Radiotherapy

Hi,  I had 30 radiotherapy treatments last year at this time.  One of the nurses told me at the beginning drink water as much as you can. I used to drink 4/5 pints a day.  To be fair the radiotherapy was the easiest thing about my treatment.  I watched the pattern of the machine so I knew when it was nearly finished.  I was very tired too and the tiredness went on for months. I asked for a blood test to check my thyroid, but  I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes instead. A very high sugar was making me tired. Hope this helps. 

Thanks Trish

i was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007 and been careful since then.

you would think they would share the illness around and give us a break. I had nasal cancer and ended up having my nose removed so when I had the radio I used to have a dummy plug put in the nose space.  I hated the mask though I am a bit claustrophobic so every treatment was a trial in my head. I hope you skip through the rest of them.  It does seem to go really quickly. Take care

Hello Bawbee, it does sound a bit early for the radio to be causing the dryness and tiredness, as Trish said drink lots of water if possible or if you are using your rig/peg instead make sure you also put enough water through it as you can still get dehydrated. The tiredness could be just part of the cancer journey where tiredness is a big factor, tests with all the stress, appointments, and the actual cancer. Good advice from Trish, all the best, take care.

                                                                           Chris x

Hi Chris, I hope you are keeping well.  I’ve got the teeth but I won’t be on peanuts for quite a while.  I feel like I’m breaking them in for a horse haha.. got an appointment with the Plastic man on Friday to see what miracles he can perform to a least making me feel like an adult… it difficult when you have a hole in the middle of your face, I think I am more worried about it than the others are.. so will be on for a new nose then.  Had a banana sandwich the other day. I had to pull it from together to eat it as I can’t bite it.  But all send to test us.

Hi Bawbee. We are all different in the way our bodies tackle things. Most things that happen during treatment are normal. I had just the one zap and my submandibular salivary glands swelled up so much I looked like a hamster for a couple of days. 

Hi,

I had 30 RT earlier this year, by the 4th I wondered how I was going to get through the rest, but the last 5 weeks flew by.  Are you having chemo? I was lucky with that and it gave me a bounce, made me less dehydrated and able to eat more for a few days. As per the others keep up with the water, supplement with PEG where needed if you have one. I used saliva spray in my second week, then didn't need it again until treatment completed. It's been a warm few days too, so that in itself could be affecting both tiredness and hydration. Hope you manage to find what works. Everyone on here has been, and continues to be an amazing help with great tips, so keep popping on if you need support.

Take care, Ronnie 

Thanks Ronnie,

no chemotherapy for me, as yet, but it is still an option. I have been taking immune suppressant medication since March last year and the feeling is that my immune system would’t manage or might interfere with chemo.

i had a RIG tube fitted last Friday and I am still getting used to wearing this - not being used yet for feeding.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Makes sense on the chemo front. The pipework does take a bit of getting used to. I really hated mine to start with, especially as the stoma weeped lots and I struggled with how best to 'store' it all day. So used to it now that when explaining to my granddaughter the other week why I can't carry her much I lifted up my top to show her grandma's tummy trunk! Hope the RIG all ok.

Take care!! 

Good evening Trish, great to hear you have got the teeth now, they do take a bit of getting used to, maybe by Christmas nuts will be on the menu . I hope all goes well tomorrow, it's surprising how clever these people are and they do their utmost in making us feel better. I admire your determination Trish with the eating keep up the good work slowly but surely you will see further improvement. Im all good thanks even better now we have had some rain ,once again hope your appointment goes ok, take care.

                                                                            Chris x