Radiotherapy Complications!

Hi Fiona,

I gather that radiotherapy sessions (once you’ve had the planning) are very short, so you shouldn’t have the same sort of problems with your shoulder and arm. But when you get the planning appointment speak to the team and they will try to help as much as possible.

it may help to have a look at the monthly radiotherapy thread, I will ‘bump’ it up for you

Hugs xxx

Hi Fiona,

I had my ct scan and positioning session last week. I was still quite sore from surgery and found getting into position a bit painful but the nurses realised this and were really reassuring and provided me with a back support and another for under my knees.

I did actually burst into tears, partly due to the pain, but I think most of that stemmed from the emotions of the whole situation, again the realisation of my cancer diagnosis. 

My pain stems from a tight abdomen due to reconstruction surgery. My arm is a bit tight but bearable. I’ve been persevering with my arm exercises and now doing some exercises for my back too.

My treatment is on the RHS so I’m not required to hold my breath. I appreciate that must be difficult especially if your uncomfortable. I was lying flat but I did have some padding under my back. I’m assuming you’ll start your treatment next week so perhaps you could give them a call and speak to one of the nurses about your concerns. I’m sure there would be a chance to talk to them on the day too if that isn’t possible. And it’s likely they will call you the day before anyway. 

Please get in touch if you’d like to talk more.

Take care x 

Hi Fiona068, good advice already re discussing your concerns with the team. And the actual sessions were definitely shorter than the scan. A lot of the time is spent getting you in the right position while the actual zapping is pretty quick. Re lying flat, I was not lying flat for my sessions, I was on a contraption that was more like a garden recliner, and was adjustable for back and legs. It felt very supportive and not at all like lying flat on my back. Re the breathing, I did have to do the breath hold as it was on my left side, but was assured that if I couldn’t manage it they could make other adjustments to allow for this. I’m tagging lesleyhelen as I’m sure she has commented on this before. 
Sorry you are still in pain, it does sound quite soon to be having your rads but then I was panicking because I had a big gap - 10 weeks between op and start of rads. I was glad of the healing time as I’d had a big haematoma which seemed to take ages to resolve itself but was worried about the wait, we just can’t win really! 
Sending love and a big but gentle virtual hug, HFxx

Hi Fiona068
Thanks to HappyFeet1 for tagging me

I had left sided radio and as I'd had a road accident at 17 which meant I had lost  my right elbow, I couldn't have my arms above my head - they just couldn't position me properly.  My radio team were brilliant.  They reassured me that although I couldn't do the breathe technique it just meant they had to do more calculations to ensure that the beams didn't go near my heart.  They said it was absolutely nothing to worry about and that it was just 'a bit more work for them'. 

As it was, I sailed through radiotherapy - no tiredness or anything!  I drove every day for the 60 miles there and back no problems and it's about 3 years ago that I had it with no side effects whatsoever.  

If you can't manage it, they'll sort it, so don't worry.  I ended up doing my own holding of breath when I knew the machine was switched on / did very shallow breathing, so I wasn't moving around much.  There were a couple of times when they struggled to get me into the right position (them not me) based on their calculations so although they started, they had to stop and re start again - but other than that it really was fine.

Try not to worry - they will make sure you are  safe!

Best wishes, Lesley x 

Thanks Moomy   I am hoping that it won’t be too difficult and I can cope with that amount of time although I don’t know how my shoulders will be at the end of it! There’s been a further complication as the dates have come through and the sessions are going to be over the Christmas period at 4.24 every day! I am a single parent with no family support so that’s going to be fun! Xx

Thanks Littlesdum , I know what you mean about the realisation of our diagnosis  I think I should have stayed with the yoga as that might have helped with all the movements that they wanted me to make! The staff team felt to me to be a bit annoyed that I was struggling with it all and I had taken some pain relief before so they seemed to suggest that I might need to go through it all again...apparently I wasn’t breathing deeply enough and was letting air out! The dates given to me are problematic too! Happy Days! 

Thanks Happy Feet1 , that’s good to know that you were able to sit in a more reclined position rather than lying firm flat! I was hoping that the radiotherapy would be quick and they have given me t dates which will take place over the Christmas holidays which is great as I am also waiting for kidney cancer surgery to take place but I am a single parent with an 11 year old and no family suppor

Thank you Elizabeth, that’s great to know that you managed so well through it! I am hoping that the staff were just feeling a bit grumpy the other morning! They suggested that I might have to go thrgh the tests again...so that might delay the process but that might be ok as the dates they have given me are right over the Christmas holidays!

Sorry to hear the staff weren’t very understanding. Hopefully there will be different staff when you have your treatment.... Re your appointments you could discuss your situation with them and request  different appointment times that  would be more convenient for childcare. I had one appointment scheduled for 8.00am and they were able to rearrange  it for me when I explained it made childcare difficult. 

The actual treatment was very quick, approximately 4 minutes. The positioning took longer! Good luck with everything