Starting radiotherapy

I had my radiotherapy at the Western General Hospital Cancer Centre and my experience was very similar to Kevan's.

I went for a planning scan where I was asked to use a micro enema and empty my bladder. I then had to drink three cups (the cups next to a cold water source) and wait 30 minutes.  During the planning CT scan I was marked up with three small "tatoo" dots and measurements on the bed were taken and noted.

I was given a sheet with all my appointments and times plus a pelvic radiotherapy advice sheet.

At this centre men having pelvic radiotherapy (I assume women have to do the same if they are having pelvic RT too) are asked to use a micro enema for the first 10 days of treatment (I had 20 sessions in total). I was told this was to remove any gas from the lower bowel and rectum so that it wasn't displacing anything.

I generally arrived about an hour prior to radiotherapy and used the enema. 30 minutes before my RT I emptied my bladder and then drank 3 cups of water as in the planning scan. My RT was due at 10:50 so I drank the water at 10:20 and handed a card over at the RT desk for themn to start "the clock". I rarely was taken at 10:50, it was often around 11:10 which wasn't easy considering I don't have a prostate!

The radiographers line you up on the bed very accurately. I forgot to mention that during the planning scan the position of the head rest and foot rest were also measured. All of this is replicated on the treatment bed. Once they were happy I was lined up some figures were read out to confirm this between at least two radiographers. The radiographers left the room and a very accurate CT cone scan is taken.

The RT team then align this image with the original planning image. You feel the treatment bed move slightly as they line those images up. 

Once they've done that the high voltage kicks in and the RT gantry rotates around you.

This is repeated each day so they are working to very tight tolerances to ensure the treatment is delivered to the correct area and non treatment areas are minimally exposed to radiation. If your bladder isn't full enough or too full they will ask you to empty your bladder and go through your routine again before actually treating you.

Best wishes, Ian

It is interesting to see from other posts how preparation for the treatment varies. Ray was told to use enemas daily, including weekends when he was not having treatment, he hated this and relished being a rebel and not using them Friday and Saturday! In fairness there was never a problem , although we did see several other patients having problems, and being sent out to sort out bowel and bladder difficulties before treatment could start. He was also asked to arrive one hour ahead of treatment, and to have his measured drink three-quarters of an hour before the treatment time. The actual radiotherapy was straightforward, and mostly ran to time, although one session ( he had 37), was cancelled due to machinery problems, we were phoned at 7 the previous evening.

Our appointments were all at or about ten in the morning, so arriving at the hospital by 9 meant at least that parking was not too difficult. It took nearly 20 minutes to park yesterday afternoon, that would have added to the stress in the morning!

We found the radiotherapy staff very kind and friendly, from the receptionists, who quickly got to recognise us, and all the other staff, and their caring attitude really helped. The general atmosphere of the waiting area was good, and I know Ray had several helpful conversations with

Other patients.

Our unit, a newish building built by MacMillan, has a bell to be rung by those finishing their treatment, and joining in the applause whenever it was rung was very moving, Definitely something to aim for and enjoy!

Good luck with your treatment.

Mikesmum

Dont think of them as enemas in the normal sense, where you get a good flush out, they are more  gentle lubricant to help you empty your bowels. Very often, the radiotherapy has a very similar effect and you stop taking them after about a week. 

The actual radiotherapy is a non-event, concentrate on getting into a routine to get yourself to your appointment time with empty bowels and your bladder sufficiently full and you will sail through it.

I don't think there is a "normal" on the NHS just a postcode lottery. I had tattoos and mini enemas, not all guys do. Advice on diets seem to vary at different hospitials. I am led to believe some machines do not require markers. Listen to you radiotherapy team they know what equipment you are being treated with.

Not sure where all the regular members are, there are alot of unanswered questions at the moment.

Good look with your treatment.

Thanks Chris

You meet the same group of daft old men cracking jokes and pulling legs, supporting each other, you feel sad when they finish their treatment, and they leave.

Paul

Well, I get to ring the bell at my Oncology hospital tomorrow!

 At the beginning seemed like it was going to take an eternity,  but here I am getting fraction 20 tomorrow.

 Reference the comments about not getting an ultrasound probe, I asked about this and it was explained about overlaying the ultrasound image over my planning CT scan to ensure my enema and drinking routine moved my rectum and bladder outside of the treatment beam as much as possible. Also IMRT with Ultrasound support and my tattoo alignment is accurate to less than 3mm I was informed. That sounds good enough to me.

The Bristol Haematology and Oncology hospital I get treated at is a Universty teaching hospital and reports put it on a par with The Royal Marsden and that was the worlds first hospital dedicated to cancer diagnosis and treatments and has an enviable reputation, so I’m very happy.

I won’t have much to report from now on, but I have been advised my side effects will continue to possibly get worse for two weeks after treatment completion and then subside slowly

once I am in remission I will be staying put here to help and advise those just starting their journey

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