Radiotherapy

Hi Rahman,

Im really sorry that you have had this diagnosis, I've not experienced radiotherapy but I'm sure the others who have had that treatment will be along soon with advice. I think one of the tips is usually to drink plenty of water to help flush out your system. 

All the best for your treatment, when does it start?

lots of love

xxx

Thank you Arla

may be end of this week . I am seeing the team tomorrow for convent form. 

Hope to know more tomorrow 

xx

Rahman x

That's good that you will hopefully get all of your information tomorrow, they will keep you right. From what I've read the first planning scan usually takes the most time then the treatment ones aren't as long, as they have their set up ready. I hope you have some company for tomorrow.

xxx

Hello   I am so very sorry to hear this news of your diagnosis and also sad to learn you are struggling with the pain. It’s a nasty blow for you. It sounds like your children are being a good support to you at what is a very hard time for you all. 

You mentioned in a previous posts that you thought the cancer might returned in the bone. Is that what they’ve found? With regard to radiotherapy I have heard that it can be effective in helping to control the pain in such situations. . I can only speak about  my experience of external pelvic radiotherapy. The planning scan took a while and helped the radiotherapists to work out exactly how I needed to lay on the treatment bed and how much water I needed to drink at each visit to help keep as much of the bladder and bowel out of the line of the beam as possible. I also had to have 3 small dots tattood onto me to help them accurately line up the beam each day., Treatment itself was painless and took about 10 minutes each day- it took longer to get dressed and undressed! Side effects were some bowel issues (well controlled with Imodium) and tiredness. Some ladies get bladder issues. For most ladies these are temporary and resolve themselves within a few weeks of treatment ending. Some of us (me included) have effects which last longer - mine are a sensitivity to garlic and rich/fatty foods and the occasional urge to dash to the toilet. Arla is right to say drink lots of water to keep hydrated throughout treatment. 

If your radiotherapy is to a different area of your body then there may be different side effects including skin issues, which are treatable with special creams. 

Use today’s  appointment with your team to ask lots of questions about the pros and cons of treatment for you, about possible side effects and how they help to combat them. Also ask how they monitor you - I was very well looked after by the radiotherapists who asked each day how I felt, if I needed anything to help with side effects etc and who just generally chatted and supported me, I also saw the radio oncologist or her registrar at the start of each week so I had lots of support. If you get the chance to look round the treatment areas do take it, it’s fascinating and helps you to cope with some of the fears. 

i hope everything goes well for you with this treatment. Thinking of you and remembering you in my prayers x

Rahman, I'm so sorry to hear that the cancer has returned and you have to undergo radiotherapy. It sounds like you are being well looked after by your children but I'm sorry you are experiencing so ch pain..You don't deserve this after all you have already been through. You and your family, especially your husband, are in my thoughts and prayers because I know you were the main carer and can'to this at the moment. I hope your appointment goes well and you get more information about your treatment. Take care and stay strong. God bless you. Love little lamb.xxx

Hi Rahman,

I am sorry you have to deal with a recurrence . 

The radiotherapy is painless , and these days very targeted so avoids lots of the side effects people used to get. They are good at giving you meds to deal with any side effects you do get.

The first planning session enables them to scan to plan where to direct the radiotherapy beams.

After that the sessions themselves only take a few minutes. I'd get there early if you need a full bladder, in case you need to drink more. You will probably need to make sure you have emptied your bowels too. It's all to keep the bladder and bowel out of the way, if yours is directed in such a way that they are near the target zone.

The most effect I had was the tiredness. Not so much to start with , but it built up after the first 2 weeks. So try to arrange to be able to have lots of rest. You do need to make sure you drink lots too.

I was given a big pot of E45 cream, and used it to moisturise the  irradiated skin area twice a day as they directed. Also use Simple soap so as not to irritate your skin.I have had no adverse skin reaction at all thus far, and my radiotherapy finished on 12th July. The effects carry on for a few weeks after. I had a bit of digestive  system soreness too, but I found the after effects went after about 4 weeks.

Sending hugs x

Oh Rahman I’m so sorry to read your posts, you can do this hun, stay strong, thinking of you xx

I hope all goes well for you Rahman.  Best wishes.

Will be thinking of you Rahman.  Stay strong and positive.

Thinking of you today and praying. God bless. Love lamb.xx