Can I ask if this is the new route to me can I ask how long the treatment takes each day ? And r u fit to drive after ??
Hi Ali66
The treatment itself takes around 10 minutes, but the time in hospital can be much longer. I had to start the drinking protocol 45 mins before my appointment-drinking the prescribed amount of water to have a full bladder by the appointment time.
My radiotherapy department was a very busy one, so my appointment was rarely at the right time, and there were frequent delays due to machines being in maintenance or out of use, so less machines for the same amount of people. The longer the delay for me, the more likely I would need to use the loo, which meant starting the drinking all over again. Some days were a nightmare to be fair. But if you have good bladder control it wouldn’t be an issue. You can drive afterwards no problem, especially if you are not far from the hospital. I can’t drive, so was driven to my appointments by my partner but it was 1.5 hours each way every day and my main issue on the way home was again bladder control! Radiotherapy affects are cumulative, so tiredness was a real issue for me in the last 2 weeks. You could start off by driving yourself to see how you go, and I’m sure lots of ladies managed fine all the way through. Treatment is painless-you don’t feel anything while it’s happening.
Days with chemo are long, because you also have radiotherapy the same day. I would go to chemo about 9am, for a 10am appointment to give time to set the drips up and get the cannula in, then you have various infusions and flushes put in along with the actual drug. I would be finished about 3.30, then head to radio. Sometimes it would be around 7 before I got home. But as I say, I live a long way from my hospital, so other ladies will be able to report much better timings.
Sarah xx
I had no idea I would have such long periods at the hospital, and I had 32 radiotherapy sessions-sometimes I thought it was never going to end. But of course it did, and you just have to keep plodding on a day at a time.
Sarah xx
Hi CJ86
How are you feeling with your treatment? Hope you’re doing ok with it. The effects were definitely cumulative for me, so from week 3 it became harder.
Sarah xx
That all sounds really positive! It’s good you are able to keep up with moving and exercise, and our bodies often crave what they actually need-I’ve often found myself craving tuna or tomatoes for example. Just keep going as long as you can, and you may be one of the lucky ladies who doesn’t suffer from side effects. You’re doing really well so far!
Sarah xx
