Starting radiotherapy tomorrow.

[deanna]

Hi. I have metaplastic carcinoma and am about to embark of radiotherapy tomorrow. I had a lumpectomy in November. Is there anyone out there who has also been given radiotherapy for this cancer, if so, how did you get on? I am wondering if it will help me.
Any info. greatly appreciated.
From a slightly apprehensive
deanna

[Sir Alec]

I'm not surprised you're apprehensive. I wish you well for the day and for the results.

[Sqad]

deanna.........not the best news to "pull out of the hat."

You can Google this cancer so i shall not linger except to say, it is so uncommon that nobody knows the correct treatment or survival rates.....BUT....if you were my wife i would insist that you followed ALL treatment patterns and if there were any clinical trials, I would get you involved.

Now go today and get on with it..............;-)

[divegirl]

Hi Deanna, I just wanted to add my good luck wishes to the list ad tell you that you have come to the right place for support. This wonderful bunch of reprobates have been an amazing source of support to me over the last few moths with my own mini war with cancer. I'm 3 days post op from my hysterectomy to eliminate my cervical cancer and truly do understand you fears.
I hope today isn't/wasn't too scary for you and just remember we are all here for you through this....day and night.

Much Love Lisa xxx

[divegirl]

Please excuse the spelling....not fully awake yet :0/

[rowanwitch]

If you are not being seen at a big regional cancer centre ask for a referral once your radiotherapy is over as that is where the trials will be run from. Also if you find the daily travelling too much they may have residential facilities for mon-fri I know we have a 'patient hotel' in Birmingham for just this purpose. Also use your specialist nurse(s) they may be able to access better info than a lot of the stuff that comes up on google

Look after yourself

[deanna]

Hi everyone. I am just back from my first session of radiotherapy!
The staff were fantastic and really kind and caring so it wasn't as bad as I expected. Only have tomorrow to go then the weekend off before the next five days of travel. One good thing was that they have let me have a pass so I don't have to pay for car parking. Plus my friends took me out to lunch and a much needed pint of ale after the treatment. Not a bad start to this zapping stuff! :)
Thank you all for your messages of support, they are much appreciated. dx

[Sqad]

;-)

[Mamyalynne]

Deanna now you know what to expect each day will become easier, take very good care and keep us updated ((HUG)) ♥

[deanna]

Hi Lisa (Divegirl) good to hear from you. I do hope your recent operation does the trick and your health improves quickly.
You are quite right about the support. I feel humble and overwhelmed by the messages I have received since writing on this site last night. It makes all the difference knowing that people really care. This cancer stuff is scary. I lost both my mum and husband to this nasty disease and although I am happy to join them one day, am not ready yet!
Healing hugs, dx

[divegirl]

Hey, really pleased all went well today, it's good you had a friend with you, my mate was brilliant (still is) with everything and made sure I asked all the questions I needed to...and then remembered the answers for me lol. Keep us up to date...keep smiling

lisa x

[DTCwordfan]

Hey, fingers crossed for you and look after yourself.

Don't think twice about asking for help from friends and ABers are always here and can help give you background info......

[fbg40]

Hi Deanna
Last year I had 7 weeks of radiotherapy for prostate cancer following surgery for the removal of the prostate. I know this doesn't really relate to your problem, but thought you might like to hear of my experience. When I started I thought the 7 weeks would never end, but the more I spoke to the other patients the more I felt at ease. In fact, in some perverse way, I looked forward to seeing them every day !! Yes I had some side effects and the travelling wore me and the wife down, but if it hadn't been for the other patients and the friendliness of he radiologists I don't know what I would have felt. There is a saying, as I'm sure you know, that "there is always someone worse off than you " - I found this to be very true. The people I met and those I just spoke to gave me a sense of well being, even though the majority of them were worse off than me. All I can say is talk to people while you are there, and make sure you talk about the cancer - to hear other peoples' stories really helps. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
FBG40

[ttfn]

Hello deanna :) What a great post to read from you - well done. So pleased you got on better than you feared. The unknown can be very hard to cope with but now you are acquainted with so much more understanding. I bet that pint was a real treat. The weekends will be a good break for you to have throughout your treatment.

I love Lisa's description of us as reprobates - so very true :) Rest assured the reprobates will be rooting for you as with all other ABers undergoing treatment. You future posts will be eagerly awaited and there are many who will be ready to reply to you. Never worry about asking questions or seeking support/advice. Keep as positive as you can even when you are having 'darker' days/nights. Now we have found you we won't want to let you go easily ♥

[NOX]

Really happy to read things were not as bad as you feared, carry on bieng strong and positive next week and keep our love and good wishes with you always.

[DaisyNonna]

My thoughts are with you Deanna. Realise that travelling to have treatment is really tiring. As has been said, accept all the help you can get. When you have the energy, keep in touch. You know we are here to listen or encourage wherever possible.

[boxtops]

I've no experience of this, deanna, but I wish you well again, keep posting ♥

[tinkerbell23]

Popped back to see how your doing!

Sooo glad you had a good experience today. One down already! Well done you!! Best of luck and keep popping back.

Its nice to read how well people have done and are doing!!!

Ps: hi lisa..... Xxxxx

[anneasquith]

i hope you have a nice weekend deanna, and good luck for next week :) lisa, i hope your not overdoing " things ".

[kawakiri]

Glad your first treatment went OK.