Good news regarding next Mondays appointment - good luck! I will be thinking of you. Regarding dignity....so far I haven't felt embarressed as they do seem to cover you up well...not sure what to expect when treatment starts but maybe Sandra or Texasgirl can elaborate on that... i'm planning on driving myself the 35 mile to the hospital and back for the first 2 - 2 1/2 weeks and then I have a son, sister and husband to take the wheel. Its best to think of a back up plan - just in case you don't feel like it. I am sure all will be fine - its always best to go with a positive outlook - we are here to give each other support. All the best Mandy xx
good luck with your treatment , I m now in my second week glad that I m finally being treated , it is tough and chemo seems to have different effects on people , for me I had waves of sickness although I wasn't actually sick! Make sure you take your anti sickness through chemo as I m sure I would have been a a lot worse had I not taken them. I have a very sore mouth and lips and a bit of a swollen throat but I m glad to be chemo free for a couple of weeks! Aparantely it's still working in your body with the radiotherapy so the tiredness some days really kicks in. I seem to have a good day and then a couple of tired days but just take each day at a time. All the waiting to start is a nightmare for everyone it seems but I started feeling much more positive once treatment has started .
Wishing you both best of luck it always helps having others that you can relate to.
That all sounds positive and at least you are underway. Only another 3 1/2 weeks to go! I will be glad when I have started.....keep me posted with your treatment and I will with mine.
Mandy so you have a bit of a track too. I think I'm going to drive myself for as long as I can. Then I'll lean on my family a bit, the trouble is I live in north wales with my youngest daughter and her little family, the rest all still live in Birmingham, so I'm a bit limited on drivers, but I'm going to stop stressing about it and just get on with it.
Gillibean I'm glad your treatment is under way, it won't be long until we've all done it! Can't wait to get back to being boring and mundane lol.
Do you all work? Your not trying to carry on working while having treatment are you?
It really helps to rinse your mouth with a salt water solution after you eat. It healed my mouth very quickly each time an ulcer was trying to pop out. I got a nasty looking huge ulcer on the roof of my mouth during treatment (it looked like a boil). The salt water solution was very soothing and offered immediate relief. It would help your throat, too if you can gargle (I choke when I try). In case you aren't familiar with it here are the portions.
I lost 20 pounds and have not invested in any new clothing because I hope to put the weight back on. They went after my lymph nodes and vagina (as well as my bum) and my skin broke down towards the end of treatment. The nurses suggested that I allow everything to "air". I wore a skirt around the house and no underwear while going through treatment. And I slept in a large t-shirt and no underwear. When I was in the hospital I would stack the covers and pillow on one side to shield myself from anyone that might walk in and I left the covers off of that area. Leggings are really soft and comfortable although not my best look while so skinny.
I was given a sheet to wrap around me during radiation treatments. All clothing from the waist down must come off, but they covered me in a sheet. If you wear a skirt or dress you could probably just pull it up. There are so many doctors and nurses and they all want to/need to take a peek. Although I hate for anyone to see me naked, the inhibitions went away pretty quickly.
Also, unscented wet wipes are best to use. Toilet paper can take the skin off. And dab instead of wiping. They should prescribe a lotion that helps the skin to heal, but also coat the area with ointment when not going to treatment. I hope I'm not offending anyone or this isn't too much information.
I'm so glad you have the option of a room should you need it. I was so happy to have people taking care of me and cried when I had to tell them bye.
Hi texasgirl, thank you for this info. I know all the treatment is to make me cancer free but you've answered my concerns about everyone seeing my bum... not that I have a particularly big one or anything! I already use water wipes for the toilet part, after my surgery I found them much gentler than paper. All the advice does really help and will help others.
Sue x
i was just thinking - here in Scotland there is a website called cancercars.co.uk they arrange to pick up patients and take them to their radiotherapy appointments - it’s a fantastic service that a few people told me about. I don’t know if there’s anything similar in Wales and England.
or maybe at the hospital you’re attending g they’ll have something similar.
Hi sandsj, they do provide transport in a taxi I believe, but I've been told they could pick you up at 8 am, and you might not get back home till teatime, as you have to wait for everyone in your taxi to have treatment, I've decided I'm just going to drive myself as long as I'm OK to, then my daughter and son in law will help if it gets too difficult.
thanks for that I will try it , am finding it hard to drink any warm drinks and then I tried with a straw which obviously by passes your lips and it's great ! Feeling very tired and having a lot of nerve pains in my legs did you get that? So glad to have this weekend off the burning around my groins is very uncomfortable but am slapping on cream whenever I can! When I blow my nose it's bloody too that's from the chemo they said. Laying down is much more comfortable than sitting now! Hope you re feeling better. Gilliebean x
