Starting radiation therapy

Wish i was put out like all rest  had  mrs said local wish i said general

Hello Hank

Scampidoodle said:

RT is a doddle, so long as you do as you are told!

And that's all there is to it - just remember to keep off the food that gives you wind - beans, pulses, green leaf vegetables etc and the fizzy drinks, coffee and alcohol and you will sail through it.

Be aware fatigue will be lurking in the shadows waiting to grab you - so keep up with the exercise too.

I hope all goes well with it - remember - any issues tell your radiographer.

Best wishes

Brian.

Hi

I had 24 samples trans perineum (template) under a local. A bit of discomfort but not too bad. The nurse topped up the anaesthetic if I experienced too much discomfort. Recovered pretty quickly apart from some blood in urine/stools for a short period. Mentally a bit gruelling but quite manageable. So don't get too phased if you have to go through this it was manageable in my case.

Rob

Hello Hank

Just to reassure you, I've just finished 20 sessions of RT and am pleased to say that I've very little by way of side effects. The main thing is to get into a good routine with your bladder and bowel. In my case they recommended Senna after my planning scan and the first few sessions of Rt were interrupted as my bowel wasn't right. Try and get your RT appointments at around the same time each day, in my case very early morning, and allow 30 minutes before your appointment to drink water to ensure your bladder is reasonably full. They will have measured the urine volume at the planning scan, in my case 340ml, and there has to be at least 50% of that before they will deliver the RT. I found it quite disconcerting to have to get off the "sunbed" (as millibob calls it) because bladder or bowel wasn't right. On the other hand, it was reassuring to now staff would not deliver RT until everything looked right. After the first 3 or 4 sessions, I got up earlier, as I was advised to have a bit of breakfast as this stimulates the bowel movement about 30 minutes later. I could then travel to the hospital, about 40 minutes, go to the loo again, and then top up on water.  Every session then went like clockwork.

Hope this helps. I'm feeling tired so have been having a nap in the afternoon but coming out of that now, a week after ringing the bell! oh, and I echo what has been said about diet, keep off anything that gives you flatulence. 

Keep positive!

All the best Bob

Hello Bob

That's a frank and honest review of radiotherapy and I echo your sentiments. On a personal note I am so pleased it went well for you and it's great to see you feeling fine (OK so we all get the fatigue) after your 20 sessions on "The Sunbed".

It will feel almost like you are in the wilderness now you have completed your treatment - I know I felt like that until my follow up appointment dropped through the door.

At Christies in Oldham I have had my 6 month post RT meeting and have joined their scheme (Forgotten it's name - old age - but it's on my profile) where for the next 18 months I have PSA tests every 6 months at the GP's. These go to the hospital and I self monitor myself - any issues or worries, give them a call.

Best wishes Bob

Brian.