Treatment question

Hi Paula. Radiotherapy will likely take around 15 minutes though the actual treatment is only around 5/10 minutes of that. Chemotherapy takes up most of the day because he will have blood tests, be given fluids, chemo and then will have his RT.

I don't think you will be able to stay with him for chemo so he best have something to do, take a tablet and his phone. It will be a long day.

I think hospitals are letting relatives in to wait while patients have their RT. Sometimes I had an hours wait before my treatment session (but not often) 

Best of luck

Thank you Dani, this info helps me plan a little in my head in a world where I feel I can't plan anything at the moment xx

It's pants isn't it....but you soon get into a routine and tick off the days.

I was lucky in avoiding chemo but the RT is the main event and the thing that causes all the pain. If I had to limit my advice it would be to do as he's told by the medical staff, keep his weight up, take pain killers by the clock and not be brave. If something isn't working tell the radiographers. They are his point of daily contact with the rest of his team

Click on Mark's name. he has a useful diary of his treatment MarkEL 

Thank you Dani, I will have a read xx

Hi Paula, I had my chemo once a week which took all day, my wife was allowed to come in and stay with me, and carers could wait in the waiting room at the RT area, however this was before covid so I'm not sure if it would be the same now, although things are easing up now with restrictions.

Hi Dani has said most of it. I did have chemo mine was every 3 weeks and my days were long 10 hours. If he’s having weekly chemo days are much shorter inc radiotherapy around 5 hours. My cancer centre are now allowing one person to stay on chemo ward. So worth asking. Also if he having a peg fitted tell him to use it if he needs  it Sometimes men try to be brave 

Hazel x

Hi Paula

I had 2 lots of chemo, Cisplatin, and they were both overnight stays in hospital

Shirley

Thank you again for all for your replies xx

Hi Paula,

I was able to wait while my husband had RT, which took about 20 mins. I was able to stay for the first chemo treatment but had to drop him off after that. I think this depends on the hospital Trust that you are with. The chemo day for my husband was reviews  with radiologist and specialist nurse, speech therapist and dietitians .

I work near our trust and used to go in on chemo day. It was a day when I felt less responsibility as I knew he had a whole team watching over him. Almost like respite. It’s hard being a carer too,  so do take time to take care of yourself. 

My husband finished treatment 7 weeks ago , get in touch if you have any questions. This forum is just the best. 

best of luck for your husband’s treatment

jackie

Thank you Jackie, that sounds like a good idea for chemo days as would be good to catch up with colleagues/friends too. It certainly takes over both of our lives at the moment, not that I am complaining as know that he would support me too if roles were reversed xx