Update and knowing what to expect

Good morning Clare and Happy Easter to you.

My husband has had 3 lots of radiotherapy so far to different parts of the body so is now greeted like a long lost friend in the radiotherapy unit and that sums up his experience. The radiographers are brilliant at putting him and me at ease and are there to answer any questions. At the preplanning stage he is positioned on the machine and in his case was given tiny tattoos to aid with positioning for the actual treatment sessions. Bryan will be told whether he has to have a full or empty bladder and bowel as this can vary with different hospitals and machines but it is easier to get into a routine if he can have his 'sunbed' treatment at the same time of day. All Bryan has to do is lie still for a few minutes and let the machine do its work at killing the cancer - and no my husband didn't feel anything. The radiographers can help with any side effects but in my husband's case they were minimal with the pelvic radiotherapy - here is a link which might help.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/types-of-treatment/radiotherapy/pelvic-radiotherapy

Some hospitals offer parking passes as you will be going for regular treatment so see what your health authority offers.

Have a lovely holiday and come back fighting fit. By the way it is warming up nicely in our part of the Mediterranean.

Judging by what I’ve read, it looks like Bryan will be on a curative pathway.  Clatterbridge is a centre of excellence. You’re in good hands. Given the high PSA, radiotherapy was definitely the way ahead.  AW

Hi Clarebryan62 ,

Alwayshope  has given you the definitive response.

The only thing I can add is personal experience.

As I have continued the hormone therapy, I have adapted, and don't notice it much of the time. For other reasons, I don't care about the loss of libido, and the fatigue is either controlled by exercise or by a quick nap.

I have now finished the radiotherapy and I can tell you it is not a problem for most men. If I hadn't hurt my back about 2 weeks in, I would barely have noticed it.

The planning scan is a bit more fuss, but only because you are still working out what is happening. I would say that your husband should ask lots of questions about anything that makes him curious. Then he will truly know what is happening, and I am pretty sure that the staff helping like to explain.

Don't forget that what is important to you is just another day for the people attending. 

I had my radiotherapy at a regional centre - 3 machines constantly at work, about 130 people a day being treated. Between one-third and one-half men with prostate cancer. What is a big deal to you and I is just Tuesday to the radiographers.

I was surprised, given the numbers, at how caring they all were.

In my case, I got the reputation of nearly always being the right kind of full in bladder terms, so when someone else had failed that particular test I got bumped up the queue. On one occasion, I didn't even get as far as reception before I was hijacked by one of the radiographers. I had to go back to reception to book in after I had my treatment.

Unless your other half is one of the unlucky men whose body is determined to collect ALL the side effects, you will be good.

Hi Clarebryan62 , good to hear that RT is starting soon and that you have a holiday beforehand.  The RT is absolutely nothing to worry about.  Surprisingly you are not aware when you are being zapped, as you can’t feel anything.  You only know something is happening by the different noise from the scanner and beam.  Does your OH have a particular concern or is it just ‘the unknown’ worrying him?  Yes, there are after effects but no point in worrying as you don’t know what (if any) he might get.
I hope you have a fantastic time away and start planning for your next trip once this is all behind you both.  David

Tell Bryan not to get anxious about his radiotherapy, The treatment is completely painless and usually takes less than 15 minutes per session. The only thing he will need to get to grips with is getting his bladder and bowel in the right state before each treatment. However, most people get settled into a routine after a few days and after that everything works like clockwork.

He may get some side effects during the treatment but the radiotherapy team are always there to support you which I found very reassuring.

He will meet the same cohort of patients, every day during treatment, and its great to meet some fellow patients and swap stories and make some new friends.

I actually missed the radiotherapy sessions after I completed my treatment ! It was very reassuring to always have the radiotherapy team available to help and the social side with other patients was very therapeutic.

Overall I found it a very positive experience. The daily interaction with the radiotherapy team and other patients was always very reassuring. 

Hope all goes well for Bryan.

Rob

Hi Alwayshope thank you for all ur info we will take that in mind cheers as regards to park clatterbridge hospital is free but he spaces get taken quickly x

 Hi Alpine Wanderer yes so far clatterbridge have been very good with us for the two times we’ve been we were impressed, yeh high psa was a big clue at the time he was more likely to have cancer than not but yes on the curative pathway surgery wasn’t on the cards as the little bugger tried to escape and also it’s what Bryan wanted so that’s what we’ve stuck with lol  x