Treatment Plan

Hi DivonneS , Great that you now have a plan in place.  We all react differently to treatments.  Firstly the HT may give you fatigue but probably depends on how fit you were at the start and if you can maintain some level of fitness.  The RT is likely to compound any fatigue but again is usually manageable. I drove myself to all 37 RT sessions but towards the end of treatment would have a nap when I got home.  RT can cause other (usually temporary) bowel, bladder or stomach issues depending on what is being zapped.  I had a few problems but the team sorted everything out (they have seen it all before).  Overall my experience was way better than I was fearing.  You just lie still and don’t feel a thing.

Preparing for RT is a topic in itself.  In the uk we have a planning session first and I wasn’t sure if you have had that or been given advice about how to present for RT (bladder full or empty).  Hope this helps. David

Hi David2017, 

Thx... your note makes me feel better. I am not super fit by any measure but generally healthy for my age(73). Walking the neighbours dog is my only real exercise. 

Preparation in France is I think the same as UK. We had a planning session & what they call a simulation CT scan. This is for them to measure? where everything is & for me to check I could empty my bowels as well as fill my bladder. The first not a problem the bladder was a bit trickier because I have an hour drive to get to the hospital.

I took .5L in the car & .5L when I arrived. It worked well but I must say I was relieved to get to the toilet after the session ended. They also put 3 tattoos(markers) across my lower stomach area. 

My only surprise so far is that at the planning session with my Radiologist & yesterdays CT scan no one has yet mentioned diet (or what I should & shouldn't eat). However I have researched this.

 DivonneS , that’s good so you know exactly what happens during the sessions.  Diet is pretty much common sense I think. Avoid anything that gives you wind and fizzy drinks.  You will get into a routine with the water drinking and the main problems for me were the drive home (I carried an emergency bottle in the car) and the Groundhog Day feeling but I did do 37 sessions!  Best wishes David

Hi DivonneS .

I would run the idea of flying so soon after finishing pelvic radiotherapy past your medical team. There is possibly a greater risk of DVT. Also the radiotherapy does cause 'bruising' to the areas treated for a few days after sessions have ended which can result in a narrowing of the urethra and in extreme cases need catheterization.

As David said, fatigue is usually the main side effect, plus you might have greater urgency and frequency in needing the loo so a RADAR key might be useful. My husband was advised to avoid alcohol and caffeine plus anything that can cause wind like greens, broccoli, cauliflower and beans.

All the best for your treatment.

Thx for the  info. & I will ask my Radiologist but this is only a short haul flight of 80 minutes so I am think the risk of DVT would be small. Anyone else flown just after treatment end????

Its hard to cancel Xmas.

 DivonneS it is a very good point AH has made about flying, but the only info I can find is for flights over 4 hours.  Below that, I would just do the normal things like make sure your legs are not at 90 degrees for any length of time etc.  Check it out with your team, but I would probably go for it.  David

Hi David , on the topic of preparation for RT.  My OH has been given mini anemas to take to the hospital next week . The oncologist told him he can use it himself in the toilet  but it states on the paperwork  lie on you side . So you see his dilemma or am I just overthinking. Think the reason is we are possibly 150 mins away from the hospital.  Any tips / advice / does/donts 

thanks 

Liz & OH x

Liz, in my day we didn’t get enema’s so had to prepare totally by habit.  I got into a daily routine which involved going to the loo before leaving home, but I wasn’t 2.5 hours away from the hospital.  Maybe they can provide a room to self administer without involving the toilet floor!  David

It just seemed a bit odd when we read the instructions on the medication .the only time on any toilet floor is after overindulging with fire water and that was 50 years ago  Jeez  

thanks David have a good weekend 

Liz & OH  x

Hi Liz, my husband says he lubricated the tip of at applicator tube with some of the enema liquid and then stood and inserted himself in the way he thinks women do with a tampon:) hth