I feel overwhelmed

Hi Joyjoy and a warm welcome to the board. Yes it can seem overwhelming so I’m glad you’ve joined us here as there’s lots of support and advice. 6 months sounds like quite a long stint of chemo radiotherapy. Is it because they want to avoid surgery? 

So the chemo radiotherapy consists of lying on a table at the hospital while the machine zaps the tumour. The actual treatment takes about 10 minutes but there can be some waiting around if they are running behind or a machine is out of order. The chemo is in tablet form and is a low dosage that is given to enhance the effect of the radiotherapy. I’ve attached a link to a ‘top tips’ post that we did.
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/227598/radiotherapy-care-top-tips

Have you spoken to your colorectal/macmillan nurse about the transport issue? I think most hospitals can arrange transport although it might involve getting picked up quite a while before your appointment?

I have attached a link below to a page where you can input your postcode and it will tell you about local support? 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/in-your-area?pcode=

Theres also lots of support and guidance on the support desk and the number is at the bottom of my post 

Please don’t feel stupid - nobody can prepare for this sort of situation. It’s hard to predict how you’ll feel during your treatment. If I’m honest I found it pretty doable and continued working but others have found that the fatigue can build up over the course. The main thing is to talk to the radiographers if you’ve any concerns and then to listen to your body? If you need a siesta then have one, leave the dusting for another day, get a ready made meal out of the freezer - be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help/a favour off friends - they’ll be glad that they’re able to help.

Hope this has helped a bit and please ask if you’ve any worries - we’re all happy to help

Take care

Karen x

Well to start with, that’s good news, I’m pleased for you.

The treatment sounds daunting, but thank goodness for it, and for the availability, and the NHS, the logistics re getting to and from the hospital sound even more daunting! 

a couple of thoughts.

Are you in a position to rent nearer to the hospital for 6 months?

Do the hospital have a transport system?  I remember when my Mum had to get to The Royal Free from Surrey every month, they provided transport. In cars or mini buses. That was 10 to 15 years ago, things may have changed.

i think that some hospitals have a team of volunteers who use their own cars to pick patients up and take them home. Again this may have changed. 

Presumably your oncology team will have come across this situation and will be able to advise possible solutions

Thank you. Yes someone else has suggested volunteer transport so I'll investigate that. I focus on finished by Christmas but I was expecting an operation so the daily routine for 6 months threw me. My husband died last year so I miss a shoulder to lean on and talk things through with.

The tumour is large and very low so operating would be difficult. I suppose I thought it would be operable so was shocked with the alternative which hadn't occurred to me. Thank you for your advice and the local contact link especially. This has all been very sudden, no symptoms until April to now with pain and discomfort and diagnosis. I'll start stocking the freezer and organise a dog walker. My lad has been a lifeline since my husband died last year and seems to understand things aren't right! I feel a bit more positive now and will write down questions for my pre op meeon Friday!

It must be so hard doing this alone! 

Like you, I'm a coper. I just get on with things. But I have always needed that person to be a sounding board while I wrestled with a problem. No doubt this is one thing your husband did for you. 

We can't replace your husband but we can be someone to talk to. Keep coming back for the support you are missing. That's why we're here. 

My husband has a similar problem and started 5 weeks of chemoradiation on 29th May (having done 3 cycles of chemo). We were a bit apprehensive but soon found that he was in a group who had similar appointment times and so we meet the same faces each day - it does make the experience easier as they are so friendly - I hope you find the same. 

Transport  for cancer patients around here seems easy to organise, although some face a long wait to get home afterwards - depending on others going in the same direction.

We have agreed that for these 5 weeks the focus is the treatment and only basic housework, meal prep and laundry will happen - anything else is a bonus. We have to get up at 6am for this period and get home about 12 - due to distance and traffic. I have found that preparing as much in advance as I can does help and stick to a rigid routine in the mornings - so you really don't need to think too much! 

And if anyone asks what they can do to help find something for them to do!

I hope it all goes well for you - we have felt so supported by all the staff we've met on the journey that it's made a very worrying time much easier to deal with.