@snooze53 At 65y/o (at the time), I know which foods make me go and which don’t - prunes and other high-fiber foods will always do it…like clockwork.

There were a few times when the timing wasn’t quite right…..too early…..I simply didn’t go right then; waited until an hour or so later and then went at the planned time.
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So, I emptied my bladder/bowels 45 minutes prior to treatment time, started the 40 minute drive to the radiation center, 10 minutes into the drive drank 18oz of water, arrived at the treatment center 30 minutes later, and had the treatments.

In the weeks leading up to my radiation treatments, I practiced every day. By the time of my first treatment, I had the routine down to a ritual. I never had problems holding that little amount of water. Immediately after each session, then I would use the restroom, change back to my street clothes, drive to the gym for strength-training/cardio, use the restroom again there, and then return home.

There was one occasion when right after I drank the 18 oz of water, there was an accident on the highway and I got stuck in traffic. I simply called the proton center and explained the situation; they said not to worry. If you have to go, we’ll give you more water and treat you later. (As it turned out, the accident cleared up very quickly and I was able to get to the proton center just a few minutes late. Had no problems.)

On one other occasion when immediately after treatment, I didn’t have to go to the restroom at all. So, right after the radiation session, I changed back to my street clothes and started the 40 minute drive home. (That was a big mistake.) About 5 minutes into the drive, I had to go…badly. Fortunately, just a couple of miles up the highway there was a rest stop. I pulled in, used the restroom, and then continued my drive to the gym.

(These are stories I’ll tell my grandchildren about one day…or not.)

Lesson learned: always stick to the plan.

@snooze53

I used Miralax (polyethylene glycol, I think). Every morning in my orange juice. This caused my “solids plumbing” to consistently work each day. Have struggled my entire life in that department. Also took a psyllium pill with each meal. My treatments (5) spread over two weeks were in morning, so I did not eat until after the treatment. Where I did my radiation it was empty rectum (enema one hour, 15 minutes before show up time), and full bladder (16 ounces water one hour before show up time). It was EXACTLY what I did the day I had my CT planning session. I tried to be very consistent with everything. Don’t know if it helped or not.