Radiotherapy

Hi Tyer

Maybe that's why I had to drink 600mls - drank too much on my planning scan. 

Regards

Stuart

Mike D,

As everyone says, most time is spent getting you into position, a push here, a prod there, all to ensure you get the optimum effect from the Radiation.

How far do you live from the Hospital?

I was only 15 minutes away so they let me take my Enema at the Hospital (45 minutes before the appointment).  They are nothing to worry about (god knows I did, after the first one, no problems).

All of my 20 fractions were around 3pm, so I stayed in work until 1pm every day.  The fatigue really wore me down, but I was adamant that I was going to keep working.  I managed it.  Work were good about it.

Have you talked it over at work?

Better go, work is calling.

Hi Mike,

Had 10 sessions not so long ago. Agree what others say regards timing of it all. The session itself lasts about 5 minutes but the waiting around can add time to your session. I also had to drink water and more often than not I didnt have enough. One morning I was there for 3 hours, the quickest I had was 45 mins. If you don't have to get your bladder to the right level then it's in and out, I had radiotherapy previously without the need for water and it was quick, but again if its busy then expect a bit of a wait. 

I would ask your work to be flexible if you are going in because I don't think you can provide actual timings due to the potential waiting times but to expect you in before lunchtime. Hope this helps.

That is a great piece of advice, thanks. 

Thank You, my work is being brilliant about everything.  I think it's just me that wants to keep busy for as long as I can otherwise, I start to think too much.

Hi Steve,

I work for a local council and, I have to say, they've been very supportive.  It's me that is insisting that I keep going  to work, I think it's going to be important for me to stay occupied. They've agreed to a suck it and see approach.

Hope you are keeping well and thank you for replying.

Mike

Mike,

I was the same as you.  In the end, working was like therapy for me.

On my bad days I tried not to speak to anyone ( I work admin in an Abattoir, mostly Cows to speak to anyway).

Into the 3rd week of Radiation it was taking me over 30 minutes to walk the 7 minute walk to work.

Never gave up though.

I don't regret the Radiation treatment for a minute.

I think the later in the day the more likely you are to be delayed. A machine breakdown can lead to a delay as the patients have to be shared between the other machines. At the hospital i attended they had 4 machines and in the waiting area a large board that displayed if the machine assigned to you was on time or running late and if late by how long so you would know when to start drinking your water. So it's quite difficult to put a time on it on a good day in and out in little over an hour  but I also occasionally spent two hours or a little more over there. 

Good luck with Your treatment hope it all goes well for you. Kind regards Reg

Thanks for replying Reg.

My appointments are all first thing in the morning so, hopefully there won't be too many delays. 

I hope you are keeping well.

Mike

Mike, are they still wanting you to take an Enema 45 minutes before your appointment?

I thought that would be tricky.  The first one was a dud, then got into the swing of things.

A good piece of advice I had last year was "they're like a stick of Dynamite, one bang and it's over".

How true that was.  5 to 10 minutes and "Bang".  Didn't need to go again.