I think I’ve developed a toilet obsession!

1 minute read time.

What could be more stressful than actually undergoing treatment? The journey there that’s what. Who’d have guessed?

The actual getting there is taking it’s toll. 

The hospital in reality is only 45 minutes away and we are told to allow 20 minutes from the outskirts of the city to the hospital.

I have to factor into this enough time to drink 3 cups of water half an hour before I am due for radiotherapy. If we are a little behind schedule I drink water in the car prior to arrival. And usually this is ok. But the last few days have seen traffic problems and I am now becoming obsessed with what ifs! 

What if I drink all the water and we are held up more? I’ll be desperate for the loo and might not make it!

What if I need the loo and they are running late? I’ll have to empty out and fill up and wait longer messing up everyone’s schedule.

After drinking and treatment what if we get held up on the way home and there is nowhere for a loo stop?

Today the traffic was much worse because it was raining and nobody cycles or walks as usual.

What if it rains tomorrow? What will I do?

I think about this constantly and although it makes me laugh a bit at myself - I can’t stop the niggling thoughts!

I guess it takes my mind off the side effects beginning to appear.

Other things causing stress are the number of shocking drivers on the journey. Yesterday we watched in horror as a motorcyclist went between 2 lorries as one overtook the other! I thought my heart had stopped. 

It certainly took my mind of other issues - for a while!

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    You've made me smile. I had vulval cancer this time last year. Radical vulvectomy but lucky enough no further treatment required. Wishing you all the very best of strong thoughts and hugs. If tensing up about a toilet gets you through that's your thing. Smile about it, stress about it, here's hoping it will soon be history and you'll be laughing about it. Mxx

  • Hi Moira2017

    I appreciate your comments - always good to hear of someone who has come out the other side!

    With all good wishes to you x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I had problemwith getting to therapy on time after drinking water. I had to go by Hospita transport so Therapy unit realised, they had to book transport up to a hour earlier so I could drink sufficient water when I arrived. This was OK iff transport turned up on time, which it did invariably. trouble when it didn't.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I had a triple incision vulvectomy for Vulval cancer in July 2017. Immediately followed by 25 sessions of radiotherapy as surgeon couldn't get margins required. I found holding the water in my bladder the hardest thing of all my treatment. I already suffered from an overactive bladder so this made it even worse. I took to carrying a pint size plastic jug & my 'she wee' device (look it up on amazon or ebay if puzzled) into the changing room & immediately i came out of radiotherapy i weed into the jug, guided by the she wee. Thankfully there was a sink in the changing room.Not ideal but i knew i wouldn't make it to the toilet without getting a big damp patch & i had nearly 30 miles to drive home.

    Since then i find when i wee it veers off to the left side, so again i hold the she wee against myself to make sure urine is going in right direction. It helps being able to sit on the toilet seat but i refuse to do this as all public toilets seem to be filthy these days. But i have got quite adept at she weeing. As an aside they are recommended for camping and/or festivals. I even took it to my last check up to show the oncology/gynaecologist & he was quite amused but impressed that it helped.

    This is supposed to be one of the rarer cancers for older women but it's amazing how many younger women are now getting it.

    Still going for quarterly check ups but so far, so good. Touch wood etc.

    Good luck & Best wishes to all.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I'm new to this site and still finding my way around.

    I found your comments made me smile, which is quite rare of late.

    I wish you all the best for your future, and hope I can soon find my sense of humour again in the not too distant future.

    That goes for all you.

    Thanks cardinal for the smile you brought to my lips.

    Take care