Top tips
For having radiotherapy
Preparing for and having radiotherapy for your lymphoma may feel overwhelming due to the uncertainty having treatment can bring. Taking time to prepare yourself – physically and psychologically – may help you to feel less worried or anxious about it.
We asked members of our Facebook Support Group for their ‘top tips’ for having radiotherapy. Here is what they told us. Thanks to everyone for sharing their tips with us.
Before your treatment
- If you are able to choose your treatment time, try to make an early morning appointment if possible, as it can be a very tiring day.
- Consider practising your journey to and from the hospital so you know what to expect on the day, and how much time you might need to leave for your journey there and back.
- If you feel anxious, you might like to ask your medical team if it would be possible to visit the radiotherapy department and see the machine before your treatment, so you know what to expect.
- Take something to occupy you while you are waiting for your appointment, such as a book or podcasts, in case there is a delay.
- Remember, the treatment itself is usually a very quick process.
“Ask questions and watch videos in advance, showing the process – it’s easier when you know what to expect. Urszula
During your treatment
- Ask if you can use a meditation app on your phone, or something with relaxation or breathing exercises on.
- If you are having radiotherapy to your face or neck, you are likely to have to wear your mask (this will have been prepared in advance for you). Although it might feel claustrophobic, remember that you are able to breathe with your mask on. If you feel uncomfortable or that the mask isn’t fitting right, tell the medical team and they will be able to assist you.
- If you feel anxious, tell the team. They will be used to people feeling this way, and can support you through the process. You can ask for reassurance, or raise your hand if you need them to stop the treatment.
- If your treatment is to your face or neck, be careful about what you eat afterwards as your mouth might be feeling sensitive. For example, hot, hard or crunchy foods could hurt your mouth. Eating softer foods and drinking plenty of water might help.
“I gave myself challenges to think about to distract me, listing countries in my head in alphabetical order for example. Charles
“Breathing techniques helped me. I used 4-7-8 and box breathing*. You can also research yoga breathing for stress relief. Angela
After your treatment
- Regular appointments for treatment can be exhausting. It helps to have a supply of food in the freezer, or simple food to hand, for when you don't feel like cooking. You could also ask for help with food from family or friends.
- Be prepared that you might feel extreme fatigue following your treatment sessions. Check out the top tips for coping with fatigue on the website, or our podcast on fatigue.
*4-7-8 breathing: breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, breathe out loudly through your mouth for 8 seconds. Box breathing: breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, breathe out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds.
This information comes from our Facebook community. This is not intended to be medical advice and is not a replacement for advice from your medical team. If you have any top tips to share, email the Magazine Editor at publications@lymphoma-action.org.uk or join our Facebook Support Group at facebook.com/groups/LymphomaActionSupportUK
