This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

** November RADIOTHERAPY Chat 2019 **

FormerMember
FormerMember
  • 108 replies
  • 283 subscribers
  • 97104 views

Hello to all of you wonderful people, who are currently going through radiotherapy and welcome to Novembers Radiotherapy Chat Radioactive

This is a place where you can offer support , ask for advice, receive support and just query anything involving radiotherapy. A couple of quick tips, if you're driving to your radiotherapy appointments each day, or any time, ask if your hospital offers free parking for people going through treatment, or if they have a voucher for a discount off parking fees, which a lot of hospitals do offer. Also, try to keep the area moisturised with a fragrance free lotion, to help with soreness. You'll find want more tips along the way on this thread.

For more tips, here's our Radiotherapy Tips Page and I'm sure you all have some of your own tips to share, and ones that people post that you will find useful. 

Here's also A link from the Macmillan Information pages, and this helpful video that some of you may want to have a look at. 

This is a link to Octobers but for some reason it wasn't used ? It will be locked shortly for replies, but you can still take a look. 

Whatever reason you find yourselves here, just remember you're all so strong, amazing and simply the bravest. You've got me again this month! And we are always here for you. You'll always have your Macmillan family here for you, which includes other members who have helped you and been there for you.

G n' J

  • Thanks for starting this, I kinda thought I’d be on me own!

    fingers crossed I’ll be starting towards the end of the month, just waiting for the planning appointment having seen onc#2 last week. 
    Had minimal problems with chemo so hoping rads will be much the same.

    xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to ruthie2

    I'll have planning appointment for radiotherapy Thursday next week, with CT scan and getting tattoos, as well as conversation with the consultant.

    So I guess I'll start the treatment in early December.

    Lets keep in touch here, ruthie2.

    Most worried about the fatigue that can come with the treatment, and last for some time after it.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi dreierlei

    I'm three weeks after 15 treatment session. The process is hard work. My traveling and treatment time ranged do from 3 .5 hours to 2 hours. I drove myself. I've finished cooking as they say!!!!!Three weeks from the end and just about back to my normal self give or take the letrozole.

    So take it easy, be kind to yourself and don't arrange anything for after treatment days. Machines break down , traffic is crap and trying to be somewhere else is stress you don't need.

    Wear comfy clothes and spend as much time as possible braless or topless.

    You'll be fine.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    P.S. you are not on your own it just seems like the radiotherapy people are less vocal than the chemo people. As for those doing both well .......

    Yes I'm joking, sort of.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thanks, Silverberg.

    As I live 3 hours by train one way from the treatment centre in Dublin, I will stay there in a kind of private room from Monday to Friday. This is a facility provided for people who can't travel there each day because of distance. Am really glad about this.

    Don't wear a bra anyway.

    Hope to be able to visit some museums, galleries.

    I will hav15 sessions, like you.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    OMG

    It won't be the treatment it will be the boredom that kills you!!

    I hope you've got a kindle, I wouldn't be able to carry the number of books I'd need. I think I'd go to the cinema too but the whole thing with food etc must cost a fortune. My local hospital is at Huddersfield but I had to go to Jimmys in Leeds. 

    One of the nurses I came across dealing with my feet (long story) stayed in accommodation at Jimmys. She said it was hard but she didn't have an option.

    Please feel free to send personal e mails. Not sure how we do that but I'll try to keep you entertained. At least feel not alone.

  • I finished Rads in June, I went to the Rosemere centre in Preston. Lovely staff. It’s a bind to have to go everyday as it was about an hours drive there and bk but I was lucky as I didn’t wait that long for treatment, only a couple of times they were behind or a machine wasn’t in use.

    I didn’t have any problems with rads, just remember to moisturise a lot. 

  • Morning, your ahead of me @Dreierlei !

    itd be great to keep in touch, Hope you don’t get too bored & hope you can get out and about.

     i nearly had to go to Leeds too which would have been around an hour each way as I’m being treated nr Bradford but luckily I managed to get moved and am now going to Preston which is only around 40 min each way  how did you find the parking? I’ve been told you get some kind of ticket so it’s only £2.50 a time but my sons girlfriend who’s a radiographer there tells me that it’s really hard to find a space.

    They don’t do the breath holding there either according to onc I saw (dr young - lovely lady) as it’s my left side I’m a little concerned but they aren’t so I suppose that’s should be good enough for me. I imagine I’ll be told about moisturiser etc at the planning appointment but if not I’ll be asking here.

    and I get my very first ct scan too! 

  • You got lost in the end of month cross over (took me ages to figure out why I couldn't reply...Durr)

    Anyway now I'm here...


    Thanks for your kind, and obviously wise words !

    I think its important to remind those undergoing chemo that some of us (quite possibly more in the minority) are not finding this journey "too bad" and that having a positive mental attitude helps buckets, also getting out & about (am loving cycling and gyming from being a lazy slob pre cancer) and having a healthy diet can help tonnes.

    Also I am quite an accomplished rambler (in writing & chatting) and like to try & cheer others, particularly at quite challenging times in lives and if that doesn't work my attempts serve to bolster another love of my life, annoying people, it's a win-win all round! And rest assured my friends/family & long suffering man get it a whole lot worse (set up a whatsup, the northern one!, group to update, entertain & annoy them...its good fun and saves repeating the same stuff over & over).

    Post 4th (and last) EC last week feeling fine, tiredness on an evening has been getting cumulatively worse (the main annoying side effect is this is that I end up having to watch recorded TV programmes 3 times to get through them and understand the full plot if am attempting to watch after 9pm), otherwise still fine & dandy. I know next week when the meds given post chemo (by the lovely drug dealer Debbie) end that will be my relatively rough week, but still able to do everything just feel quite pathetic whilst "soldiering" on!!
    I also find it helps to keep notes so I remember what to expect next cycle..my poo diary is still awaiting a publisher however...

    Hope you get your results soon and they're goodies. Keep as much optimism as you can...

    Sam X

    My secret? Being daft & staying positive.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Yorkshire_defector

    Hi Sam  /

    Did you mean to post this in the Nov Chemotherapy Chat (link) as this is the one is for Rads ?

    G n' J

1 2 3 4 5 »