Surgery or Radiotherapy? Decision made!

Hi AW,

Brilliant to read you recent post. Inspirational to all new comers!

So Jacob is starting RT on Thursday, 6 sessions of total 36gy over 6 weeks. This is only to the primary tumor, the prostate.

I read from members post that the basic of it is full bladder and empty bowels. Jacob said he will eat very little in the morning anyway. Also we know to avoid wind food like cauliflower and broccoli and to be next to the loo. 

Saying the above, I am asking the good people here if they have any tips to add to that and if Jacob will be able to keep his daily swim. 

Any tips, advise or good words will help.

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi Dafna,

The time for Jacob's radiotherapy seems to have suddenly come upon us. A couple of tips - try and get the same time appointment for each session as this will make meal planning easier and keep the bowels regular. If your current diet does not cause wind or bloating and generates a regular healthy daily motion then only a little precautionary tweaking may be necessary. Avoid alcohol. Generally I made sure that fruit was peeled and vegetables cooked, plus avoided sweetcorn and anything that might tend to go straight through. I also avoided large meals but generally gave hubby something to eat every 2.5 to 3 hours, even if it was just a slice of cake or a piece of fruit between the three main meals.

Swimming is an interesting one. Hubby was told he could shower, but use a gentle soap like Dove and not to go swimming in chlorine, but he could in the sea. I think the answer is to ask the question at his first session.

Fatigue did build up whilst hubby had his EBRT 4 years ago but this time round during the 5 sessions of SBRT it has really hit him so tell Jacob not to push himself too hard and rest when he needs to.

Having the radiotherapy feels like a positive step in actually getting rid of the cancer so I will be cheering you on and let us know how it goes.

AW.  Interesting to read your post RT position.  All very positive.

Your healthful work/life balance sounds idyllic.  All that exercise, fresh air and vit d will be a real tonic to your system.

D

Thank you AH. This is really helpful!

Lots of hugs

Dafna

AH has given most of the good advice.  It is important to get into YOUR routine.

It is important to maintain good hydration at all times.  My RT sessions were at 11.30.  I always gave myself 3 hours in the morning prior to departure in order to consume about 750 mls of water.  Upon arrival at the hospital I would take a further 750 mls.  I would finish this 750 mls a minimum of 30 mins before the RT.  It takes about a minimum of 30 mins to reach the bladder.  It is important to be within the sweet spot of approx 150 mls to about 200 mls residual urine in the bladder at the point of RT ie not too much and not too little.  

With the enema I always endeavoured to have exited the toilet 45 mins before the RT.  Once administered I went at a max of 15 mins afterwards even though no urge.                                   The nozzle on the end of the applicator can be quite sharp once the cap has been twisted off.  You don't want to scratch the rectum particularly as you advance with the RT.  I used to have a tiny jar of vaseline which I used to apply slightly inside, on each insertion.

Research I have done says to avoid all antioxidant supplements during RT because although highly beneficial in protecting and healing irradiated normal tissue, there is a risk that it will also protect the cancerous tissue.  I therefore stopped all my vit c and vit d etc supplements prior to and post RT.

Avoid high fibre, spicy foods, and caffeine.  I drank weak tea though.  Alcohol is a no no.

You have to be very careful regarding 'wet wind'.  I had 2 accidents and learned to go to the toilet to pass wind - just in case!  I could have launched the Hindenberg!

I found that sitting to pee helped both with wind and restricted flow due to the RT.

I found that having a 30 minute nap in the afternoon helped considerably with the fatigue.

Chat to fellow travellers at the unit.  It helps to get by and not look upon each visit as a chore.

Dedalus

Thank you D. Your reply is amazing in terms of practical tips and advise. Much appropriated.

Many thanks

Dafna

Hello Daphna, Has it really been 6 months since you joined the forum, and you have been an inspiration to everyone, me included, though Jacob and i have a similar diagnosis our RT treatment is different, so will leave advice to others, but i can offer my best wishes to you both and hope treatment is the success we all hope it will be for Jacob and his amazing wife, take care.

Eddie xx

Hi Eddie,

Thank you so much for this lovely message! I did not expect this!!

Thank you for the good wishes. I just wish he will stay strong as he is so I will ask for nothing more.

Lots of love

Dafna

Your very welcome Dafna, I will have everything crossed for Jacob, best wishes.

Eddie xx

Hello you two.

He's on a well travelled route, he will be fine and the "sunbed" will be over quicker than you think.

Just remember to ask any questions to the Radiography team - they have amazing knowledge and are keen to help.

On a personal note - thank you for your support on the forum for everyone else going through treatment - your posts have helped more people than you think. You are always positive and your positive attitude comes across with lots of empathy - so thanks for being with us all on this journey  - it's not gone unnoticed. 

Kind Regards - Brian.