Starting radiotherapy soon

Hi Lambourne

Welcome to the Womb group. I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of endometrial cancer in May and also the unrelated breast cancer. I hope that you have recovered well from your surgery.

I also had 5 weeks of radiotherapy back in 2022. It is hard when you have 25 sessions ahead of you but I did find that after the first couple I did get into a bit of a routine and it went quicker than I thought. My radiotherapists were really supportive and that helped. 

I did find it tiring but part of that was the travelling to and from the hospital each day. I did have some tummy issues but was given medication that helped. I found I needed to watch what I ate and for me it was limiting fibre, limiting fruit and veg and dairy. I ate things like white toast, rice, crumpets- blander foods suited me more. 

There is an opportunity to talk to the radiotherapists at each appointment if you are having any side effects and I also had a weekly review. 

This link takes you to the radiotherapy thread on here.

(3) Radiotherapy support - Macmillan Online Community

I hope your treatment goes well and if you want to ask about anything please do so.

Jane

Hi

I did some research and took Jarrows bowel support l.plantarum 299v. I got it from there. I do think this helped and I still take it every other day. My treatment was 4 months ago. Bowel habits have changed but so far very manageable.

Hi Lambourne, I had a hysterectomy and 25 x radio (and 2 x brachy) in 2022. Have you had your mini planning CT yet? How far will you have to travel for your treatment? I live 45-60 mins drive away from my hospital (Southampton) and I also usually have a poo in the morning, so I had asked my oncologist well in advance that, if possible, please could I have afternoon appointments to give me time. My hospital don’t request mini enemas to be done routinely, only if needed, and I preferred things to happen naturally. She noted the appointment preference for me and said it may not always be possible but that she’d try for me. And that did in fact happen all through. Most of my appointments were between 2 and 5.

I started following the recommended pelvic radiotherapy eating plan 2-3 days before treatment started. I also chose to start a fairly low fibre diet which they usually recommend for if you start to have bowel side effects - but I decided to start it early as I do occasionally have IBS and wanted to give myself the best chance. I made sure and kept well hydrated, especially in the morning on the way to treatment. When I arrived for my treatment and checked in. I’d then have to wait till they told me to drink a measured amount of water. I found the hospital machine water was too cold, so I took a plastic cup home, and took the required amount in with me from home each day instead. Home water was much nicer to me.

First couple of sessions I changed into the hospital gown provided but I then noticed some people going in in their own clothes, so I checked with a radiologist and from then on I went in in t shirt and trackies or harem trousers and removed them in the treatment room.

Having radiotherapy uses up energy, so I was advised to bring a snack with me for straight afterwards. For me that was usually a banana and a packet of Quavers or Skips to replace some energy. We need calories to help our bodies make new cells. So I also had a small meal when I got home, plus a treat like ice cream or chocolate. 

For what it’s worth, I had no side effects at all till half way through week 4 and even then it was just slight bloating and slight urgency. I drove myself to and from each appointment. Feel free to ask any questions whatsoever! 

Thank you that’s really helpful.  I’ll be getting hospital transport due to other issues.  I’m just at my planning appointment now so I’ll check about diet.

This is the patient information leaflet I was given https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-website-2019/Patientinformation/Cancercare/Preparation-for-radiotherapy-treatment-to-the-female-pelvis-2093-PIL.pdf

Especially as you’re having hospital transport, I’d advise taking a book or your tablet with you so that you have something to do while you’re waiting. As there is often a fair bit of waiting anyway - plus you may have a wait afterwards for your transport home. 

Thank you, had my planning meeting today so know a bit more about how it works.