Cheshire Chris's Treatment Thread

Thanks (and others, too) for the supportive words.

My understanding of the RT machines at Clatterbridge is that they have a built-in CT scanner to properly align the patient with the scanner and to check for the proper state of the bowel and bladder. I'm told that they are the very latest technology, so I think that there should be as little collateral damage as is feasible.

I was surprised, when I went for my planning session, to be told that, because I'm a private patient (funded by work medical insurance) I'll be having my RT in a private RT suite that's completely separate from the main hospital's facilities. Shouldn't make any difference at all to the treatment, but at least it means that there shouldn't be any delays, and it's all a lot more comfortable. The "five star" version of RT!

Chris

The treatment itself was no big deal, but a few hours after getting home I started feeling extremely nauseous, which has persisted. I don't know if it's a real result of the radiotherapy or purely psychosomatic (not that it changes anything either way). I'll ask the nurses about it tomorrow.

Chris

Sorry to read about your nausea Chris. 

I didnt find nausea to be a probkem with RT. Tiredness and bowel issues yes.

My advice is to make sure you get plenty of rest and develop a routine. Find things to occupy you and keep your mind off the treatment. I found putting time into more inventive ways to eat a low residue diet distracting and help me avoid eating wallpaper paste all the time 😂

When my time came, I went into a changing room and was asked to remove just my shoes and trousers. From there, a door at the other end of the changing room led into the treatment area. I lay down on the bed and was then asked to pull down my underpants. About 10m of adjustments and calling out numbers, and then the actual treatment which took about 5m I'd guess, so probably around 20m from going into the changing room to getting dressed again. No hospital gowns!

Chris

Chris

Sounds just like my routine. If you take enemas watch out for ragged arse over time. You may need to give them a break for a few days if the burn gets too much. Also if you start feeling angry and your skin starts changing colour, please notify your Radiotherapy nurse.

Itis great to be able to get advice on here about personal issues with no stigma👍

I kept myself well  hydrated during my RT but course this depends how well you personally cope with urine retention.

I used Dove shower gel  during my treatment and I liked it so much I have continued using it today.  I also purchased a tub of 99% aloe vera gel which I applied all over the treatment area once I got home and had had a shower I had no skin issues at all which I put down to this routine.

 I also used a moist impregnated toilet tissue to avoid “stinging ring” issues. This worked for me.

 As it seems prudent to add these days, the comments above worked for me, but may not work for you, so take advice from a professional at your treatment centre 

Ref Sore anus from RT or enema etc -

I cant offer advice on RT specifically as I am lucky enough to be reccurrence free since RARP.

However I have sufferred with IBS, Hemorrhoids and Fissures for many years. As my TRUS biopsy was approaching I had an anul fissure, so was desperate to get it sorted before hand. Any one who has had an anul fissure will understand the terror I was feeling. I got the usual cream from my Dr and a referral to a Colo rectal consultant. The consultant booked me in for a colonoscopy after the biopsy, but he also recommended using Bepanthen nappy rash cream, stating that its ok for a babies bum so its ok for you and you cant use to much. I have used it every day since, so over two years and have not had an occurrence of either since. Thats the longest pain free period for about thirty years.

Maybe worth a try if you need it.

Cheers

Bill

Edited by member 12 Feb 2019 at 14:16  | Reason: Hit post before finished

Lyn, I am a true Celt! I sunburn very easily. 

All quite  normal so far Chris as far as my experience tells me.  The only symptom I experienced whilst I was undergoing treatment was diarrhoea the other symptoms came in the weeks after treatment had finished. Now 5 months after I finished radiotherapy by far the most common side-effects I have is flatulence and it is constant nearly always through the day.  Most commonly  brought on by walking up and down stairs or bending over to pick something up luckily my wife finds it quite funny 

Edited by member 13 Feb 2019 at 15:17  | Reason: Not specified

Chris

Sorry to read that Chris. The machines do break down periodically, it caused me some worry but you will get the full treatment regardless.

Where i was treated there were two machines at that waiting room. The machine i wasn't on was down more than it was up with parts and engineers coming from the USA.

It meant my treatment was often late but we all got treated. Some people were moved to other machines (there were 7 in total at the centre) One of the radiologists told me they just keep working until they treat everyone, amazing people.

Over the weekend I started having noticeable difficulty urinating, similar to the way it felt after my biopsies, so I suspect that the radiation is starting to make my prostate swell up. It's not yet at the stage where it's a problem, but it's definitely noticeable. I told the nurse about it when I went for my treatment today, and she's arranging for a "radiation support worker" (whatever that might be!) to speak to me at some point this week.

Chris

Chris

Looking forward to a nice weekend off!

Chris

One good thing about being treated at a specialist cancer centre is that (unlike the rest of the hospital) they have a separate free car park for people undergoing treatment, so at least that removes the stress of having to find a parking space at the end of a long journey.

Yes, the nurses ask me every day if everything is going OK, and I'm being completely open with them about anything that does happen. I'm also seeing the oncologist once a week during my treatment, so I can raise any concerns with him, too. The Tamsulosin has sorted out the urinary issues for now, but I'll definitely tell them if it stops doing so!

All the best,

Chris

For ages and ages I've had severe pain in my right shoulder if I stretch my arm out sideways (up and down is fine and no pain under normal circumstances). Went to see a physiotherapist about a month ago. After several sessions she diagnosed "frozen shoulder" and advised me to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Went to my GP, got a referral to see said surgeon privately and had an appointment this evening.

Surgeon, after hearing my medical history, casually says that there's a possibility it's bone mets!!!! WTF! He says he doesn't think it is, because that would be more likely to cause constant pain (which I don't have) but he needs to rule it out. He sends me for multiple shoulder X-rays. These look normal, apparently, but now he wants me to have a shoulder MRI scan.

So that's me going to have sleepless nights for the next fortnight until I know the results. I know it's unlikely to be mets, but there's always the little voice that says "but what if...?"

Definitely NOT what I was expecting!

Chris

Chris

Chris

On the treatment front, 13 sessions now completed, so three more and I'll be at the half way point. Everything's fine, as far as symptoms go.

Chris