Radiotherapy support

I know the feeling, my last session was particularly nervewracking as on the first  attempt I was told my bowel was too full. This was already an extra session at the end due to a previous session being aborted due to two failed attempts (they can only give you two CT scans in a day, apparently) and if this one had failed it would have meant my brachytherapy having to be rearranged. I was so pleased when I heard the machine starting up on the second go !

I’d had several occasions where my bladder wasn’t full enough (apparently I’m a “slow filler” - who knew?!) and several when they couldn’t get me into the right position (ie same as was registered with the machine system from the planning CT) and had to repeat the mini CT. Though that only happened when it wasn’t my “usual” team so I did wonder if it was an experience issue. I found out afterwards that I have spinal stenosis and that there’s movement in my lumbar spine where the discs are degenerated, so that’s what could be tricky. I’d had one in my final week where they said afterwards that they were glad it worked that time as otherwise it would have been aborted (like you said) and after that I did have a fair bit of anxiety each time that the same might happen, especially on the very last session. But it was fine! 

Ah, I had fun and games at my last session, bladder not full enough for first attempt, and then machine throwing a wobbly at second attempt when bladder really full. It was a case of could they get the machine to work before I needed to rush to loo. The discharge was very speedy!

Great news

H

Hi I had complete hysterectomy in Feb 25 x

3 rounds of internal radiotherapy which finished 2 weeks ago

im so shocked how tired & poorly I feel plus so sore in the area which was treated 

really didn’t expect such harsh side effects 

has anyone else felt the same

Hi Dandy

Am sorry that you have had these side effects. Its early days since your treatment and hopefully things will start to settle. Have you mentioned how you are feeling to your CNS/radiotherapists? Might be an idea- even just for some reassurance. 

Fatigue after a cancer diagnosis and then surgery and radiotherapy is to be expected but as you are feeling poorly they may be able to check your bloods etc. I know during my treatment I had low levels of haemoglobin and that made me tired and unwell. A transfusion worked well. 

I remember my radiotherapists saying to contact them at any point- even after treatment- if I needed support. 

Jane

Hi Dandy, I had total hysterectomy in January and 4 brachy in March. For me the soreness started after the 2nd round and by the 4th one was very sore but settled over the next month.

I still have extreme tiredness but its difficult to say if this is down to brachy or other conditions I have but it is improving. (I also have an autoimmune clotting issue and had a pulmonary embolism last month which has complicated things a bit)

I still have urgency for the loo but that is also improving in that it is no longer painful. Bowel urgency is still a problem but I had this prior to treatment so again difficult to say if this is a result of brachy?

Its early days at the minute and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Thank you for kindly replying .

its a long scarey journey we are on 

Hi Dandy 

Sorry you feel bad. My skin burnt when I had radiotherapy and I used MooGoo moisturiser which helped a lot. Luckily I didn't feel too tired or poorly. 

I hope you feel better soon.

H 

Thankyou