Jitters about starting Radiotherapy

Hi

I start 5 days of radiotherapy next week. I will be staying away for the duration coming away for the weekend.

I am feeling slightly scared as I don’t really know what to expect. Up to  I have been feeling optomistic about my treatment and prognosis.   

I coped with the surgery as I have had surgery before. 

Maybe it is because I will be away from home and alone. 

I said to one of the girls in the office that I was scared, she told be I had bigger b*lls than most of the men at work and that I have the strength to do this, which was nice to hear. Her gran had the same treatment so she was sure I would cope. 

I am still a bit scared though, just wanted to get it off my chest.

Sharon

Hello Sharon,

Thinking of you, wishing you lots of luck for your treatment next week, we are all different and deal with things differently. 

Drink plenty of water, lots of rest most of all take good care with lots of TLC I found I carried on as normal after I had my treatment each day, as your not at home was wondering if you have a friend to support you,

We have all been there and now we are here for you. Keep posting a let us know how your getting on.

biggest hugs Tili :rainbow: :rainbow:

Hello @MrsHill  

As Tili says we all cope with things in different ways and our coping mechanisms are all different 

I too had surgery then radiotherapy and came through my surgery with no problems, but it was just before my radiotherapy that I fell off an emotional cliff. I attempted to rationalise it in my head by thinking the surgery was fine because you can go into hospital and have an operation for any number of reasons, however you only have radiotherapy for cancer and it just brought back all those initial feelings I had when I was diagnosed. If I’m completely honest it took some time for my head to catch up with what was happening to my body. 
I was lucky to only live a 15 minute drive from the hospital, so I can only imagine how different it will be for you being away from home whilst you have your treatment 

There are lots of things you can do to help deal with the physical effects lots of water, moisturiser (I was using it 3 times a day) and you will need to do the shoulder exercises again to keep them mobile. Emotionally I would hope/expect that at the centre there should be nurses looking out for you emotionally: I was given an appointment just before my last session with a lovely nurse who just checked in with me, and I also found the radiographers to be incredibly kind and caring 

Wishing you all the best next week

AM xxx

Wishing you the best of luck . I finished my 5 day course at the end of September. I felt a really big relief after the first session . I felt a bit weird though waiting for side effects to kick in . I felt slighter more aware of my skin after each session but nothing compared to the op . The most irritating thing is the waiting to go and what to do after . I just kept myself busy and did a bit of shopping and walking the dog . The radiographers were so lovely but you hardly have time to think about it while you are there . It is such an emotional time but over so quickly . Rest when you can .