Radiotherapy Support Thread (inc. Brachytherapy)

Our gut takes quite a beating throughout the process and I was told that the RT continues to work in the body for a while after treatment finishes.  If, like me, you made changes to your diet you will find that it takes a while before you can return to your previous dietary regime (variety and quantity of food).  Take it slowly.  I did experience some urgency after meals but dealt with that by adjusting my main meal to suit my schedule for the day.  it took a while but I did get back to normal.

Maddy, I’d encourage you to go for it and book your holiday! My symptoms are improving every day and Lolabo has told me her system is back to normal (she’s a couple of weeks ahead of me). I know for some the side effects may go on longer but they also may not! And you can always pack some Buscopan in case of cramps or Imodium in case of diarrhoea. For what it’s worth, I haven’t had any diarrhoea at all so far and hopefully won’t at all.

Marmitefan59 I'm already having issues with change in bowels during chemotherapy so I know it's going to be problematic but hopefully by the time I go on holiday this would have settled  down. I know the brachytherapy will cause some disruption to me but as long as its not long lasting,  as you know when you have bowel issues you want to be at home,  there's no place like home,  last thing I want to do is be in a hotel spending my holiday in my room, on the toilet and not wanting to.leave in case get caught short.  LoL. 

Hopefully I will take on board the ideas and advice from.this group about foods to avoid etc. 

Thanks xxx

Oh yes I read about this somewhere....assuming good idea as long you are in  vicinity of one.  X 

Madesp

Hi Mad I can say my diarrhoea only lasted for a short while after my Brachytherapy (perhaps 3 weeks)

Pleased to say my bowel habits are completely back to normal now, chemo finished 8 weeks ago. I'm also back to eating wholegrains and pulses and fibre foods which I much prefer to bland white "plastic" bread

Hope you book your holiday and have a great time, I had my CT scan yesterday, results next week, then I book a much-needed holiday!

Big hugs, Barb xx

Fingers crossed for you and it's good news, then yes a well earned and much needed holiday must be had!

Barb, I'm looking to go to Sicily but we'll see.because things are up in the air I dare not book till I know everything is ok .  Oncologist said  she wants me to have a CT scan Early July then an appointment with her shortly after then  she will refer me for brachytherapy and I  think I will book when I have my brachytherapy appointments and work around those dates.

Take care xx

Apologies for long post  

I had my planning CT appointment yesterday and what a long day it was - the unit was running late so I was in the waiting room nearly an hour before I was first seen, luckily I’d brought my Kindle to keep me occupied. I had to use a microenema one hour before my appointment which I did but as I have very regular bowels there was only wind . Had to undress all except pants and put on a forward fastening gown. I still have an unhealed wound and I have been telling everyone who has called me from the oncology team that it is still healing but when I got into the CT table for my first scan ( after emptying my bladder) there was a huge discussion about wether the planning could happen because of the dressing, they called my oncologist for his view and the CNS to have a look and they both said take off the dressing so it goes ahead - dressing off scan done - redressing the wound  clothes ba+k on - not sittin the waiting room in a gown flapping open ! Second scan is with contrast so cannula inserted then off to the waiting room empty bladder again then drink a flask of water and wait 45 minutes. Back in CT room back in front opening gown, dressing off agin, ultrasound of bladder - you are too hydrated ! Bladder is too full - wound dressed again, clothes back on - empty bladder ( twice) then more water and this time a 30 minute wait so bladder isn’t too full. Back in - dressing off - gown back on and scan - this time bladder was just at the top of margin ( why didn’t they give me less water ? )  successful this time and tattooing done. Temporary dressing on wound until a nurse can be found as they don’t do dressings, cannula out - whole day 6 hrs ! Moral of the tale is - things don’t always go to plan ! 

Chrissie x

Oh Chrissie what a long day and sounds like unnecessary hassle. Poor you still healing and going through all the scans etc. On a time frame note it was exactly 3 weeks after my planning scan that my treatment started but each hospital is different and sounds like you've some healing to do yet. Hope you don't have to wait a long time to get started. Everyone will agree that the waiting is the hardest part! At my hospital we aren't required to do anemas but in some, they want you to use 1 before radiotherapy. I had to drink 2 cups of water and sit for 40 mins before each radio session, but treatment itself(if bladder is right size) is only about 10/ 15 mins so not bad. You'll probably start chemo in the same week as radio starts so itl be all go lol. I ticked off each day of treatment and it wasn't long before I could see the end in sight. So good luck and keep us posted.

Angela xx

Oh Chrissie, I really feel for you with all the waiting and pallaver and the sheer time it all took. My hospital doesn’t do enemas (as long as you’ve had a bowel movement within the last 24 hours) so I didn’t have that to contend with, but, as nice as they all were, I still felt a bit like I was a car going in for a service, and found all the comings and goings quite stressful. Very well done for getting it done. I had my planning CT a month before treatment started. My hospital’s protocol is to start radio within 12 weeks of surgery and it was just inside that. How many Linac (RT) machines does your hospital have?

I’m due to start on June 9th with Chemo first then the radio straight after - depends of course on wound which is healing well so fingers crossed I won’t be delayed. I have to ring on the Monday morning with status update on the healing - which only gives me another 12 days but as usual I’m glass half full  I thought the enema pointless as it was such a long time between using it and actually being scanned and they haven’t mentioned using them before treatment. 

Chrissie xx