherapy 5 of 15

Well I'm a 1/3 of the way through Radiotherapy and not doing too bad. I'm very tired and I ache all over, but that is partly down to my pain condition (Fibromyalgia) I think. My skin can go red/purple with the radiation, and look like sunburn and today I can see a slight difference in skin tone, I'd say it's a bit pink, fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse. The 66 mile round trip is taking it's toll on me, I've not been this tired since chemotherapy, just glad I don't feel as ill as I did back then! I'm getting shooting pains and twinges in my chest but I'm told that's the nerve endings repairing.

Only 2 weeks to go and radiotherapy will be over! Then just one little operation to go and a bit of liposuction to go if needed, if the implants when filled don't even out.

My hair is growing fast now, but still very soft, so I bought myself some baby shampoo hehe and still growing my xmas tinsel! See pictures below.

I'm still walking daily and aimed for 3miles the weekend but to my annoyance only managed 1.7 miles, but I know I will get there. Will be cycling soon and next year I plan to do the biggest zip wire, climb more mountains and climb a telephone mast for charity.

 

Weekend walk. All of  1.7 miles

Radiotherapy 1 of 15

Radiotherapy 1 of 15

Day 1 of radiotherapy, we knew it was going to be the longest day, we left home at 10am and got back home about 4pm. I had to go in a simulator machine to check the measurements were still OK that I had done in my CT scan. Also the time in the room for radiotherapy was a bit longer today as they had to do some measurements and x-rays.

The worst part for me was laying there for so long not able to move, in one position with your arms above your head, bad enough normally but very difficult with my pain condition fibromyalgia.

They are using what they call a wax strip across my scar every other day, they said think of it as an extra layer of skin. I'm still very numb under my right armpit and in my skin across my chest, they stick the wax on with plaster, when they removed it, I jumped a mile, wonder if I have some feeling coming back, one can hope!

1 down 14 to go!

 

 

Implant deflation & Radiotherapy

Yesterday I went to see Mr P my surgeon, thinking I was having my right implant deflated. After he found out Oncology had already done my planning appointment and tattoos ready for radiotherapy he decided not to. He said there was no evidence that deflating would help save my implant, he just thought it would be worth a try. I'm to keep an eye on the implant, scars and skin during radiotherapy treatment and if needed I can have it deflated any time. Radiotherapy can cause scarring and hardening of the implant, leading to a less natural look. So fingers crossed my implant survives this. Worst case scenario is I get capsular contracture and have to have my implant removed and wait 6-12 months before we can re-try reconstruction again.

I am having radiotherapy after mastectomy because my tumour was over 5cm in size and it aims to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind in the breast area after surgery. The tattoos I've had are 3 little black dots which they use to line up the machine that will be giving the radiation as Radiotherapy also affects healthy tissue in the area being treated. However, this is generally able to recover and repair itself. It’s given in such a way that it has the greatest effect on the cancer cells while limiting the damage to normal healthy tissue.

My finger nails are almost grown back but I've now lost my first toe nail and look like I'll be losing a few more (picture below for the less queasy of you), hopefully it won't be too painful with winter coming as I don't fancy flip flops in cold weather! I was confused as to why this was happening now and found out from Oncology that finger nails take about 3-6 months to regrow and toe nails take 12-18 months to regrow. Cancer the gift that keeps on giving!

On a good note I'm getting stronger daily, I'm now walking 2 miles before I need to sit down which is great. I'm also driving short distances and today managed the 18 mile drive to work which I was well chuffed about, I'm a little sore but no pain no gain! It was lovely to see everyone at work again, felt like I'd never been away haha! I'm going to start getting out on my bicycle too at the weekend. But first I have my first Radiotherapy tomorrow to get through then every day for the next three weeks, wish me luck. xx

Radiotherapy side effects:
https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment-breast-cancer/side-effects/side-effects-radiotherapy


Right side tattoo (black dot on the right)

Left side tattoo (black dot top right)

Middle tattoo

Toe nails

Radiotherapy tattoos

Well today I've been to see a temporary Oncologist in the Oncology department and had a CT scan and 4 little tattoos ready for Radiotherapy, which starts in 2 weeks. I will be having it every day for 3 weeks. Yes sure I can afford that! 66 mile round trip every day plus parking. The CT was ok, just hurt to hold my arms above my head for ten minutes.

Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer that uses carefully measured and controlled high energy x-rays. Iit aims to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind in the breast area after surgery.

The Oncologist said that radiotherapy would improve my chances of cancer not re-occurring in the breast from 20% to 5%, so makes sense really to have it. He is a different Oncologist from the one in my MDT (multidisciplinary team) meeting too, so that's two saying I should have it. I'm just so annoyed after my old Oncologist of 6 months said I didn't need it. But it's 2 against 1 now and now it's been mentioned I will have to have it at those odds. They say if your tumour was over 5cm radiotherapy is a must.

I started walking 1/2 a mile a day over the weekend and I'm now managing 3/4 of a mile, I'll soon be running round the park hehe! I also managed to get out to the pub on Saturday for a couple which was lovely. Hoping the little walks will help with sleep too. Thought yesterday's reflexology would help me sleep, managed to sleep from 23:00-3:45 but that might have been the bottle of beer too...maybe try more beer next time haha! Have a good week everyone. xx




Saturday's walk

Puppy cuddles

A few beers to help me sleep



I'm out at the local

Monday's walk

Selfie with my babies

Tuesday's walk

A month after double mastectomy

Back from hospital and Mr P is happy with my progress so far, even though I'm still sore, lumpy, bumpy, hard and itchy. It's all normal and only a month after surgery after all. I'm doing all the right things to help my healing and will continue to do so. Physio, moisturise, massage, physio, moisturise massage, physio, moisturise massage!

I'm still not able to drive but hoping to in the next few weeks, he said 4-6 weeks after surgery before I'd be able to. The 66 mile car journey has took it's toll on me, my chest is hard and painful and I am so tired, doing a bit of work then I'll rest.

Have to wait now to see my new oncologist next Wednesday to discuss radiotherapy.

I have my normal therapy through Coping with Cancer once a week, which is so beneficial to me. I can also now start my 6 free sessions of complementary therapies which can involve massage, reiki, reflexology, I'm thinking massage hehe!

Some pictures of hair growth as at yesterday, it's coming on fast now, same as my legs and armpits. Eyelashes are thick stubble, still only on my top lid and I have a few tiny bits on my eyebrows and down below, so looks like I need to buy shaving products again. Electric shaver only for my armpits though due to the lymph node surgery I had.

Have a good week everyone xx

Hair after chemo

No changes to report until I see my surgeon Wednesday and my oncologist next Wednesday. A few pictures below of how my hair is growing, still peach fuzz, light on the top and sides, dark at the back, think I'm going to be Cruella De Vil as it looks black and white to me hahaha!

Just thought I'd show you a few pictures after the nice weekend I've had. Sitting round the fire pit in the garden on warmer evenings, Tea parties at Claire's, Viv's and Hambleton Bakery, they all raised money for Cancer. I have another two Tea parties in the diary this month. I even managed to get to see some friends in a local show, I struggled to sit for long even with all my pillows, and even though I was in pain I stayed till the end and watched the whole show. Thank you to all my friends and family for driving me every where.

I'm shocked at how tired I get after anything I do, even if it's only an hour. You think I'd sleep better for it! I'm so looking forward to getting my fitness back, walking the dogs, cycling, dancing and driving again. But it's been so nice to finally get out of my house and not go to the hospital.

Flowers from Jan & Nige xx

Flowers from RMT xx

 

 

Fire pit times in the garden

Beer to celebrate being Cancer free :-D

Peach fuzz

Hambleton Bakery Tea Party cakes

Candle from Heather & Johnny xx