A little further on

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Hello everyone

Just wanted to catch up with you all as I've found this thread incredibly helpful and supportive so far.

I've had my oncologist appointment this week, where the treatment and side effects were discussed at length and consent forms signed. Such a lot of information to process it knocked me and my fiancé sideways somewhat. I managed to be a real pain by passing out when they tried to take bloods haha

I now have the planning scan next Friday and then the chemoradiotherapy should start 8 November. We're going to have to arrange someone to look after our puppy three days a week as our son is in university. My head is spinning with mention of nausea, sore skin, tiredness, and damage to healthy tissue. I've been really up and down emotionally, one minute I'm fine, the next I'm in floods of tears because the puppy wants to go out in the garden again! Any tips or reassurance welcome x

court over 1 year ago

Hi Squashable

Oh no wonder you feel a bit overwhelmed. I got overwhelmed just listening to what my mum was going to face .

However it did not all come at once . You learn to navigate the side effects and your partner will help too . Your team will have seen them all before so keep chatting to them. A third of the people have no side effects to speak off so you may be one of them .
Even at 81 my mum is still in treatment so I do believe you will get there with it . It developed a rhythm of its own and you get to know the staff and the routine of the unit .
Stay hydrated as that has been the cause of a few problems for my mum but post here anything you need help with and people how have been through it will help you navigate it . You are not alone .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Arsey over 1 year ago

Darn it, I was freaked out by the very limited info I was given about CRT. I had to go home and look into it. No one told me to go low fibre diet before the planning appt or for every treatment, so ask about this and windeze tabs for all your treatments.

Gas can delay treatments. No one says! As a veggie I was a nightmare!. I finished my CRT early Sept. I tolerated it well, it sorted out my symptoms, which has made life easier. Took a bit of learning how to prepare my body though. Five weeks of no veg just to keep the gas levels down. The five weeks will fly eventually. You will meet amazing people in the waiting room.

I hope it all works out for you - I had a little nausea ( I was taking oral chemo which did make me sick day 4 each week). I had great creams and advice from the RT team - they were fantastic. You will probably be advised to dilate girlie bits after your treatment ends, which is OK. If things get sore bum wise, sit in a warm bath. It is heaven! Utlimately, if you are suffering any effects, tell the team, they have creams etc for everything. You can do this! Really, it is not so bad.
I really wish I could look after your puppy for you, but you should be OK to do it and it will be a tonic for you to take your mind off of things.

You start today - you will feel better knowing what the first RT is like, then you will start counting down. Weekly reviews - tell them everything you are experiencing - make sure you moisturise everything every day with Aveeno or similar - the RT crew will give you creams for the tender bits. Wishing you luck and all good things.