Salvage radiotherapy

Hi, I’m Tony one of the Community Champions, welcome to the chat forum, unfortunately your not saying what cancer you are beating so for finer help with possible after effects depends sometimes what part of the body the RT is being aimed at, but your profile says you have suffered prostate cancer so possibly its for something following that treatment, anyway I’ve had 7 rounds of Chemo and 35 sessions of RT for Oesophagus Cancer.

The RT I found Okay as the ongoing treatment and I did work through the whole treatment cycle however it was the last 3 cycles when everything hit me and I just flaked onto the couch for 2 weeks downstairs luckily our bathroom is downstairs and I didn’t venture up the stairs.

The effects stay for a long time as the treatment is still happening after the actual process has finished, as for a pint well that’s your decision as you are best keep well hydrated as it takes it out of you but to be honest I chucked the odd can down to help cope !!

This booklet may help explain the process etc, I wish you every luck in the treatment and take care of yourself, I'm now 5 years clear of my first cancer and 4 years clear of my second so just have confidence that it works 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/stories-and-media/booklets/understanding-radiotherapy

I finished radiotherapy just over 6 months ago.

I was a good boy and did exactly as I was instructed. This was probably a good thing as I am no stranger to flatulence and gas in the bowel is the enemy of this treatment.

However, one Monday I was chatting to this guy I had become friends with and he said, out of nowhere, that he had 11 pints, with whisky chasers, the previous night. The he went off and had his treatment with no difficulty at all.

So, there are people who go outside "the rules" and are not affected in any way. I suspect that they are few.

If your treatment follows the pattern - 5 days on and 2 off - that is the usual, it may be that a little something on a Friday evening may be possible.

For me, sticking to the diet was the right thing, and even then I didn't entirely get away with it. I had to wait a couple of times to see if the gas dispersed (it did). I was told to drink peppermint tea. I did. About 4 weeks of constant drinking the stuff.

It worked, but now I bl**dy hate peppermint tea.

Thanks Steve, abstention for me I think

Hello Sight for sore eyes 

My RT was January 2023 (with a bit of February 2023 too). I was a good boy - I avoided alcohol, coffee, and anything that could give me wind - beans, pulses fizzy drinks and things like sprouts etc. 

Whilst you are lying on that sunbed you don't want to suddenly move and have something else "zapped" especially as there are plenty of important bits around your prostate.

My team said it was fine to have a drink at weekend - but not too much so I did dry January and some of February.

As an aside after my last fraction which was at 6.30pm on a weekday - I rang the bell and was a crying wreck in reception. My "local" was half way between the hospital and home so I walked in an one of my mates bought me a pint. I looked at it for about quarter of an hour - proper real ale - clear as anything - and then drank the pint in one go - boy was it good!! and ordered another one. (not Macmillan Advice) but you know I felt really good.

Honest advice - check the parking at the hospital - plan your journey and as the fractions roll on - for the return journey be aware of toilets - Macdonald's - Costa Coffee etc. If it's a longer journey - a lay by with a big tree and a carry an empty fabric conditioner bottle!

It's easy - just time consuming.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Sight for sore eyes 

Some advice based on my experience:

1.  Make sure your Bladder is absolutely full

2.  Make sure your bowels are empty 

If your appointment is very early you may struggle to achieve this. Try and have your appointments at the same time, it make 1 & 2 above a lot easier.

All of the best.

Munster