My first day of radiotherapy
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
November 14, 2017 1:36pm CST
Today proved to be rather interesting. It began with being invited into a cubicle where the nurse explained in detail what would happen during the treatment. This seemed a little superfluous since I had previously been told what to expect.
When I went in to the treatment room they first spent time ensuring that I was properly aligned on the table and made a scan. The treatment to the head was first, followed by readjusting my position and radiating the lungs. I was there for maybe 45 minutes.
It is surprisingly difficult to lie absolutely still, especially when you are concentrating to do so. Nevertheless I managed not to move and the treatment went smoothly. I do feel a little strange at the moment, although nothing specific. It could even be my imagination.
The worst part of the day was arriving at the hospital at 4 PM and discovering that the coffee bar closes at 4 PM.
32 people like this
31 responses
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec 17
@nanette64 I would probably ask for a bunch of Valium, to raise my "don't give a sh*t" level. I got quite the cocktail when they operated on my knee. Ms Horse said I talked a blue streak as she was driving me home.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
15 Nov 17
It never fails @MALUSE . That's about the time I have to either cough, sneeze or go pee.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
14 Nov 17
Glad you have started this treatment.
Yes it must be quite strange to lie still for so long and with no coffee..booo.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 17
@TiarasOceanView Yes, it could be withdrawal symptoms.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
23 Nov 17
hopefullythe treatment will make a big positive difference for you
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
24 Nov 17
@Asylum there are bound to be some side effects
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Nov 17
That timing was a blow, I'm sure. But then the coffee probably had not fresh for some time. I am glad this first treatment went well and hope that there are no ill effects from it.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic Exactly, although I would prefer it to be already completed.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
19 Nov 17
@Asylum A bit of time to rest up for the next round.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
15 Nov 17
My dad didn't seem to have any side effects from his radiation but he only had 7 before he passed away.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
15 Nov 17
@Asylum For sure much good luck to you.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
15 Nov 17
We hope that you get well soon and you would successfully be able to go through radio therapy sessions.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
16 Nov 17
@dpk262006 So far it seems okay.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
16 Nov 17
@Asylum Let's hope that the next round of radio therapy would have remained easier and you were able to tolerate it without any problem.
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
17 Dec 17
I have not been here for several months. I decided to check some profiles and when I saw yours I thought 'oh Iwonder where he has been on holiday this year?. I was so astonished to read your through yuor discussions and see what you have been through, not a holiday at all. However, from what I read so far, it seems that all is going well and that you are almost through it all. I am so sorry that you had to ecperience this but you seem to have been positive about it, going along with it all, and I wish that very soon it will all be a thing of the past. Hugs to you Barry! 
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Dec 17
It will never become a thing of the past because cancer is not curable. It can be subdued and controlled, so I am looking forward to a period of tranquility. Constant treatment can be an absolute nightmare.
It still seems unlikely that I will be fit to travel again, but I do have every chance of an acceptable level of life.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Dec 17
@mysdianait It could be subdued for a while, but is certain to return in due course.
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
17 Dec 17
@Asylum It might well be subdued for a long long time and indeed never raise its head again 
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
15 Nov 17
Well I hope the treatments do the trick for you and hope the side effects aren't too bad. Sucks the coffee bar was closed.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
15 Nov 17
@Asylum It could be, i would keep track of your symptoms and let them know next time you go
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36442)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Nov 17
I pray all the treatments go well. How many of these treatments do you need to have?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
15 Nov 17
I wonder if I would capable to stay still for 45 minutes, this must be terribly hard. I suppose that some parts of your body could hurt not moving for so long. Terrible news about the coffee, at least the coffee bar at our local hospital closes at 8 pm.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Nov 17
It sure is hard to set completely still. When I had an MRI a few months ago it was very hard. I think I had to set there for about 45 minutes also. Not fun.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Nov 17
@Asylum .....Better in both if you don't move.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
17 Nov 17
Oh bummer, it takes a lot of coffee to make all this bearable. I am glad you are only feeling a little strange, hopefully, all the treatments will be uneventful and now at least you know that you need t arrive a bit earlier.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
17 Nov 17
@Asylum Sleep can be very healing, your body knows what it needs so sleeping is a good thing. I know for an active person this isn't ideal but hopefully this too will pass
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
14 Nov 17
Hope the treatments will all go well for you. Maybe arrive about 5:45 next time?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
14 Nov 17
@Asylum Good, you'll get there in time for coffee in case you don't want it from the vending machine.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
15 Dec 17
Shock horror about the coffee bar closing! I hope you were not given a cup of ghastly NHS stuff!
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Nov 17
Is radio therapy similar to radiation over here? I've never heard of that before, so I'm not sure. Is it okay for you to eat or drink before they do the scans? A friend of mine had both chemo and radiation, but I never thought to ask her what she could or couldn't do beforehand or how it was done.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 17
Yes, it does involve subjecting the patient to radiation.
No restrictions are placed on intake of food or drink because my treatment involves the brain and lungs. It may be different for someone who is having treatment to the stomach.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
19 Nov 17
@MarshaMusselman I usually drink coffee regular at home, but over the past few days it has become less attractive and I have switched to tea.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38652)
• Midland, Michigan
19 Nov 17
@Asylum Do you drink coffee at home also, or were you just looking forward to having some there and that got nixed in a hurry?
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (205745)
• Walnut Creek, California
29 Dec 17
That would be painful.Had you had some coffee earlier in the day? I hope so. Explaining what will happen is a good thing--a stress reducer. But you probably know that. Perhaps the explainer didn't know you'd heard it all before. I hope the treatment is working!
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
29 Dec 17
It would not have been too bad if the treatment had been spread out more, but I had a daily visit there for two weeks. This proved to be rather demanding and harsh after a few days.
However, it has now been a few weeks since the treatment ended and I feel much better.
