Treatment starts tomorrow

Lying in bed creamed and massaged and ready for tomorrow's radiotherapy session.

Had a meeting with my radiotherapy Doctor before treatment. We chatted about the treatment, side effects and support. 

No Macmillan, designated specialist nurses or support groups unfortunately, so my Doctor is my 'go to man'.

My chemo started a bit shaky, my veins are small and deep and they clot almost immediately. The two oncology nurses and the sister all worked together and in no time I was getting fluids pre chemo. They don't speak English, but the lovely care they gave was obvious.

They arranged lunch for me and brought an English speaking member of staff to check on me. I ready Kindle and chilled a bit.

Then the fun started, off to get my radiotherapy. Desperately needed to have a pee en route after having lots of water to flush out the chemo.

Lovely older guy in radiology spoke English, so he took charge helping me. All men in this department. So he explains I must drink water and have a full bladder, no problem started to drink more water. 

Thought I was going to pee myself, ran to the toilet. Started drinking more water....please let me hold onto this. I did think I was going to pee on the machine, but managed to hold on.

The lovely radiologist sorts my daily slots for treatment, gets me a gown and takes me to a room to get changed. I thought he said to remove my knickers, mistake.

About to start treatment, minus my knickers . They had very surprised faces, he explained that next time I should keep them on. I was apologising and he quickly told me there was nothing to apologise for.

At the end of the session he helped me with my gown, opened at the front not back and he wished me a good evening.

We laughed about it on the way home and I am determined to keep my knickers on and hold my bladder tomorrow.

Wishing you all the very best evening.

Ally xxx

Hi AllyL ,

I’m sorry that things have become a little more complicated regarding your diagnosis although I’m pleased to hear that you’ve got to grips with your ileostomy & it’s had a positive impact on your weight & toilet issues. 

I hope your first day of treatment went to plan, I know that that first day can be particularly stressful & long so I hope all went well. 

Nicola 

Thank you Nicola....it was a long day, but I had great care and support.

The radiotherapy threw up a few laughs but I have learnt a lot from the experience.

Ally xx

Hello AllyL

I am not surprised you are nervous, with everything that is going on in your life it is totally understandable.  My tumour was in my rectum too, I had no symptoms apart from skinny poos and feeling tired and my diagnosis of Stage IV anal cancer was a huge shock.

I had a spot on the lung as well as at least four lymph nodes involved - I don't often look back on those early notes, even now I get a cold chill and am reluctant to relive the terror I felt at the time.  But three years and three months later (who is counting!), apart from some lung inflammation which I am assured isn't cancer but which is being monitoring closely, all my scans have been clear. 

I will be thinking of you during treatment - please keep in touch and remember we are all here to virtually hold your hand during the coming weeks.

Irene xx

Your support is very much appreciated Irene.

Hi Ally,

Well done on getting through day 1. 
You had the additional language barrier to negotiate but sounds like the staff were lovely.

The full bladder is indeed a challenge. I remember like you, having to drink more and more on that first treatment while they repeatedly scanned my bladder and being so worried that I wouldn’t be able to hold it and ruin the machine! It’s doable though and you somehow get used to it.

 I hope you’re feeling ok after the chemo and wishing you well for today and all the treatments ahead. At least you now know that you can keep your knickers on! That particular protocol seems to vary depending on the department so hopefully  you will sail through today fully prepared.

xx

Feeling great thanks Peb24.

Quick visit to the local market, lunch and hospital.

Everything is going to change, so will try to enjoy things while I can xx

Yes as expected that first day is a long one isn’t it? Hopefully tomorrow today will be more straightforward & dignified (knickers on)  My dear dad who we sadly lost in May last year accompanied me to every one of my treatments & I remember him saying he would hear us laughing from the treatment room while I was changing/dressing, I was blessed with a lovely team of girls (& the odd man) that made an awful situation a lot easier. Good luck for today.

Ally

I laughed about the no knickers!  Sorry, but it helps to retain a sense of humour and I am pleased you took it in your stride!  And I remember the full bladder well, I would stagger off the table and literally run to the loo, before getting dressed or having any chats with the staff.  I never did have an accident but I am assured that there isn't anything they haven't seen.

Irene xx

Me and my partner have 'carry on' sense of humours, so I am sure we will have a few more laughs along the way xx