Concurrent Cisplatin with External Beam Radiation

Hi   Thanks MarmiteFan59 for tagging me in, I too had the chemoradiation regime but for me it was the plan from the outset so didn’t have any other chemo. It was an intense regime but very doable, the days that were both Chemo and Radio were very long but I got into a good routine and the staff were amazing, I didn’t lose any hair although it did thin a bit no one but my hairdresser noticed and I had no real side effects, just tiredness and diarrhoea which got more frequent towards the end of the treatment and continued for a couple of weeks after but the hospital gave me Loperamide which controlled it. The brachytherapy was a doddle really, bit undignified but the actual treatment is so quick it’s over in minutes. It’s 2 years this week since all my treatment ended and I’m very well - had my checkup last week and am now on 6monthly checks! This year I turned 70 and am loving life. Good luck with your treatment if you need anything more don’t hesitate to ask, I don’t come on the site very much now but always there if needed x

Chrissie

HI

I had chemoradiation - this was 3 weekly cisplatin.

The main side effects from the chemo part were tiredness and nausea-  both were bearable but it is hard when having a rough day to go to hospital and have your radio. 

It does pass quickly and I hope your does too, 

Personally I couldn't have worked while having it - I was too tired but perhaps different if you can work from home doing clerical work, 

Good luck with the treatment, 

Could I ask if you had an epidural and a general anaesthetic for your robotic hysterectomy or just GA. It came up at my pre op. I realise everyone/everywhere is different. Also we're you able to easily fasten shoes post op? I'm not able to do slip ons - as a result of slip overs! Thank you for offering to help us with our pre op questions! Wishing you the best on your treatment journey. 

Hi I had both epidural and GA- mine was abdominal. I found that I recovered from the anaesthetic extremely quickly - only in recovery for about 40 minutes and didn’t feel groggy at all. Assume it’s a lighter anaesthetic as no chance of feeling pain.

I had GA- fabulous don't remember a thing til I arrived on ward.  I was a very nervous patient - tell the anaesthetist and they can give you stuff to help. 

Thank you for that. I hadn't heard about epidural add on till my pre op. I'll have whatever aids op recovery. 

Thank you. Had to do some serious hand holding with the nurse last time I had GA!

Wow, thats sounds scary and 32 sessions is a lot. Im surprised at the amount of Adjuvent therapy they have prescribed for me after my hysterectomy but they are the experts. We just have to take  their advice and crack on I suppose. Its good to have everyone's contribution of their experience and as we know, every one's is different. Some of the things I've expected havn't happened and some I didnt expect have but its good to share then at least we all have an idea of what some of the things are we will be experiencing.  x

I wish my oncologist would have said how many sessions of Cisplatin I would be having, it would have helped me a plan a little. I have an appointment with him on 2nd August so Im sure he will explain what's happening, its just the waiting as you all know. I have just retired, I am 66 next week and I wont need to go into work so I am lucky there and I feel sorry for anyone that is having to, it must be very hard.  Thanks for sharing your experience, every little helps. xx

I had a planned GA with a provision that I may have an epidural as well because of old scar tissue from 3 C Sections. It wasn't until I got to the GA room that they said I would need an epidural though. TBH I was a bit scared but honestly it didnt hurt at all. They were so professional after the epidural they administered the GA but I didnt realise they had as the next thing I knew, I was in recovery.  I had the op on the Friday and came home on Saturday afternoon. I just wore a pair of flip flops to come home in and I walked from the ward to the car which was parked nearby. Maybe you would be able to go down to your car in a wheel chair (just a thought). I was tired on the Sunday but on the Monday, I got up and went out for a walk, about 4,000 steps and it was the best thing I did. I did this daily and it really helped with my recovery. I felt great and 3 weeks after the Op my consultant called me to say although she had removed all the cancer and the 13 lymph nodes she had also removed came back clear, I would still need the 'Mop Up' treatment, this being the Adjuvent therapy. I didnt realise this would be necessary and would honestly say that the Robotic Hysterectomy, GA & Epidural were the easiest part.  I hope your op goes ok, the best advice I would give is to move around as soon as you can, dont over do it and eat healthily. Good luck with your op and always here if you have any further questions on  my experience. xx