Treatment Plan

Hi that’s what we thought but it said lie on your side . Time will tell on Friday.  Have a lovely weekend . 
we are sitting planning a few days away after next week . 
Liz & OH x

Hi Johnam,

I was given a supply of  mini 5ml Micralax enemas to use before each session plus a few spare as I was advised to start using them 3 days beforehand (which gave me chance to practice as well as be aware how they affected me) with a break each weekend. 

Due to the distance I had to travel to the hospital I always self administered them at the hospital in one of the toilet cubicles.  Then it was a case of sitting back in the waiting area for 15 minutes to give them a chance to work before heading back to the toilet again to fully empty. 

To be honest, I never gave it a thought to have a read of the leaflet to see how to use them so just stooped whilst bending before inserting (sounds odd but worked for me).  The tip of the enema tube can be a bit sharp so a little spot of vaseline can help.  Your comment has caused me to read the leaflet (as I still have a few left), & whilst it does say to lie down on your side with knees drawn up to the stomach it does say if you prefer you can sit on the toilet.

I'm not medically trained, but think that the instruction to lie on the side is mainly because the enema is often given to bedridden patients to treat constipation so they wouldn't be able to use it any other way. 

It's odd, but after using them a couple of times it became part of the routine, & I'm glad to say I didn't have any issues.

Best Wishes

Brian

Hi Brian , many thanks for your instructions . He’s to use then at the hospital as we have too far to travel . Any other tips would be appreciated.  He’s not looking forward to the full bladder bit as he has regular visits to the toilet . But as I said this is the longest and after that it should be a lot shorter times . 

regards

Liz & OH. X

Hello Liz & OH (johnam) 

I only live a mile from the hospital so it was self administered at home in the bathroom, bending over (if that's not too much information - I have had a vision just typing this!! ) I than did the business and wandered off for my appointment.

I was one of the "Lucky ones" as The Christie at Oldham work on empty bladder, empty bowels so when your name was called it was "do you need to have another wee".

Our hospital liked an empty bladder as they could "see more of the prostate" as the bladder was relaxed - the full bladder is to "lift" the bladder away from the prostate so my team told me - I asked why we were different!!

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you Brian . Enjoy your Sunday in warmer climates 

Liz & OH xx

Thx 

I am bit confused re diet.

I have my first session on the 21st Nov but no-one has mentioned what to eat or not (except alcohol is a no-no).

I have created my own list but frankly in researching this topic on internet I am best confining my intake to water (joke)

So any advice welcome as my dear wife is trying to set up a repeatable weekly menu & is struggling a bit.

Any good meals suggestions welcome. ( I don't like spinach !)

Hi I’ve also been reading up as my OH starts next Friday with the planning 

For prostate cancer patients, we recommend avoiding foods that cause gas since this might affect preparation for treatment. Foods that cause gas include asparagus, beans, beer, broccoli, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, eggs, fish, milk, mushrooms, nuts, peppers and spicy foods.

hope this helps 

Liz & OH xx

Sorry Brian . A quick question . How long does the planning CT take ? 

Hi....  I am a bit confused as everywhere I read eggs (cooked through),fish and nuts are said to be ok. I must be missing something!

Hi !

I think the food is the less tricky part as long as you eat normally healthy, a well balanced diet. when having radiation you should really be eating food with a rather good intake of fiber. I added something we here in Scandinavia call Vi-siblin. In my case I eat a whole lot of fibre so I only used a portition a day. Fibre helps the coloms / gut because they will be affected by radiation

Drinks are both tricky and not. Water is main winner of course and drinking much to pee is good during radiation. Carborated drinks is not a winner and coffee is not a winner either but it’s not bad to drink sparkling water or for that matter coffee because it want effect the radiation treatment. But carbohydrate can add to bloating and coffee can add having many more periods at the toilette

Best wishes - Ulf