Instructions for Women Receiving Radiation Therapy to the Pelvic Area

Transcription

1 PATIENT EDUCATION patienteducation.osumc.edu Instructions for Women Receiving Radiation Therapy to the Pelvic Area We will work closely with you to help you feel your best while getting radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Here are instructions to follow during your treatment. Treatment Diary A Daily Treatment Diary is attached to these instructions to keep a record of your side effects. Please fill it out every day. Remember to bring it with you for your weekly visits with your Radiation Oncology doctor. Control of Diarrhea Diarrhea is when you have loose or watery bowel movements (stool). A low fiber diet may help to control diarrhea. Ask a member of your health care team for instructions about what to eat. Following this diet will help to prevent or reduce diarrhea. Diarrhea usually begins 2 ½ to 3 weeks after you start radiation. Diarrhea can be helped with a medicine called Imodium AD. You can buy Imodium AD at a pharmacy. You do not need a prescription. Start taking 1 to 2 tablets after each diarrhea stool. You may take up to 8 Imodium tablets in a 24-hour period. Tell your Radiation doctor when you start having diarrhea. Tell your doctor if it gets worse or if it is not helped with Imodium AD. Other medicines may be given to you to help with this problem. This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. May 8, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

2 Write in your Treatment Diary: The amount of diarrhea how many stools The type of stools The number of Imodium AD pills (or other pills prescribed by your doctor for diarrhea) you have taken Daily Bladder-Filling Instructions Because you are receiving radiation therapy to your lower abdomen area (pelvis), it is important to protect your bowels. You can help do this by filling your bladder. When your bladder is full, your bowels are pushed away from the area where you are getting the radiation. Follow these instructions to keep your bladder full of urine for each radiation treatment. It is important to follow these steps: 1. Two hours before your scheduled radiation treatment time go to the bathroom and empty your bladder. 2. Drink 3 to 4 glasses of fluid, (each glass equals 8 ounces or 1 cup). This can be water, juice, soda, tea, coffee, or any other fluid of your choice. 3. At treatment time, your bladder should be full and may be a little uncomfortable. 4. After treatment, empty your bladder of all urine. 5. Repeat this procedure every day before your radiation treatment. Chemotherapy You will be given instructions by your Gynecologic doctor about your chemotherapy treatment. On the days you receive chemotherapy, you will also have radiation therapy. On the other days, you will have radiation therapy only and should go directly to Radiation Oncology. It is very important that you take your medicine for nausea as prescribed for at least four days after your chemotherapy. Drink plenty of fluids and eat well. If you experience nausea and vomiting, tell your Radiation Oncology doctor or nurse.

3 Clothing Wear cotton underwear. Cotton absorbs moisture in the area. Do not wear girdles, pantyhose, or any tight-fitting clothes. They may hold in moisture and rub the area being treated. Bathing Do not take tub baths unless your doctor tells you it is okay. You may sponge bath or shower. Make sure you do not wash off the treatment markings on your skin. Douching Do not douche. Talk to your Radiation Oncology doctor or nurse if you have questions. Sexual Intercourse We encourage you to continue usual sexual activity. The only time you cannot have sex is if you are bleeding heavily or if it is uncomfortable. You are not radioactive. There is no risk to your partner from radioactivity or from the cancer. Bladder Symptoms Tell your Radiation Oncology doctor or nurse if you have any of of the following: Frequent urination Burning during urination Abdominal cramps or diarrhea These problems can be controlled with medicines that your doctor will prescribe. Be cautious of sun exposure during treatment with chemotherapy and radiation Certain chemotherapy medicines can cause severe sunburn when you are exposed to the sun. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (at least SPF 30) if sun exposure cannot be avoided.

4 Questions If you have any questions or concerns, your Radiation Oncology doctors and nurses will be glad to help you at any time. Dr. Phone: Dr. Phone: Dr. Phone:

5 My Treatment Diary Week We would like to know about your side effects to help with your treatment. Please use the table below to record your side effects. Appetite Loss of Appetite Nausea Vomiting Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Bowels Diarrhea How many stools? Medicines you are taking for diarrhea? If so, how much? Bladder Burning Frequency Bleeding Vaginal Bladder Rectum Skin Redness Dryness Soreness Weeping Rash

6 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Mood Crying Loss of energy Tired Smoking How many cigarettes each day?