Treatment ended!

Hi Figgywig 

Well done on getting through it. Now rest and recover. Make sure you keep moisturising and use any creams the hospital gave you and go commando if you can. From what I've seen on here most people say they start improving from about 2 weeks post treatment although mine was sooner. Don't feel on your own we are all here and you can always ring your hospital team if you feel the need. You will soon be back living life. Xx

Thank you Bungle - hadn't thought to go commando more but that is possible now that I haven't got to go out! 

I do have the hospital numbers to call if needed.

Be great to be back living life and not having everything on hold. Can't wait to make a plan and be sure that I can do it!

I switched to Sudocrem a couple of days after treatment ended on the advice of my nurses. It was an absolute game changer and I was pain free within 24 hours. Going commando also helped. I wore a sarong at home and would lie, legs akimbo, on the sofa watching TV, much to the amusement of my hubby.

That's great Figgywig bet you are relieved to have the daily trudge out of the way. As Bungle1  says, just allow yourself to heal and keep on with the moisturiser. They say the effects carry on after the treatment has finished but the psychological lift in being finished carried me through. I did also have a bit of black burnt skin around my groin which peeled, but I can't remember it hurting.

I think the main thing is just to settle and treat yourself and your body very gently. Hopefully summer is round the corner and you will feel yourself becoming more like your old self. I haven't really got any tips other than keep on with the moisturiser and buy yourself some treats!! XX

You made me chuckle with the legs akimbo and your husband's amusement!

I have got some sudo cream, they didn't say to use it but anything that works!

I have a couple of black areas in the groin but apart from being very warm and itchy they are not too bothersome.

Yes I think knowing it is over and it is now going towards healing and getting back to being myself will help. I did have to abandon my shopping today due to an urgent toilet trip but I am hoping this is less a problem now there is no more radiotherapy which seemed to trigger that.

I will definitely get myself some treats and talking of summer my wish is to get to Studland beach and swim in the sea to mark that I am indeed recovered.

I used to live near Studland, it is lovely. Get down there and enjoy that (naked) swim. Good luck!

Hello Figgywig 

Please just keep telling yourself, I am never going to have to go through that again - well done!  The radiotherapy is tough, no doubt about it.  Even today (four years after end of treatment) I googled to find out if what we go through is excessive.  And I was told; 'standard-to-moderately long range', some radiotherapy goes on for 45 sessions. And remember that it is really early days; the toilet issues do improve, your body heals and gradually the side effects lessen.

What you are going through right now does ramp up a bit in the next couple of weeks, so just be very kind to yourself, lots of rest and painkillers as you need them, and remember your body is recovering after what is a very tough course of treatment.  In time you will feel normal, It may well be a different normal but one that is cancer-free which I think is the best that we can all hope for.

Big hug

Irene xx

Hi Figgywig ,

Apologies for the late reply I’ve been on my holibobs but just wanted to jump on & say well done & congratulations on completing your treatment, I hope things are going ok. You know we’re here to support you however we can.

Nicola 

Thanks Nicola

Good to hear you've been on your holibobs.

Things are okay - I have okay days and other days which are not great where I can't leave the toilet or if I do I risk disaster. That becomes exhausting and I should have shares in Persil the amount I am going through! 

But I have had good support from radiology and from all you kind survivors on here, for which I am incredibly grateful. 

I am being kind to myself and if I need to rest and sleep I do and if I only get one thing done rather than three things that is a good day. I say this looking at the work I want to do in my garden...

I am.trying not to think too far ahead now and just think each day is a day further along on this path that none of us chose but have just got to deal with.

Julie x