Kick off time next week

Hi Minmax

At least that’s done. Yes MRI is pants. I agree. My experience of RT is 10 minutes from being clipped down to being unclipped. I had eyeholes cut in the mask so that I could watch the delivery head go round and the shape of the beam change as it did. Fascinating! 
I got Diprobase prescribed for my neck but found it too greasy so used Cetraben. Absolutely nothing to be put on before hand but as soon as I got into the car to go home I put lots of Aloe Vera gel on. I never burned at all. It just got a bit red and warm. I think if you burn in the sun you are more likely to have more of an effect. You’ll get stuff if you burn. 

Don’t use E45 it has alcohol in it and will irritate your skin. 

RT doesn’t hurt. You don’t feel the treatment  at all but from the end of the second week your throat will know. 
I didn’t have Chemo but those that did got the drugs they needed. 

You’re well on the way to treatment and recovery now

Thanks Dani for the heads up on E45 unless they do an alcohol free one. Aloe Vera sounds . Last thing I want is to make my situation worse Regards Min 

I took my own music in for my RT sessions which helped enormously. I used Aveeno moisturiser on my neck and didn’t burn either. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine

Thanks Knitty thats handy to know on the sounds and moisturiser. Many Thanks Regards Min 

Hi Min 

Dani has covered the radiotherapy,I burn easily so was always wary that I may burn and yes I did .But the radiotherapy teams  knew what to do ,from week 5 I was wrapped up in cling film around my neck then mask put on,They have a hospital grade cling film so that did it’s job.Don't put anything on prior to treatment  please.Also be careful of your lips don’t use anything with petroleum jelly in them  ie Vaseline or it will burn I used burts bees natural lip balm.

i has chemotherapy you will get your care package in yiur first chemotherapy session , best advise take everything exactly as they say, anti sickness meds the steroids to.What I Did was create a rick sheet wrote everything down and took them as directed.I was a lucky one never was sick .My chemo was delivered in a planned 3 sessions think yours is weekly ,no right or wrong way it’s down to hospital policy.I had 2 out of planned 3 sessions the last one a joint decision with my oncologist we decided the main lump had gone I had taken the first 2  sessions really well no need to risk the 3rd. If advised  would have been to have the 3 rd I would have taken it .Be careful with your ears if you experience any ringing at all bring it to their attention as the cisplatin can be changed to carboplatin .

Best advise on painkillers always make sure you have them  before a weekend as invariably it’s always Friday night /Saturday morning so around week 2-3 just make sure you are ok.

You will  be fine 

Hazel

Thanks Hazel Its one of those situations where you seriously dont want to screw up on. I had this conversation today with the dietician after her telling me to eat everything as if you weight drops by 5 % they do the hose down the nose. I am eating normally which I hope will stand me in good stance and walking a few miles every morning. On an up note I was told my last treatment day at the end of January  . Then things will really kick in , Hopefully not lol

Hi. I had Carboplatin as have slight tinnitus. Took al the meds even though I wasn't nauseous and chemo wasn't a problem. RT treatment was 5 minutes, took longer to get dressed and undressed (music helps a lot). PET scan a doddle (MRI awful). Don't allow yourself to get bunged up, it happens so quickly with the cocodamol  (I think that was the culprit). I used Simple moisturiser but was told to use only after RT. Hubby also found a 1000 calorie milkshake drink with chocolate & peanuts if you need a boost. I found the RT treatment (although tough from about week 3 eating wise) an enormous boost to getting through treatment as it keeps you focused. Good luck.

Hi Piya Have you been through the wringer yet ?. Sounds like a good idea with the music , That MRI was like mental torture for me. 1000 calorie milk shake sounds good. I do really wonder if 25% get by without having a tube fitted. I think that is the part that freaks me out a bit but nurse says they have all the treatments to hand. I hope they give them to me if required lol Many Thanks Regards Min 

Minmax said:

I do really wonder if 25% get by without having a tube fitted.

From what you said I think 25% don't get a PEG. If your nurse is suggesting that she has treatments to hand you better make sure from the outset that she includes a nasogastric tube in that treatment. Hazel and I have had a few hairy moments with friends who got them in the end but not in a timely fashion. It needs nutrition to get through treatment and you mustn't be worrying about getting an adequate intake. Have another word to clarify

Hi Dani As i mentioned Peg was offered but due to risk of bleeding etc that Idea was binned. She said Doctor said I can have tube if required. I thought she ment 25% of people dont need anything. Ops maybe I picked it up wrong . Someone else did mention it depends where they are treating , mine is base of tongue and lymph nodes , Which I think is seriously in the firing line. Thanks Regards Min