Hi all. I’m just back from a meeting with my urologist. My chemo was successful in that it has not traveled outside the bladder. He had already booked me in for my RC in 3 weeks time BUT as they found a blood clot in my Aorta, which apparently is extremely rare, the chances of my having a stroke during or just after surgery have shot through the roof. He couldn’t put any % on it and said he has never come across this type of clot before but a Stoke would either happen or not but if it did there would be nothing he could do about it. So apparently there were 10 consultants in the MDT meeting who unanimously thought radiotherapy would be my best option. I have never previously considered this and know nothing about it (until I see my oncologist on Friday). I never considered it as an option previously because my cancer is blocking the area where the ureter enters the bladder so I had to have a kidney drain put in. There is a possibility that radiotherapy could clear the blockage … or not, in which case I would have the nephrostomy (kidney drain) for life.
I would be really grateful if anyone that has had radiotherapy could share their story with me, both good and bad please.
regards Linda
. Hi Linda. Good to know things have been confined to the bladder with no spread. I had 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy following Gem/Cis. No real problems with the actual treatment, but I had no other added complications like your kidney drain. Some bowel problems and fatigue for a while after treatment finished, but it all settled. 7 years down the line I am doing well with so far no long term effects. Happy to answer any questions re treatment if I can. Best wishes.
Hi Linda. I was offered transport from the volunteer ambulance car service which took me to and from the hospital each day. It was 30 miles each way. I probably could drive, but the daily trips catch up with you and make you tired. Not ideal on motorways. I have been told I will be regularly monitored for up to 10 years. best wishes.
Hope all goes well for you 
you start to accept what is going to happen and everything changes xx my brother in law had 6 weeks of radiotherapy I think finding a parking space was the hardest part for him .. he was tired but didn't seen to have major issues xx thinking about you take care xx
They give you a daily timetable but times are random each day. Free parking at my hospital for RT patients, but getting a space was a different matter.
I had the chemoradiation. This involves having a chemo infusion pump for two of the weeks via a PICC line. The drug cocktail is infused very slowly over a long period (5FU/MMC). The chemo is meant to help the radiation. Best wishes.
