Any LTS with cancers due to 25 years after total body radiation

wendyleigh27
wendyleigh27 Member Posts: 14
in Long-Term Survivors #1
Hi-

The past 3 years , I have had thyroid cancer & salivary cancer as well as battleing skin cancer all due to the Total Body Radiation I rec in May 1985 for my Leukemia relapsed ALL) during my Bone Marrow Transplant
What a double edged sword - never got leukemia again but so muck more has happenned..

Yes they still do total body radiation for leukemia

would love to talk to others

Comments

  • bluerose
    bluerose Member Posts: 1,104
    #2
    Coming up on 25 years soon
    I had total body rads and a bone marrow transplant (autologus) going on 25 years ago soon and have a ton of side effects they now admit are from the treatments including total body rads.

    Thank God I haven't had any secondary cancers and hope that continues but I have several medical issues that scare me. I had some minor surgery to remove a kidney stone a couple of years back and when I woke up from surgery the surgeon mentioned that all he found was 'scarring that you would NORMALLY see after radiation'. YIKES. That told me clearly that my inside was showing signs of damage and so anything was possible it seemed from here on in. It's scarey.

    I am still being followed for a cyst on an ovary that seems to have disappeared but now the lining of my uterus has thickened for no apparent reason so they are watching that with pelvic ultrasounds every 3 months. I have had other symptoms I don't like and fight chronic pain all the time, most of it all to do with past treatments.

    Sometimes I feel like we are a forgotten part of the whole cancer experience, those who had treatments so long ago and now are suffereing the late effects. It is getting better though, the recognition I mean, but it sure has been an uphill battle being validated for all that has come afterwards.

    I know how you feel.

    One day at a time and try to find your joy in life that you can focus on to help with all those moments of reflection on how the treatment, for us, was only the beginning.

    Blessings,

    Bluerose
  • wendyleigh27
    wendyleigh27 Member Posts: 14
    #3
    bluerose said:

    Coming up on 25 years soon
    I had total body rads and a bone marrow transplant (autologus) going on 25 years ago soon and have a ton of side effects they now admit are from the treatments including total body rads.

    Thank God I haven't had any secondary cancers and hope that continues but I have several medical issues that scare me. I had some minor surgery to remove a kidney stone a couple of years back and when I woke up from surgery the surgeon mentioned that all he found was 'scarring that you would NORMALLY see after radiation'. YIKES. That told me clearly that my inside was showing signs of damage and so anything was possible it seemed from here on in. It's scarey.

    I am still being followed for a cyst on an ovary that seems to have disappeared but now the lining of my uterus has thickened for no apparent reason so they are watching that with pelvic ultrasounds every 3 months. I have had other symptoms I don't like and fight chronic pain all the time, most of it all to do with past treatments.

    Sometimes I feel like we are a forgotten part of the whole cancer experience, those who had treatments so long ago and now are suffereing the late effects. It is getting better though, the recognition I mean, but it sure has been an uphill battle being validated for all that has come afterwards.

    I know how you feel.

    One day at a time and try to find your joy in life that you can focus on to help with all those moments of reflection on how the treatment, for us, was only the beginning.

    Blessings,

    Bluerose

    THANK YOU
    thank you Blue Rose for you inspirational words!!!

    God Bless you- Keep the Faith !!
  • bluerose
    bluerose Member Posts: 1,104
    #4
    wendyleigh27 said:

    THANK YOU
    thank you Blue Rose for you inspirational words!!!

    God Bless you- Keep the Faith !!

    Anytime Wendyleigh
    We all help each other with what we have learned. Take good care and don't hesitate to write if you want to share or have any other topics you need to discuss.

    I have to go for a biopsy of a lymph node in my breast tomorrow and I am a little skeered I must say. I don't have that electrical jolt I usually got when I touched a new lump way back years ago, each time I got that it was cancer but this time when they found the lump in a routine ultrasound it was a surprise of course but I didn't get that jolt so I am hoping it's as benign as they say it looks. It's a needle biopsy, had one years ago and it was a recurrance of my NHL, under the other breast. I guess the location of this node is what bothers me, same as last time. They say that lymph nodes in the breast aren't that common but they do see them there once in awhile and just cause they are there puts you at no greater risk for it to be malignant - whew. Others on here have agreed from experience so I am holding a good thought. Have to keep myself busy today, there is always laundry you know. lol.

    Take good care and talk to you soon.

    Blessings,

    Bluerose

Discussion Boards