Radiotherapy for a thigh sarcoma

Hi Taz

Just noticed your post hope I can pass on my experience after going through the same. I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy before an operation on my thigh. Try and stay positive the radiotherapy is quite intense so you will feel lethargic so having a sleep is perfectly normal. 

If you can stay active too this will help, it's a slow process but you will be absolutely fine. 

Cheers Karl 

Hi Taz, I finished 30 sessions (fractions) of radiotherapy in January. Like you, my sarcoma is in my thigh. I’m told everyone reacts differently to the treatment but, like you, I started feeling tired after a couple of weeks and was absolutely exhausted by the end of it. Only now, some eight weeks after finishing the course, am I finally getting back to normal. Feeling fatigued and exhausted all the time was unpleasant but I recognised that I had to go through the process, and that made it easier to deal with. It was hard going towards the end but if you can just keep that final goal of finishing the course at the forefront of your mind you will be fine. Never lose sight of it. It can get very scary during treatment but the good news is that there is a well organised system to help you through the rough patches. 
I’m afraid that no parts of the sarcoma journey are much fun but they will all be conquered if you have the right support. This can take many forms including the various support groups and phone lines that are available via MacMillan and Sarcoma UK, which are absolutely fantastic, but I found the the greatest help I have had is from my family and a few close friends. Each to his own I guess, but some sort of support is essential and you should start looking into this if you haven’t already done so. 
Good luck on your journey and there are always people here who have been through the same thing if you ever have questions or worries. Keep us in touch,

Evening Shackleton,

Just read your Sarcoma journey brilliant that you are are getting back to normality. You are correct it's a long at times stressful process but from my own experience from start to finish the support I had was unbelievable from the radiotherapy staff the Macmillan nurses and all the consultants they really do look after you.

Karl.

Thanks Karl and likewise I’m delighted you’re on the mend. You’re absolutely right and the support I’ve received, and continue to receive, has been phenomenal, very humbling. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, as my CNS told me in the early days and she was spot on. Finding the right type(s) of support to go the distance is so important and ultimately plays a huge part in how we come out the other side of this. Keep fighting the good fight and stay in touch. 
All the very best,

Hi Karl, 

Thanks for your reply. Hope you are doing well. It’s really difficult as I am travelling into London and back on the tube every day so it literally takes 3-4 hours out of my day every day. I know I am getting the best treatment and so grateful for the care I am receiving but so hard especially as I have just got divorced and now a single mum to a 3 year old and almost 9 year old. I am lucky I have help from my parents but they are both almost 70 years old so get tired quite easily and obviously very worried about corona virus also. 
I was absolutely shattered today when I got back from hospital and this heaviness in my legs is really debilitating and I’m so worried about it getting worse. I also suffer with depression and anxIrtysh so all a bit overwhelming to be honest. Just can’t wait for it to all be over

Hello Shackleton 

Thank you so much for your message. You really give me hope and reassurance. Its great to be able to talk to people who have been through the same thing. How are you now? Are you having surgery? Today came as a hit of a shock to be honest because I completely crashed out this afternoon and slept 3 hours straight. The heaviness and tingling in both my legs was really unpleasant but all part of the journey to recovery I guess. 
Please keep in touch also

Taz x 

Hiya,

It's understandable with what your going through to suffer anxiety and depression, bringing up children is hard enough on your own let alone going through this ordeal at the same time. I went through something very similar.

My advice is and I know how hard it is to try and keep busy the kids will take care of that for you anyway.

The treatment will be effective try and to stay patient you will come through this stronger than ever

Karl.

Hi Taz

You've found the right group of people and please don’t hesitate to reach out if things get a bit rough. Yes, thank you, I’m very much on the mend and hopefully the radiotherapy has nailed any remaining clandestine, guerilla cells that have survived the surgeries over the past couple of years! 
If your physical symptoms cause you concern you need to talk to your radio team, they are best placed to help but feeling exhausted during the treatment became “normal” for me. I’m sure it will pass for you and, as you say, it is part of the journey to recovery. Not a lot of fun, I’m afraid but you have to trust your MDT.

Hang in there and good luck!

Thanks Karl
Yes it’s been a tough year and now this on top of getting divorced is really testing me but you’re right I will come out stronger than ever and I know it’s all part of my story. 
Going to start to try to focus on my needs throughout the treatment a bit more and just listen to my body and rest when I need to and luckily I have some wonderful friends and work colleagues also who have been very supportive. 
Take Care Taz x 

Thanks Shackleton 

Glad to hear you are doing well and on the mend. 

I think I just didn’t expect to feel this way all of a sudden as I’ve been ok so far. I’ve literally gone from feeling completely normal to totally bed ridden which is a huge challenge and presents difficulties especially when looking after two children aged 3 and 8 but thankfully I have help from my parents so am very lucky. 

Thanks Taz x