Ideas please ....

poly1

puddy wrote: »

cant the hospital provide transport? have you had radiotherapy before? from what ive heard from friends it is exhausting and i would worry about driving yourself

We did ask about hospital transport, and they can provide it BUT I would have to be picked up at 7:30am and would not get home til after 7 each night, which for me would be much worse. I have not had radiotherapy before but those I know who have had it say it is not half as bad as the chemo, which I had six months of, and realistically there is no way it can be THAT bad! As for driving myself I just have to rest up and go to be early, I know when I am safe to drive and if I find I am not I will get OH to take me for a day for a break. I think really the radiotherapy will be a doddle compared to the chemo and surgery so I really am not that worried about it .

poly1

Well things have changed and my rads have been post-poned for 2 weeks, so am hoping for wonderful weather so I can spend some time with the girls. Thanks for all your suggestions, they will be implimented in two weeks time!

floss2

poly1 wrote: »

We did ask about hospital transport, and they can provide it BUT I would have to be picked up at 7:30am and would not get home til after 7 each night, which for me would be much worse. I have not had radiotherapy before but those I know who have had it say it is not half as bad as the chemo, which I had six months of, and realistically there is no way it can be THAT bad! As for driving myself I just have to rest up and go to be early, I know when I am safe to drive and if I find I am not I will get OH to take me for a day for a break. I think really the radiotherapy will be a doddle compared to the chemo and surgery so I really am not that worried about it .

Yes it probably will be easier than the other treatments you have had, but it will have a cumulative effect in that you will feel more tired as the weeks go on. By week 3 or 4 you will not have the energy you had earlier on, and by week six I would seriously consider whether you would be safe to drive for 1.5 hours.

Why not speak to your radiotherapy consultant when you go to be "measured up", and see what they think about your plan to drive?

Errata

Poly - I agree witth Floss on this. I'm still getting tired and my radiotherapy was a year ago. I was completely exhausted at the end of the five weeks worth of nuking. I'd suggest having a chat about the driving with the oncology team, so at least they are aware and can keep an eye on you. I understand the problems with the hospital transport, but have you asked if there's a hospital car service being run at the centre? I had a hospital car every day, it was better than a taxi 'cos the volunteer drivers were absolutely ace people.

xoxo_2

Just to counterbalance the people saying don't drive - My grandad had radiotherapy after chemo and surgery and drove himself every day for the radiotherapy. The radiotherapy took it out of him a lot less than the other treatments, so you may be on Poly, try not to worry You can always cross that bridge when you come to it.

I have no suggestions though, but I thought the video camera idea on the previous page was a lovely idea! You could get 2, one for your kids to make you a video while you're gone and one for you to make a message for them while you're gone some days? Then cuddle up on the sofa when you get home and watch them with treats so you get quality time with them without having to use up the little energy you do have left.

Hope your treatment goes well xx

poly1

Thank you all for your kind concern :T, my oncology team are well aware that I plan to drive and they also know that I recognise well the symptoms of fatigue from my chemo. My Macmillan nurse did try to find out about the hospital car scheme but unfortunately there is no one in the locality that will drive that far. I have already said I will see how it goes and my OH will have to drive me on days I don't feel up to it (with the kids in tow probably!), although I probably don't seem it I am quite realistic about it (I am just an optimist too) and this is not the end of treatment for me either so I really have to put up with everything they throw at me :eek: no matter how unpleasant!

Errata

Wishing you well Poly, now and in the future.

barbiedoll

Yes, hope you enjoy your two weeks off and even if it rains...get out there and splash in some puddles!

Good luck with your treatment xx

Surfbabe

Just popping in to say hope it goes well Poly1 - my sister started radiotherapy yesterday - she also has a minimum of an hours drive into Washington DC USA so it could take a lot longer knowing the traffic in the states. She has been advised to have someone take her for he last two weeks when she will be really tired. If she lived nearer say only 30 mins it wouldn't be so bad but I wish you well.

bluenoseam

Hopefully it goes well for you, i've been there and it's not exactly the nicest of experiences to go through! I was fortunate enough that during my treatment i went with my local cancer care charity who'd drive me up & back, they'd send a driver and the people in the car would all have similar timed appointments - it was actually quite good to speak to other people who understood things which my family couldn't really grasp! It can be tiring, so be carefull though - and don't feel so guilty, ultimately everyone will understand that you need to be the priority for a while, i'm sure they'd rather you be around for a long time post treatment than worrying about you "missing" the holidays!

Oh and the only other thing i can say, remember that your radiographers can only help you if you tell them stuff - you'd be surprised how quickly they can "fix" things, mine was awesome and really sorted stuff out for me when things got too tough for me, granted it was probably more to do with the fact i was a bit niave & young but when she found out someone had ignored me, she sorted them out on the spot! Good luck with the treatment - PS the machine is a bit daunting at first, but be thankfull, i had to wear this every day, man it sucked!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/bluenoseam/DSCF0024.jpg