What you wish you had known before starting Radiotherapy?

So here's a very practical hint for anyone about to undertake Radiotherapy to the Prostate:

Plan your return journey home to ensure you know where public toilets are located - MacDonalds, Costa Coffee etc because as your radiotherapy progresses so does your need for the toilet!! (trust me I know ).

Whatever your cancer - I wish you well on your personal Radiotherapy journey.

Best wishes - Brian.

I wish I had known

• that it was completely painless
• that machines can breakdown while you are on the table and it doesn’t matter
• the staff are amazing
• to take a 4 pint empty milk bottle in the car
• How simple it was to get into a routine where I was empty of solids and gas

One thing to be aware of. In my experience, treatments are rarely on time so give yourself plenty of time.  There are usually delays for various reasons. If your particular treatment allows it, take snacks and drinks and something to keep you occupied. My centre had a snack bar in the waiting area, so I always enjoyed a toasted tea cake and coffee while waiting. Driving is not advised as tiredness creeps up on you as time goes on. If on daily treatment, you tend to see many of the same people and the waiting area can be very upbeat and sociable. I hope all goes well for anyone waiting for treatment. Best wishes.

1. It's nowhere near as bad as you think it's going to be
2. It's painless
3. You get use to inserting strange objects in your rear end shortly before your procedure
4. If it wreaks havoc with your bladder movements they can give you medication to help
5. When the radiologist asks you how you are feeling they're not making idle conversation, they're checking the treatment is having unpleasant side effects.
6. When you arrive for your last day of treatment everyone will be smiling as they all know it's your last day
7. If you're driving arrive in good time as the car park is always full

Radiotherapy to different areas of the body may lead to different side effects. My radiotherapy was pelvic radiotherapy. 

When you have your consents appointment they do tell you the possible side effects but I didn't realise they would come on so quickly. The treatment itself is painless but I had side effects almost straight away.

They did mention that people tend to feel tired but I did not realise quite how tired I would feel. Although the treatment itself took less than 5 minutes I was normally at the hospital an hour before the appointment for the preparation and then there was often a bit of waiting around. I was away from home for around 4 hours a day and had 25 sessions. I also continued to have fatigue that lingered after treatment ended. The travelling tired me out more than I had anticipated. 

One thing that worried me was the thought of the tattoo dots. Before I had mine I was imagining all sorts. They were actually a drop of ink on my skin and then it was pricked with a tiny needle.

I also agree with Millibob- plan around where the toilets are -and also ask for a Can't Wait card from Macmillan.

And talk to your radiotherapists if you do get side effects as they can usually help you manage them. The same with Late Effects. 

Jane