Just finished 6 FEC (thank God), have had rads planning session & treatment starts on the 27th May…Having read through a lot of the threads, I have to say that I found the Rads staff very sympathetic and considerate. They only exposed that part of me that were necessary & despite there being a male in the room, I did not feel uncomfortable (must be getting used to flopping it all out on demand!) The tattoos are not worrying me much as they seem to have blended in with my freckles quite nicely. As for the music can’t wait to see what my choices will be - hope its not Frank Sinatra!!!
I am a bit concerned about the tiredness many of you have experienced as It is a 2 hour round trip & I do intend to drive myself. Previous experience of my Mum using a hospital car for the same journey has put me off that idea & the only other option is the train which I’m sure would be equally tiring. Will have to wait & see.
I have just finished rads and in comparsion to chemo - a walk in the park. I too had a two hour round trip and that was without waiting and having the actual treatment - in total I was usually gone 3 hours. The worst was defo the travelling and I did get very tired towards the end - but also managed to pick up a virus in the last week which did not help. Felt I could have gotton there with my eyes closed in the end.
I had fantastic music most of the time - and the staff were brill. we had separate changing rooms - where we took only all the top off and put a gown on - then waited in the waiting area until being called. Then only had to expose the necessary areas. Felt I was treated with respect and dignity at all times whether male or female staff.
We chatted on the chemo thread too - can only agree with the other (and I’m a fully zapped person too!) - it was much easier than the chemo - staff/music/atmosphere really great - my first couple were a 2 1/2 hour drive there and then 2 1/2 back again - couldn’t have done it everyday, both for tiredness reasons and costs - so stayed in a lodge provided by my health board for the duration of the treatment (4 weeks) - was very nice - like being in a hotel - but with hospital food lol (though there was a very nice pub serving 2 for the price of one bar meals which I frequented with other patients !!
Thanks girls, I really feel that i’m on the home stretch now. The side effects from this chemo didn’t seem as bad as the last 5,maybe it was the weather or just that i new it was the last one. But I am confident that the rads will be a breeze after the last few months. Forgot to mention, that they do a Look Good Feel Better event at Exeter, free makeover & loads of makeup apparently. Just off to make a phone call!!!
If you can get on that Look Good Feel Better thing then go for it… I didn’t do it myself but some of the ladies at the Beatson were talking about it & the ones who had been said you got a huge back of free make-up and it was all expensive stuff.