Radiotherapy after Gem/Cis for T2b G3 BC

The chemo bottle was no problem. Just a nuisance now and again. I didn't have any side effects and went about as normal. It is kept in a pouch on a belt. The only thing is working out how to get your clothes on. You cannot take it off, so have to thread it through sleeves. Throughout treatment, I felt normal with no effects to talk about. It was a couple of weeks after treatment finished I started feeling some effects. My bowels were loose for a few weeks and I had bouts of fatigue for an hour or two a day, but this all gradually eased and back to normal. Best wishes.

Thanks Rily. How do you sleep with the pump. I still struggle to sleep comfortably with the Nephrostomy, not sure how I’d cope with yet another attachment.  I’m seeing my oncologist tomorrow to discuss the radiotherapy in more detail but the nurse mentioned I might not be able to have the pic line because of my blood clot, as I think the line goes quite near the heart but there is another type of chemo-radiation that is just gemcitablane but a lower dose than Gem/Cis chemo. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what she suggests for me. Dare say I’ll be back with even more questions for you. X

I found the best way in bed is to still wear it on a belt by my side or tummy. Soon got used to it. You're right about the PICC line. It goes right round and ends up in a vein near your heart, so may not be suitable with blood clots. Best wishes.

Thanks Rily, I think I would really struggle at bedtime. I can’t sleep on my back or my right side because of the Nephrostomy which has to also be attached to a night bag at night.  If I need to go for a pee in the night I have to take all that with me so really don’t think I could cope with an additional attachment somewhere else. Hopefully they will have an alternative plan for me that will be as effective. Love Linda x

Hi .Linda, the chemo part of RT is not essential. It just helps a bit, so hopefully you will be OK if you go that route. Best wishes.

Hi Linda, my husband had chemo/radiation for T2 Stage 3 and CIS. His chemo element just involved taking a tablet. No major effects from that , seems a much lower dose than the original GemCis. Treatment was successful in 2018. Re-occurrence of CIS January this year. Treated with BCG which has been successful so far. Just about to start maintenance treatment. I drove him to the appointments  every day for 5 weeks but it was more for company. We actually called into a pub for lunch afterwards a couple of times. Hope that info helps.