Personal Tales Please

[Bathsheba]

Has anyone here had radiotherapy following chemo and hysterectomy please? I was fine with chemo, hardly any side effects, but I have to have radiotherapy 5 days a week for 5 weeks :(

Thanks in advance

Baths
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[Lie-in King]

There she is, flushed with success ;-)

[anneasquith]

That would have been the special prayer/hymn for constipation. Amen. :-) :-)

[Bathsheba]

Lol @ Lion-king and Anne! Trouble is, it's not as if I can say, glad that's all over with, cos I've got to go again tomorrow, and the day after etc for 5 bloomin' weeks!!

Baths
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[ducksie]

I've had radiotherapy, 28 blasts of it plus 2 boosters, following hysterectomy, mastectomy and chemo, was back in 2004, I remember the chemo as bad as it was didn't compare to the radiotherapy, it only takes a second to get zapped as they say, but over time it burned like hell, nap wouldn't be how I describe the fatigue, once asleep, the earth moving won't wake you, it's so very tiring, you'll need all the support to even get a bit of food into you, to have the energy to wash, trying to find products with no aluminium in it back then was a disaster and being unable to wash with regular scented soaps, that's only a small price to pay for being so well again, I didn't think it at the time, I wish you all the best with your treatment, I've been there and hope I never have to go back that way, Wishing you a speedy recovery

[ducksie]

I kept a daily journal of how I felt - separate from a regular diary, I wrote in things like, when the machine was down for a day and physics had to fix it, that added an extra day to my treatment. I had to stay at the hospital and over the time built up a good few relationships and we helped each other along. I still look back on that journal and can't believe it was me, so tired and like I'd been cooked in the microwave, some may say I shouldn't tell you this part, yet, you asked for personal stories. I wish there had been a resource like this when i was having my treatment.

[Bathsheba]

Oh ducksie, how dreadful.
There was a lady there yesterday who had a sick bowl, and was using it. Her daughter said she was like that all the time,,,,,,couldn't eat anything, so had to have a peg fitted to get some food into her.
I consider myself so lucky to have got through chemo without any problems, so it's too early to say if I'm getting any with radiotherapy, but afternoon naps have been taken......;)

Baths
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[ducksie]

Medicine has improved over time Baths, I was bad with chemo, but the radiotherapy was hell for me, I only had the metallic taste with chemo, I expected that, didn't lose my hair or anything, I thought after the 1st week of radiotherapy what a doddle, a walk in the park, after the weeks passed and I cooked away slowly I swore I'd never go through that again, body has a good way of healing and I would if I had to, I went on then to get hormone therapy, that was ok, I just use the razor now ;) and speak with a lower tone

[Bathsheba]

Lol ducksie! What's all that about aluminium? I haven't heard of that yet.

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[Bathsheba]

Have just Googled it. Interesting.

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[scorpiojo]

.lady gardens and ducksie's lower tone..so glad you're back, Baths ;o) xx

[anneasquith]

Great to see someone like ducksie to share her experienced with baths.

[Bathsheba]

Lol @Jo,....it helps to be a bit daft ;)

Tomorrow I'm going to ask for some figures. They won't mean anything to me, but hopefully Peter will decipher them for me.

Baths
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[ducksie]

Sorry Baths, I didn't explain the aluminium bit to you, I should have, saved you googling, cosmetic products like deodorants have aluminium, it sparks off like metal in a microwave when in the 'chamber' so I had to get products in a natural health shop and make sure there was no aluminium in it. Washing with E45 or some emollient 'soap' did nothing to make me feel fresher.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks ducksie, that's something else will ask them at my 5.30 apptmnt. I'm sure they're sick of me cos I hold the routine up, but if the intercom was 2 way instead of just one I could ask my questions when I'm lying there and they're in another room ;)

Baths
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[Bathsheba]

Have just had some "aids" delivered! A perching stool, a wheely trolley, and a frame round toilet, which I have actually just used!! Yay!! :D

Baths
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[ducksie]

Keep asking them anything and everything, remember, this is strange territory for you, it's their job and to help you get through your treatment as comfortable as possible it's important that you understand what is happening,have a little jotter and if somethign comes to mind, write it down and ask them, what does that mean or why do I feel like this and what you can do to help make things more comfortable too. I'm glad the aids came, they're great help, I had to get that toilet thing as well, an extra banister on the stairs, and at 37 a zimmer frame kind of thing, now I'm permanently using a rollator, I don't like it, it keeps me moving though so I live with it. Rest well, and mark off each of those sessions. I'll keep you in my thoughts and if you didn't mind I'll follow your progress here. Ducksie ;)

[Bathsheba]

Hey ducksie, yep I'll keep posting on here if nobody minds! Appt at 5.30 today, so loadsa rush hour traffic,...OH is shutting his shop (barber's) early and taking me.

Baths
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[Bathsheba]

Ducksie...,forgot ..... you're only 37? :(

Baths
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[ducksie]

No Baths, you're at your appointment as I type this, I was 37 receiving my treatment after hyster and mastect along with lymph nodes, but I'm here, in all my glory telling you about it ;) I'm 50 now, as my friend likes to tell me, I'm in my 51st year :) never thought I'd see it to be honest

[Bathsheba]

Aah ducksie, I understand now!

Today's treatment was uneventful and superquick, and I mentioned aluminium, and they said nah, that thinking is long gone now.

If Peter's about, these are the figures I was given. The Consultant wants me to have 4,500 cGy in 25 fractions, followed by a brachytherapy.

Baths
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