Radiothreapy

Hi Anne-Marie

My radiation mapping experience was just like Leonie described. I didn't find it difficult at all. They tell you what they are doing every step of the way. I had my 19th radiation session today. I have 11 to go. So far no problems at all.

Wishing you all the best for it.

Take care, Nadine

Ahhh light bulb moment. So that's why my radiographer specialist advised me not to have radiotherapy as the risks out weighed the benefits. I am allergic to CT scan dye.

thanks April. All this positive feedback really helps me so much. Good luck with your next treatment and please keep posting. I can't tell you how much all the posts mean to me and how much they help.

??

Anne-Marie

Hi Caitlin, thanks for your positive feedback. And I'm like you 'such a sook with needles' although you think with all the jabs we have been through we would get used to them.  Today went well....cannula went in first go! 

Take care. ??

Anne-Marie

Thank You Leonie, your post made me cry and I don't cry very often. I felt so touch by you taking the time to reply and also that you have made me feel not so anxious. My last treatment today was fine, honestly the nurses, the volunteers and the staff are such amazing people. I'm having treatment at Wollongong public hospital (our private hospital has just opened) I'm sure all hospitals are the same because it's takes such special people to work in that area.  The receptionist even gave me a cuddle...

take care and keep posting.

Anne-Marie

I have not started my radiation but have had my prep planning.

Staff were wonderful. And it was not an issue at all. No pain no discomfort really and they kept the conversation light.

Good luck.

Hi Anne Marie,

Your journey sounds pretty much the same as mine. I finished 6 months of chemo in March, 4 cycles of AC and 12 of Taxol. 

I am 2 weeks into my Radiotherapy (today will be my 10th) and so far so good! I have slight redness but that's it.

I agree with Leonie, the preparation was very easy. The tattoo markings don't really hurt at all (and I'm a sook with needles!). Radiotherapy is a walk in the park compared to chemo! 

All the best for your last chemo today & starting the next phase of your journey.

Caitlin ?? Xox

Hi Anne-Marie - congratulations, almost done with chemo! YAY

I've just finished 4 AC and 12 taxols too, last Thursday was my last Paclitaxel dose, and I had my markup for radiontherapy the following day, so just done!  4 new tattoos to sport (seriously, sounds so dramatic, they're the size of needle pin pricks).  So honestly I didn't find the prep bad at all.  Basically - went in, stripped off the top half of clothes, laid on the CT machine bed, 2 of the team faff around for 10 minutes positioning you, getting you comfy and getting your arms above your head so that they get good points for the laser, and clear shots for your scar lines... they taped on a piece of wire along the scar so they could see it clearly on the scan.  The radio oncologist popped in with a marker pen to have a quick game of connect the dots with a washable marker pen, said hi, then popped out again. The team then slide you in and out a few times, its not an MRI so it's an open CT ring you don't feel to hemmed in....by this stage my neck was getting a bit stiff, but I could have nodded off from the boredom ... then they mark you up, little swab, drop of ink, tiny pin prick .. and repeat 4 times for 4 marks - compared to chemo / port needles this was nothing.  They you get up, get dressed and I had a session with the nurse to talk about the fact I can still have a glass of wine (yay), and a chat about costs and payment plans (not so yay ... this was the most painful bit), and then escape, for 4 weeks for me until I can start the first of my 30 sessions.  Compared to the early diagnosis, and chemo, it was nothing, hope it runs smooth for you, 

Best of luck - and congrats again on getting through that long chemo run, take care!

Leonie