Update and knowing what to expect

Hi Clare,

I'm guessing here but they might just mean they will mark him up with the tattoo dots based on the position of his prostate on the scan. The scan isn't used for anything other than locating and marking the prostate to make the radiotherapy accurate . Also, they might not have wanted to mention the enemas until you get there. 

Good luck . Keep in touch 

Cathy 

Hi Clare & Cathy,

it is difficult to tell people what to expect at the planning appointment. It all depends on the Radio Therapy equipment that the particular hospital has. I read all the things on this (and other) websites - the tattoos didn't worry me, but the daily enemas didn't appeal to me in the slightest, especially as I was going to make fairly lengthy journeys to/from the hospital by train/bus.

As it turned out, it was no problem whatsoever - no tattoos, and even better, enemas were never mentioned at the planning or treatment sessions. On the treatment days - it was drink 500 ml of water and that was it.

The hospital I went to for my RT had SGRT on all 6 of its LINACS. That certainly did away with the need for the tattoos; not sure about the lack of enemas............they didn't mention them, so I didn't remind them !!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-68688198

Whether it was the type of treatment I had or not, but I had no side effects that I could definitely attribute to the RT...............it was probably just the curry from the night before !!

Don't forget - a lot of the posts you read on here are from people who do strike problems with their treatment..............there are many who don't have problems and therefore don't post their stories here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-guided_radiation_therapy

PS: The date of the BBC link above is just unfortunate !!

John