Radiotherapy support

I didn't have the internal radiotherapy as had no cancer cells in cervix. Before the external radiotherapy you will have a consents appointment where the doctor will explain it all. After that it is a planning scan and for me it was around 3 weeks later I had my first appointment. 

So I didn’t have to have the small tattoos for the radiotherapy, as they are using SGRT (surface guided radiation therapy) at my hospital which uses cameras and sensors to produce maps of a patients body. Found it really interesting this week, as while they were checking/scanning pre zapping this machine goes round you, quite a distance away, mainly showing a solid green light, and then a very jagged long line with loop at one end and turn at the other, again all in green. Then I realised it was my hysterectomy scar! The loop at one end being the scar round my belly button. I now watch out for this and it gives me comfort seeing it lit up green,

These machines are also good at detecting movement, and briefly stopping which helps to limit damage to surrounding areas/organs, it seems other hospitals have been moving over to these in the last year

I didn't have the internal radiotherapy either as no cancer cells were found in my cervix. They look in detail at the post op results to work out the most effective treatment. 

You would normally expect to have a consents appointment with a consultant where they go through in detail the treatment and the potential benefits vs risks. My appointment went into detail about side effects/potential longer term effects. After that I had a planning appointment with the radiotherapist where I had a scan and the tattoos. The radiotherapy was then planned and I started around 3 weeks later. 

You have to consent to any treatment, so if brachytherapy has not been discussed then it sounds like they feel the external radiotherapy is what is needed. Some ladies have only one type, some have both types. 

I hope that you can have it done at a closer hospital. I did find the travelling tiring for mine. 

I have an appointment on Wednesday at the hospital 15 minutes from home to discuss treatment options.  I was worried about bowel accidents during travel to the regional cancer centre.  Both hospitals have good reputations for cancer treatment.  The Consultant at the regional centre thought I was looking for second opinions  but it is travel time concerns that motivated me.

Waidh, hope it goes well with minimal side effects.  Jane and Waidh,  thanks for being so helpful.

15 minutes from home sounds ideal. Good luck for Wednesday

Hi everyone, I’m due to start radiotherapy in a couple of months. Currently having chemo.

I will have chemo( cisplatin) x2  radiation x25 and 3 x brachytherapy.

I need to travel an hour and back each way for my treatments.

What side effects did you have? What did you find helped you? 

I am concerned about the effect on bowels and on sexual function. 

Nothing is TMI! Any feedback very gratefully received. 

Hi,

I had 25 sessions of external radiotherapy. I did have bowel effects that started after the first few sessions. I was prescribed 4 different medications to help and also followed a restricted diet. This was all done on advice from radiotherapists. If you do get effects- and not everyone does- then speak up straight away as I was told it is easier to get control at the first sign of an issue rather than let it continue. I found the travelling tiring and also having to go to the hospital everyday. I was away from home around 3/4 hours most times. 

The radiotherapists or your CNS should be able to give you a Macmillan can't wait toilet card and several people who I met each day were using them. 

I found during radiotherapy it was taking up a lot of the day and when I came home I was tired and did not feel like doing a lot. I was told this was normal. 

I think the best thing is to go with the flow and see how the treatment effects you. Some people are affected more than others and I was told that it was hard for them to predict this. if you do get any side effects then mention them straight away. One positive side of the treatment is that you are seeing them each day and can being things up when needed. I also had a consultant review each week. 

Jane

So as of today I’m halfway through my radiotherapy with the cisplatin on Days 1 and 22. Generally doing well, and if I hadn’t caught a cold last week, would have been pretty good this week…bowels not too bad, but I do have a side effect of aching in both hips and this going down to both of my lower legs. Makes me a little uncomfortable at night, and told to take paracetamol around the clock. Been told to think of it as bruising.

Glad it is going ok generally. I also had the aching in my hips and legs. Partly I think the chemo and partly the radiotherapy. I think also lying still on the plinth and trying to keep completely still did not help. Bruising feeling is a good way to describe it. 

Well done for getting half way- on the home straight now