I have been measured up and tattooed for a stereotactic radiotherapy starting first session on 22nd September at 10am on alternate days for 5 sessions. Hopefully it will work, otherwise a lot longer ๐๐พpositive thoughts and prayers are with me, as a spiritual aid.
My blood clot incident has, up to now, not left any side effects, have oxygen up to 97%. I think I took away, though, maybe๐คa right and left ventricle heart strain - moderate, which worries me a bit. If anyone knows anything about any of these two 'things' Stereotactic radiotherapy' and the 'ventrical' problem I would be more than grateful to hear about them, as I'm not into googling much anymore.
I appreciate you all and I hope you all have an easy breathing day๐ค๐
Hugs and love, Spicy - and lovely- ๐๐๐Bev xxx ๐ฅฐโ๐
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Gingerapple
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So you have been tattooed, done with a CT scan and little reflectors and using a jigsaw of pieces to make up a comfortable head rest as well which will go on to be used as a mould to make a proper one piece custom headrest.
During that CT scan they will have mapped out the tumour relative to your tattoos. These will be used later to target the tumour precisely with the Linac (Linear Accelerator) machine.
You will be asked to change into a gown, you must not wear a bra or other metallic objects.
When you are laying on the treatment table, the operatives will physically push your body about to get you in the right position to align you up on the table, this is not an uncomfortable process. Next you will here them calling out a series of numbers, the precise positions of your tattoos, you ignore those numbers they are not for you to remember for any reason at all. Remember you MUST remain completely still.
The operatives will then leave the bunker (treatment room) and the machine will position itself, accurately to the for the first scan, then it will rotate around your body to other positions doing further scans. The machine returns to it's original first position to start giving you the first dose of radiation and move again to the second position and repeat the radiation dose.
At all times you will be monitored via a video and microphone link. The process can be stopped immediately if necessary.
That is all there is to it, the actual exposure times themselves are measured in seconds.
The first session will take the longest and get shorter as you become accustomed to what is required from you. 20/30 mins per session at first perhaps only 15/20mins later.
Totally painless except perhaps a little cramp getting off the table at the end. There can be a few side effects like fatigue or some reddening of the skin or even a little radiation induced inflammation. Personally I experienced very little fatigue for one day only and some inflammation that was dealt with by a course of steroids. They do recommend having a escort because of the chance of fatigue and not recommended to drive yourself either.
Like you I had 5 fractions (sessions) on alternate days and as you know has been, so far successful. I hope I have covered everything and if you have any questions at all just ask. Good luck with the treatment and hope you tolerate the treatment as well as I did.
What a wonderful explanation and I see the picture in front of me now! I hope the actual 'zapping' doesn't take too long because I'm always so scared of moving! Hard on my body. But I will be brave and still. I'm a little worried about shortness of breath, after๐คperhaps it won't happen? Fatigue is very normal for me. I really appreciate your explaining everything to me, I feel rather small in life when I think of the big things I have to do ๐I hope to speak with you again soon๐๐ฅฐ
There is no shortness of breath afterwards at all, in fact you will wonder if anything happened, wondering if the machine had broken down. Any of the commonest side effect of fatigue will probably not take place until after the third session, perhaps not at all even. You will feel no different than just having an X-ray.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery, sending you a virtual hug.
Ps if you do use dr google stick to the nhs sight then you would know what to expect. Nothing like a first hand experience i know but if you are concered about the proceedure it should give you some guidence of what to expect.
Wow stereo raidotherapy,i wonder if it comes with dolby surround sound and as much free popcorn as you can eat spicy fruit. i have no doubt that you will sail through the experience and eventualy reach a destination where tumours are bannished or made rediculously small and unable to do you harm.
Love and best wishes for uneventful sessions that you barely remember in the future.
Lol.....did I type that wrong? ๐I am a strange one sometimes! Or...autocorrect ๐ค๐
If I'm thinking of you all here I shall definitely come through singing. Thanks for that, you two, you encourage me and make me laugh. Hugs, always๐ค๐๐พโฅ๏ธ
No your typing was perfect Bev,i was just playing with the word and if we mde you laugh thats good and our work is done. xx
Hope all goes well and all in your favour Spicy.
Sterostatic radiotherapy specificallty targets the tumour from many different directions to help avoid healthy tissue. The information leaflet with your letter should explain some
Well the ventrical problem that all depends on what your ventrical problem is. ventrical problems not good to have but hope you doctors can explain more about what is happening particularly with yours (sometimes you have to ask the direct question, the medics generally don't offer the information unless the patient asks.
Thanks so much for your reply. I hope you're well ๐๐พ๐I actually know about the ventricular problem, what usually happens, is that someone will eventually tell me about their ventricular problem and then I compare a bit, even though we're all different, I try to grasp a different picture than my own, it helps my soul. Some people explain things better and that's why I always ask. Doctors blabber and sometimes don't really answer, or they tell you you're dying......The Radiotherapy has also been explained at Christie's but I like to get the experience from other people, it helps me. I seem to have a lot of health problems at one time, cancers, blood clot, heart.....it's a lot to take in and especially when you live alone....trying to soften blows๐๐พ๐
Glad you are fully aware of things I could tell you my experience but its unlikely to be the same as yours. But of all diagnosis, I think Cancer is a pretty tough challenge to deal with, especially when one lives alone without any real support.
Take good care. I found the Cancer Care support through the hospital was excellent, they rang me quite regularly, they work closely with MacMillan so if you've not already had contact, do make contact with them. The thing is they are only supporting the Cancer affect on patients, emotionally, psychologically etc. Its a lot to deal with.
The lung and heart things are closely related one affects the other. My ventrical problem, resulted in angiogram, then medications afterward. Just that the left ventrical was closing and emptying out into right ventrical before it had filled fully. Years down the line I seem to be ok now, not even on the meds The body is very good at healing itself given the right environment care / self care, this has been my experience.
Now I feel so much better! You have given me your experience and there may be hope for me then, because I was feeling wretched and suffering a lot with up and down heart values, high, low, racing etc. I think I'm a little stressed and did too much yesterday, this may be why my heart is so chaotic today. I sometimes really do need to hear from other people๐
I'm glad you're ok now. ๐
McMillans have been kind to me, but I have a lot of help here on the forum, too, the soul is sometimes wretched and I need all of you here, this is my support, too. You have also helped me greatly tonight, Bkin๐ค๐โค
My experience was increasing palpitations, from 8 a week to 8 a day, some lasting what seems like 2 minutes, a very strange and worrying sensation when its seems to last so long and you wonder if / when it will stop. I was put on statins, asprin and diltiazem, I am not on either of those 3 now. Sure hope the meds can fix things for you as well. Take good care and don't overdo things.
Hi Dear Bev, The very Best for the 22nd,. I have a problem with Left side Heart ventrical, Consultant says this is slowing my capability to have a good discharge flow of Air that also affects my Lung, I only have the Right Lung that works at 17% . Left doesn't work at all. I asked her "Do I see a Heart Specialist" she said No, we will monitor it, that was well before The Pandemic. Still no Monitoring. I do my Stats every Morning and my BP can be high, I can calm down after awhile to get a decent reading. See what Amy says on the 14th October, my First Face to Face Appointment. I also did Too much on Wednesday, though had my Oxygen on (24/7 now), I made a Fresh Salad, too much, I was gasping and poorly next Day. We have to Learn to slow Down to Tortoise pace.. So Take things all very Slowly as I'm sure you will Hun. Take Care. Stay Safe, Much Love. C. XXX
Good luck to you, youโve been thrown an awful lot to deal with, all at once. Scrambles the brain, not knowing what to worry about first. You will worry. Telling someone not to worry is a waste of time and a bit insulting but I suggest you find your own way to keep from panicking, very slow breathing helps me a lot, really concentrating on doing it regularly. Your mind will wander, accept it and pull back to the breathing. Panicking is easier but is so exhausting and so pointless.
One of the worst things about illness is the powerlessness which is what makes you panic. So......you canโt control what what is happening to you, so control what you are able to e.g. your food, your reading, your breathing. See and talk to only those who โliftโ you. Treat yourself to whatever you fancy and put the slap on......even if it is mainly hidden by a mask!
Thinking of you dear Spicy Other Bev ๐ I hope it all goes as well as these things can. Thank goodness for everyone sharing their experiences, somehow things are a bit less scary when other people have been through the same thing. Sending you lots of woolly sheep hugs ๐ they might be rather wet and squishy hugs after all this rain but thatโs part of the charm ๐๐๐๐๐๐
Thank you so much๐คI'm glad you're all rooting for me, it makes me able to breathe better, physically and mentally ๐ค๐๐พโคYou're my best support!
I hope you're feeling better now, Cas๐ป๐๐๐
Love and hugs to you Bev, you will not be going into battle alone, will be with you on the 22nd in spirit. 2greys explained everything so well I am sure this must have put your mind at rest x
A...that is so sweet, I love not going into battle alone, I shall reach for your hand!๐คYes, 2greys did explain everything and that's why I feel so much better now. The first battle, I'm ready for it๐๐พ
Wishing you well for the 22nd and the sessions after. I'm sure that you will be in good hands at Christies. I hope that you get some answers for your cardiac problems too soon. Heaven knows you already had enough on your plate.
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i have no doubt that you will sail through the experience and eventualy reach a destination where tumours are bannished or made rediculously small and unable to do you harm.
Update on Tigger........
PET Scan Results
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Is this Normal- update 
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