Just had my first pelvic radiotherapy session

Hello TC 108 

I am now on RT9 of 25 and I echo MrsWoodentop’s thoughts. I am delighted by how manageable RT is once one gets into the swing of having an empty bowel and full-enough bladder.  I have found it so much easier than chemo. I am sure you will settle to it. I am beginning to open my eyes now and count the laser lights! I feel sure protein and carbs is the diet to follow; if veggies are a must, then nothing green or red.

Best wishes

Alissico

My RT was several years ago now for bladder cancer. Mrs. Woodentop describes the procedure well. I had chemo alongside the RT with PICC line and infusion pump. I had no effects to talk about during treatment. Afterwards the fatigue set in which wiped me out for about 2 hours each day. Bowels were erratic for a couple of months, but settled. I had a weekly consultation with a doctor after a treatment session and this is the time to discuss any concerns. Once you get the first couple out of the way, it just becomes a daily routine. Staff are very good at putting you at your ease. There is a good video on the Mac pages HERE which gives you a good insight on what to expect. Nothing was ever mentioned to me about diet, but I suppose that would depend on what you are being treated for. I have had no long term effects. Good luck to all going through this. Best wishes.

Thank you - I am feeling much more positive now and will definitely follow the diet advice.

best wishes 

T 

Hi Mrs Woodentop,

I would just like to say congratulations on the commencement of your treatment.  

Like yourself I had radiotherapy 35 sessions, 2 brachytherapy, 6 chemo and surgery to remove half of my vagina.  That was at the beginning of 2013 and with the grace of God, determination advice and excellent care I’m here to tell the tale.

It is wonderful that you are sharing your experience with others.  When I was diagnosed with vaginal cancer I had no womb, ovaries, Fallopian tubes or Cervix and I thought I’m safe, but how wrong I was.  To anyone following this courageous ladies postings I want to say if I had been able to read another persons experiences I would have been less petrified, less anxious and extremely reassured to know that there was somebody there to answer questions I was too frightened to ask.  To know that someone was on a similar journey as mine and could give me an idea of what to expect would have been brilliant. 

Initially when you start treatment you are so unsure of what lies ahead, but when you find a person like Mrs Woodentop who is sharing her experiences, worries and fears you are better armed to start this life changing journey.

For each and everyone who is on this journey, to the Nurses, Doctors and Consultants I send my love, prayers and Blessings. At the end of my Cancer journey I realised that material things are nice to have, but the most important thing is the unending love, strength and support my husband, children and family give me every day.  Love and Best Wishes xxxxx

Thanks Mrs Woodentop for posting. My Mum will be starting pelvic radiotherapy in about a month's time we believe so it is really helpful to read of your experience. All the best with your treatment.

Hi I read your post I have vaginal cancer and have told I need radiotherapy and chemo. How are you feeling now ?

Hi I have vaginal cancer and treatment is going to be radiotherapy for five weeks and chemotherapy alongside I have no cervix or uterus either so similar to you really. I just wondered how you coped with side effects from chemo thankse

Hi Duxbury,

The radiotherapy was pretty free of consequences for the first 2 weeks, after which the main effect was tiredness.  I had some digestive system discomfort,  pain from that a couple of days only, and actually only when radiotherapy and chemo overlapped. 

I have some contact vaginal slight bleeding, very slight discharge,  which my oncologist says will be due to vaginal wall scarring from the external radiotherapy.  It doesn't cause any problem. 

I'd say I was pretty much over the effects of the radiotherapy 4 weeks after it finished.  Chemo , I am in my last cycle of 6 currently. I have found I get about 4 days of being laid low by it in each cycle.  So it's all very do able.

Best of luck with yours.

x

Hi TC108.  Is it ok to ask you a question about your pelvic radiotherapy as I see you were last on the Mcmillan forum a few years ago.  Not sure if you will see this.  Kind wishes, T

Hi Rily.  Just wondering if you still are in the Mcmillan forum and if I could ask you a few questions? Kind wishes, TikingT