Oncologists treatment plan

Hi

i had my oncology meeting on Friday and have the exact same treatment plan as you, with the 2 lots of chemo with the radio. I am 5 weeks post op. I have my planning session for the radio next week, with treatment due to start in Feb. 

Oh that’s interesting and somewhat reassuring too. Did they give you any indication why they are doing the radiotherapy first.?

For me, there was a lymph node of note from MRI scan, which is reason for me having a PET scan pre op, which didn’t show anything up on lymph nodes but there is potential for microscopic cells. So they decided not to touch lymph nodes during op, so they can nuke them with radio post op. So targeting the pelvic area first. Was told ideally the chemoradio should start within 3 months of op date. 

I think then we are much the same. The MRI I had before the operation suggested stage 1b or 2 with no lymph node involvement at that time but the path results changed that so I assume they want to nuke the pelvic area in case there is anything there. 
I too was told they want the treatment started within 12 weeks of the surgery and they are aiming for 2-3 weeks from now.

Hi

i I had 27 sessions of radiotherapy with cistplatin on day 3 and 18. When I had my plan scan for original radiotherapy they found a suspicious lymph node so I went to 27 radiotherapy and chemo. I am now on my 2nd cycle of 4 carboplatin & paclitaxel.
Unfortunately the first round I had before Christmas I ended up in hospital due to catching para-influenza. My temperature had gone to 38.3 so I rang the hospital helpline and they rang me back 30 minutes later when the bed was ready. My magnesium levels were low and white blood cell count. Got me on intravenous antibiotics initially until they confirmed I had a viral infection and sepsis was not involved. Bloods taken regularly over 5 days and discharged after 5 days.
So far so good this time round but still on steroids until tomorrow which I feel mask symptoms after initial treatment. Hair has gone so rocking the bald/woolley hat look at the moment. 
I luckily have not had any nausea issues, sore mouth or neuropathy issues so far. Food doesn’t taste of much which is a pain but I am sure it will come back ( like the hair) once treatment is finished.) I can say for me the radiotherapy and chemo felt the easiest part of the journey ( though the travelling was a bind) but now being so close to the end of treatment it is very doable. 

Wishing you the best 

Mandy

Thanks Mandy…really useful to hear how you have been getting on with same treatment, although sorry to hear about you having para-influenza and your stay in hospital. Hope the remainder of your treatment is less eventful.  I live on my own, and aiming to drive myself to hospital for the initial 25 days of treatment, and have questions about how doable this all is when you are on your own, although with some very supportive neighbours.

I am currently staying at my friends ( we usually work from home together) and I have travelled by bus and tram (Sheffield) to appointments. And has dropped me off a couple of times and picked me up from tram to avoid walking uphill when I was tired. 

I don’t drive so can’t say how someone might feel but a fair few people who had radiotherapy when I did were driving themselves eh lives there ( at least initially) and were dealing with it ok. No t sure if anyone else has any experience to help you.

wishing you all the best