Treatment starts next Monday - couple of questions please

Hi Sinbad,

Glad you’ve got a start date. It can be a relief to get going.

For me, the initial chemo took about 2 hours. This appointment was also used to give the supply of chemo tablets, anti-sickness tablets, some steroids, Imodium and mouthwash.  I then had to make my way to another hospital for the radiotherapy.

It looks like you will have quite a bit of time between.               It’s unusual that you weren’t given tattoos. These are 3 tiny dots used by the radiologist to line you up. 

I just thought this was standard but maybe others can enlighten?

x

Hello Sinbad

I am not surprised you want to get started - the relief is palpable when after all the investigations and scans give way to actual treatment to hopefully rid you of this cancer.

My IV chemo didn't take long at all, it was a bolus (like a very large syringe) that the nurse gave through a cannula and only took about ten minutes, but as PEB24 has said, there is also a lot of admin going on in that first day.  I had tattoos but different hospitals have different protocols so I would be guessing as to why you weren't given any.

The first day can be long but then on the days after that, if you have a full bladder you can be in and out of the radiotherapy department in about 20 minutes, the actual radiotherapy only takes about five minutes and the rest of the time is taken up positioning you on the table.  And the treatment at the time is painless.

Best of luck, Sinbad, please let us know how you get on.

Irene xx

Hi Sinbad, 

It does sound like you will have quite a wait inbetween... I wonder if you ask, they may be able to bring your radiotherapy appointment forward a bit? No harm in asking. The IV doesn't take long. Think I was in there a couple hours, but as mentioned, the administration of it is done with a syringe. 

I actually counted the time it took for the radiotherapy and the radiation part only took about 2 mins each time for me.... the positioning and mini scan part they do beforehand takes longer. They were often running a bit behind with the appointment times, so it can vary as to how long you'll be there each day. Sometimes if the bladder isn't quite full enough, you get sent out to drink a bit more and go back in. Overall, I found the radiotherapy days pretty ok. It's relatively quick and you don't feel a thing. 

I have got the little dot tattoos. Not sure why you haven't, but I'm sure they know what they're doing. Perhaps you can ask about it? I'd be curious to know. 

Jenna xx

Hi Sinbad1.

The chemo canula takes a while, mostly because, whilst your there,  they give you all the creams, tablets etc you will need. We went for a light lunch in the hospital cafe. Then had my radiotherapy in the afternoon. There they gave me a radiotherapy diary , for al the next appts  It was about 6 hours in total. Lots of luck Anne

Hi Sinbad,

I have no tattoos. I was treated in 2021 and some people on the forum were being tattooed, so I think it must depend on the type of equipment used, can't think of any other reason. 

Your first day does sound long, and if they can bring that radiotherapy appointment a bit closer it would help, but there is so much happening that you might be glad of a break and a bit of lunch. Once you are in the routine of things it will pass very quickly so you may just have to go with it on the first day.

All the best, let us know how it goes.

xx

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience. 

Turns out I was just given any slot for the day but need to go straight there from chemo and they will slot me in.

Bit of a panic this morning as all the preparation blood tests I had yesterday were abnormal.

So blood transfusion also on day one.

Best wishes to everyone.

Sinbad

Oh, bless you..... the treatment is going ahead as planned tho? Just another stress to add to the day! 

I had to have a blood transfusion during treatment due to continuous menstrual bleeding that made my haemoglobin levels drop.

Hope all goes well for you xx

All the best for Monday Sinbad.

Ally xx

Hi Sinbad1 I see you've got your appointments question sorted. Re the tattoos it could be your hospital has a more modern machine, my hospital had one that used some sort of laser guides so people having that machine didn't need tattoos but they only used it for breast cancer patients so I had to have the tattoos. Good luck for Monday. Xx

Hi Sinbad1 , 

I’m pleased to hear you’re getting started with your treatment & rest assured I don’t think there’s a single one of us that didn't feel apprehensive about starting, it’s fear of the unknown, once that first day is over you’ll soon relax into the routine of your daily appointment schedule. 

As has been said already that first day can be a long one, my appointment times were similar to your own, if I remember rightly my chemo appointment was around 9.30am & radiotherapy wasn’t until 3.30pm. I didn’t get onto the chemo unit on time, they were running late but when I got in as others have said there was a lot of admin before I was given my infusion. My nurse said they don’t prepare your chemo in the pharmacy until your bum is in the seat & they’re sure that you’re fit to receive it as it’s too expensive to waste. I was poked & prodded a bit (gently of course) & set up on a saline flush that ran for a while before the nurse appeared with the chemo in a syringe & she administered that through the cannula I’d had the flush through, it literally took minutes then I was done. I was also given anti sickness medication prior to the infusion & given a supply to take home along with my chemo tablets & strict instructions on how & when to take them. Once my chemo was done the nurse rang the radiotherapy department to say I’d finished & if they could fit me in earlier I’d be ready, I can’t remember exactly but I think I got in a bit earlier than I was scheduled. The hospital had a little cafe area, my dad had come with me so we went a had a drink & something to eat & had a natter until my radiotherapy appointment came around. If you’re not taking anyone with you that day I’d advise on taking something to occupy yourself, either reading material or a puzzle book or the likes. 

Again I know it’s already been said but the radiotherapy is over in 10 minutes or so & it’s painless, you just lay still, my machine circled around me a few times then I was off & getting dressed again. I have 3 little dot tattoos, one on each hip & one at the front on my pubic bone that were used to line me up on the radiotherapy machine each day. If you’re concerned about not having had them done I’d give the hospital a call just to make sure you don’t need them as you don’t want anything delaying that first day. 

Wishing you the very best of luck for Monday, let us know how you get on. 

Nicola