Radiotherapy 20 sessions over 4 weeks any tips

He's a 'do things by the book' sort of chap. He'll follow any instruction to the letter I know. 

I saw you need to drink lots of water etc. Hope the side effects aren't too severe 

That's really helpful! It's so nice to have a positive story. The consultant we saw I thought was very good. He is in the Radiotherapy bit,and said if husband agrees we'll see him. I think this is excellent.  

We explained we had a holiday booked and might cancel. He said he didn't think we needed to: husband could have scan session before, then 12 day holiday, and start RT when we get back. 

He'll be going to the Churchill in Oxford and they always give you a mini enema suppository. 

To me, I think my husband's quite fit for 74. He walks several miles at least every other day and whenever possible. He's walked the coast to coast and several other long distance walks. He's always active, chopping wood for our woodburner, the allotment,  which we both do. He used to go running until 2 years ago, when he had a detached retina but now prefers long fast walks. I couldn't bear to see him too wiped out! So here's hoping he gets on as well as you did. 

I think at the Churchill they recommend you keep well hydrated the week before, and they give a certain amount of water to drink, I think it might be 300ml. 

Thank you, that's useful.  We live in a village outside Oxford and we do say if we need to go to the Churchill it's so good we're quite near. It's about 20 mins. But yes we can put an empty bottle in the car, and I can drive. 

Hi Antoinette, 

Just giving you an update as I too am on 6 months hormone therapy and radiotherapy. I had my 20 sessions of EBRT after 10 weeks on the HT and it finished last week. It was in the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital. I had to change HT drugs after two months due to side effects (more details in a separate post).

I had SpaceOAR gel inserted two weeks before the RT started. I was advised to come in an hour before the RT session each day to start my preparation. On arrival I used a mini enema, which always worked within 15 mins or less. I would then spend the next 10 to 15 mins drinking 500ml of water so that the exact same amount of water remained in my bladder each day. This left approx 30 mins to wait before my session. I followed the exact same pattern every day. 

I dId experience a strong burning sensation in the pelvic area and some nausea on the first few days.  I was told this was unusual. It eased somewhat but I did experience a mild burning sensation every single day for a few hours after treatment. Other than that, the first two weeks went by without any issues. By week 3 I was definitely more tired and by week 4 I was exhausted.  The weekend two-day respite from treatment always helped me reset.

Now one week on from RT, I have some cystitis and bladder issues but have medication which improves it. I will stay on Bicalutamide and Tamofaxin until 1 June. 

Hope this information is useful for your husband.

Hi there Antoinette

I completed my 20 treatments just over 3 weeks ago. I was 3 says later than planned finishing - 2 days due to unit downtime and once to me downtime ( too much gas in my bowel to stabilise my all my appropriate bits in the right place). Gas was a not uncommon problem amongst the men waiting for a treatment session. 

The only side effect I've had has been bowel looseness both during the later treatment sessions and afterwards - I've been Imodium free for a week now. Support from radiotherapists was excellent, especially as one was in the same Running Club as me. Almost all of my sessions were on the same machine so there is a good chance to build an understanding with the team. I was given their direct line number to call if I had any questions or issues. As I said earlier, I used to call about an hour before my time, they would confirm whether they were on schedule and when I should drink my 500ml water. This saved lots of time hanging around in the waiting area.

Hope it goes well.