Travelling

I was already wiped out when I started my chemo-radiotherapy treatment (April 2017) because it was preceded by a radical hysterectomy.  My hospital was about 15 miles away and the journey often took longer than it might have done because of traffic congestion.  I didn't have access to a car so I had patient transport and sometimes had to wait up to 90 minutes for it arrive which was particulary gutty at the end of a long chemo day.  It was even more difficult because my hysterectomy did a lot of nerve damage to my bladder and I was  catheterised throughout. I often felt nauseous because of the chemo but managed to cope with by having a bit of cheddar cheese to nibble on which seemed to help. i also had pretty bad diarrhoea from the radiotherapy but made sure I wore an incontinence pad just in case.  Looking back I guess I just steeled myself every day and got through it because I had to - it all feels a bit surreal now. I was never sick nor did I have any embarrassing diarrhoea episodes either during the transport or at the hospital.  I think I used to feel more poorly at home when I was more relaxed - maybe somehow I held it all back until I was at home and it was OK to have diarrhoea or be sick.

Hope all goes well for you.

x

Hi Penny, 

I had 31 miles to travel each day for treatment, the travel is hard going. I treated it like a job, Monday - Friday I got up and got on with it and weekends I relaxed and recovered. I made a list of each appointment on the fridge and ticked it off as I went, that way I could see the progress. I found taking the anti sickness medication to the letter even if I didn’t feel sick helped with the long journey home. Rest as much as you can and download some of your favourite songs to listen to whilst having chemo helped. 
Very best wishes, you’ve got this

Thank you Beth, I hope you're doing much better now. You're right. I think we do just steel ourselves and get on with it.  I've managed to get most of the treatments sorted out so I've only got a 25 minute trip to hospital and I've bought some incontinence pads etc as you suggested so thank you. 

I'm still waiting for a treatment start date x 

Thank you, I guess we just get on and do what we have to do. The anxiety build up of how we will possibly cope is the worst bit. 

Hi Penny,

I had to travel quite a way for my chemo radiotherapy. Am not going to lie it was hard work especially when the appointment was at 8.30 in the morning and my parents wasn't available to look after my new born. It was like a unenjoyable family day out! There were some days I wouldnt want to get out the car once I arrived. My top tips would be make sure you take a drink, something you can vomit into (not nice but essential) go the toilet before you leave and take an imodium and know where the nearest toilet is at the hospital so you can jump out and run when needed! I done 5 weeks radiotherapy and looking back now I dont know how I did it but you do. One day your sitting in the car not wanting to go in and the next its your last session. Good luck!! I hope everything goes well for you.

H x x x