Hi Anna
I think street parking is very difficult around there. There are so many hospitals and all the staff etc have to park their cars. My daughter in law works at Charles Clifford and she sets off for work at 7am just so that she can get a parking space. She parks somewhere over the other side of the park. You'll be OK in the little car park, just leave some extra time in case you have to queue.
I was going to suggest that you go for your treatment as early as you can. I went late afternoon and ended up having to wait on occasions for 2 hours+ before I went in to the treatment room. People who went in the morning seemed to get in more or less on time.
When you get to the hospital go in the side door which is just inside the little short tunnel on the right. As you go through the door immediately on your right are some curving steps they are down to the cellar!!!! where the radiotherapy department is. It's easy to miss and go wandering off into the main reception area.
When you get downstairs you'll be in the reception area. Report to the desk and then you wait in there until someone calls you to go through to the next waiting area. When you get in there you go into one of the cubicles and take your clothes of your top half and put them in one of the 'supermarket' type baskets which are in the cubicle. Put on one of the short gowns and go back into the waiting area, taking your basket with you, and wait in the sitting area for the machine you are going to be treated on.
At your setup session you go to the same place. You again put on a gown but the changing room is in the setup room itself so you don't have to go into the cubicle or use a basket. You will lie on a bed with a machine similar to the ones which give the treatment and you are measured and the radiotherapy area marked out. I had tatoos, one in the middle of my breasts, one on each side at the bottom of my breasts. These ensure that exactly the same area is treated every time.
They will give you your list of radiotherapy sessions at your setup. They will be differing times but around the time you ask for. I think that when you see the doctor, which I think is after the first two weeks and then every week you go in the afternoon. (can't remember properly)
You will probably get quite sore from the treatment, it affects your skin. I would start slapping the aqueous cream on ASAP to keep your skin in good condition. You can't use perfume or any perfumed products on the radiotherapy area while you are having treatment so you'll need some shower gel/soap which is unperfumed.
I found that it was uncomfortable to wear a bra but some of that was because my scar is in the crease underneath my breast. I got some of those little strappy tops from M & S with a secret support in. They were very much more comfortable.
It would probably be a good idea for someone to go with you for the first couple of times until you know the ropes - oh and take a book or DS 🙂 (love mine, got me through many a long wait at hospital) if you've got one just in case you have to wait.
The treatment itself, mine started exactly a week after my setup, only takes seconds. It's given in two doses from each side. The longest job is getting you lined up with your tattoos on the machine. You are in the room on your own while you are being treated the staff can see you on a monitor so if you have a problem they can come a rescue you. The treatment is completely painless. You don't feel anything at all.
Right off to my son's for my dinner now. It's usually Mum who's cooking so today makes a change.
If there's anything else Anna please ask.
Oh forgot when you lie on the machine bed for your treatment you have your short gown thing on and they just fold it back as much as necessary for your treatment. They are very mindful of your modesty. Really lovely people.
All the best for tomorrow. Let me know how you get on.
I've rattled on a bit. I hope you can make head or tail of what I've written.
Love and {{{hugs}}} to you. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
Jan xxxx
