Radiation
Comments
-
Treatment
Hi Lloyd,
In answer to some of your questions, here is what my experience was. Radiation does not hurt when it is being administered. They last 10 to 15 minutes. Everyone is different as to how rads will affect them. For me it was not too bad at all. For some it burns the skin inside and outside. My burns were minimal. The tonsillectomy I had hurt worse than anything else I had done. I also had weekly Cisplatin and 5FU. I had severe nausea and vomiting the seventh week and was in the hospital for 2 days. Other than that everything went pretty smooth for me with chemo. I was stage 4 right tonsil with mets to lymph nodes. I am 3 months out of treatment and I am returning to work tomorrow. Hope this helps a little. Remember, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!. Stay positive and keep posting here.
Best,
Steve0 -
Finz...
Hey Finz, it's me the MCAS CherryPoint guy....(way back when).
Anyways like Steve mentioned, the rads only last about 10 - 15 minutes each time (other than Monday for me. That day they shot a few X-Rays, but that only added another 5 minutes tops). I also had no reactions at the time, late in the day maybe a little dryness and irritation.
The tonsils coming out was probably the most pain for me as well. I mean it's tough with the rads, especially starting around the 3 - 4th week, and a few weeks post radiation. I had some burning on the neck, but it was more like a severe sunburn with discoloration and peeling.
I had seven weeks of Carboplaten during my rads. Before that though I had nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplaten, Taxotere and 5FU (also via a pump).
I didn't really have any reactions or sickness during the concurrent Carbo/Rads. Other than from the Amifostine daily injections, and that didn't start until about round 30 of the rads.
You can handle it, good luck and stay posting....
John0 -
RadsSkiffin16 said:Finz...
Hey Finz, it's me the MCAS CherryPoint guy....(way back when).
Anyways like Steve mentioned, the rads only last about 10 - 15 minutes each time (other than Monday for me. That day they shot a few X-Rays, but that only added another 5 minutes tops). I also had no reactions at the time, late in the day maybe a little dryness and irritation.
The tonsils coming out was probably the most pain for me as well. I mean it's tough with the rads, especially starting around the 3 - 4th week, and a few weeks post radiation. I had some burning on the neck, but it was more like a severe sunburn with discoloration and peeling.
I had seven weeks of Carboplaten during my rads. Before that though I had nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplaten, Taxotere and 5FU (also via a pump).
I didn't really have any reactions or sickness during the concurrent Carbo/Rads. Other than from the Amifostine daily injections, and that didn't start until about round 30 of the rads.
You can handle it, good luck and stay posting....
John
Thank you guys. My Doctor tells me he has not seen anybody as ready for the treatments as me. The sooner that I start, then the sooner I am done. I am ready to go---starts on July 13, 2010. I am gonna beat this sucker. The thing that amazes me so much is the empathy that everyone shows towards me, it has totally restored my faith in humanity and compassion. If anything I have reagained that bit of confidence in myself, and ourselfs. I am so happy to have found that. It just reinforces the fact that there is a God to me. Skiffin, I really enjoy your posts, because you are so honest and when I read your post, then I know what to look forward to experiencing. My brother in law has a shooting range, and we are gonna tear up that Rad mask when I am done. I cant wait, and thank you guys again. LLoyd0 -
Rads not so badfinz2lft said:Rads
Thank you guys. My Doctor tells me he has not seen anybody as ready for the treatments as me. The sooner that I start, then the sooner I am done. I am ready to go---starts on July 13, 2010. I am gonna beat this sucker. The thing that amazes me so much is the empathy that everyone shows towards me, it has totally restored my faith in humanity and compassion. If anything I have reagained that bit of confidence in myself, and ourselfs. I am so happy to have found that. It just reinforces the fact that there is a God to me. Skiffin, I really enjoy your posts, because you are so honest and when I read your post, then I know what to look forward to experiencing. My brother in law has a shooting range, and we are gonna tear up that Rad mask when I am done. I cant wait, and thank you guys again. LLoyd
Like above maybe 15 minutes in length. Just need to find the place in your head to go for that time. As mentioned before, I also used some visualization during this time imagining the cancer cells dying horrific gruesome deaths under the onslaught of the radiation, urging the machine to "get'em". Very satisfying to say the least. Skin like a bad sunburn especially areas that they used more often to get the beam to the tumor. Green aloe sunburn gel with lidocaine for me. Sting like hell on application but then much relief. Good luck.
Mike0 -
Rads for MeLandranger25 said:Rads not so bad
Like above maybe 15 minutes in length. Just need to find the place in your head to go for that time. As mentioned before, I also used some visualization during this time imagining the cancer cells dying horrific gruesome deaths under the onslaught of the radiation, urging the machine to "get'em". Very satisfying to say the least. Skin like a bad sunburn especially areas that they used more often to get the beam to the tumor. Green aloe sunburn gel with lidocaine for me. Sting like hell on application but then much relief. Good luck.
Mike
Finz
Rads for me weren't too bad I guess. I couldn't tell you how long mine lasted because I was asleep most of the time. LOL I had a little worse than sunburn, I had closer to second degree burns. The aquaphor helped a little, I had twice daily concurrent chemo/rad for 5 alternating weeks, and wasn't able to use it as much as I wanted to. The hospital also had some sort of cooling type bandage that they kept in the freezer before applying it. Talk about heaven LOL
As things progressed I also had Domeboro soaks to help take away the dead skin. Good Luck and Hope this helps. Wishes & Prayers
Dave0 -
Radiation Timefinz2lft said:Rads
Thank you guys. My Doctor tells me he has not seen anybody as ready for the treatments as me. The sooner that I start, then the sooner I am done. I am ready to go---starts on July 13, 2010. I am gonna beat this sucker. The thing that amazes me so much is the empathy that everyone shows towards me, it has totally restored my faith in humanity and compassion. If anything I have reagained that bit of confidence in myself, and ourselfs. I am so happy to have found that. It just reinforces the fact that there is a God to me. Skiffin, I really enjoy your posts, because you are so honest and when I read your post, then I know what to look forward to experiencing. My brother in law has a shooting range, and we are gonna tear up that Rad mask when I am done. I cant wait, and thank you guys again. LLoyd
Lloyd, during the radiation they usually have a CD and either let you bring in your own CD or listen to theirs. I had a James Taylor CD that I listened to each day. It kind of set the time for me as well initially. I knew each song was 4 - 5 minutes, so starting somewhere around the fourth song, I was finished. You'll quickly learn the positioning of the machine and each cycle by heart, trust me on this...LOL.
They would also offer a warm sheet, but I usually didn't use that. I wore shorts and slip off Sperry's with a tank top. They would have me slip of the tank top each day.
Then they'd strap you in, bolt you up and turn the lights down. Most of the time, they'd already have my CD going for me.
I did need a little Xanax initially, but that only lasted for the first week. After that I was used to the routine...
Good Luck, God Bless
John0 -
Me tooSkiffin16 said:Radiation Time
Lloyd, during the radiation they usually have a CD and either let you bring in your own CD or listen to theirs. I had a James Taylor CD that I listened to each day. It kind of set the time for me as well initially. I knew each song was 4 - 5 minutes, so starting somewhere around the fourth song, I was finished. You'll quickly learn the positioning of the machine and each cycle by heart, trust me on this...LOL.
They would also offer a warm sheet, but I usually didn't use that. I wore shorts and slip off Sperry's with a tank top. They would have me slip of the tank top each day.
Then they'd strap you in, bolt you up and turn the lights down. Most of the time, they'd already have my CD going for me.
I did need a little Xanax initially, but that only lasted for the first week. After that I was used to the routine...
Good Luck, God Bless
John
I also used Xanax before the rads- 1/2-tab/session. Helped me a lot. Tried the Morph, but that was a bit much. Unlike John, it was the 1/2-tab to the end, for me.
As for how long it takes- depends a lot on how many places you're gonna get zapped, Lloyd. For me, they did the Xray thing on Fridays. Might wanna carry a dish with you- to spit into when the session is done, as I did. For me- no music (didn't know I could've had such), and I counted the number of zappings to keep tabs on the status of the session.
Hope this helps
kcass0 -
Back to Workstevenl said:Treatment
Hi Lloyd,
In answer to some of your questions, here is what my experience was. Radiation does not hurt when it is being administered. They last 10 to 15 minutes. Everyone is different as to how rads will affect them. For me it was not too bad at all. For some it burns the skin inside and outside. My burns were minimal. The tonsillectomy I had hurt worse than anything else I had done. I also had weekly Cisplatin and 5FU. I had severe nausea and vomiting the seventh week and was in the hospital for 2 days. Other than that everything went pretty smooth for me with chemo. I was stage 4 right tonsil with mets to lymph nodes. I am 3 months out of treatment and I am returning to work tomorrow. Hope this helps a little. Remember, YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!. Stay positive and keep posting here.
Best,
Steve
Congrats, Steve. Back to work sounds great. I remember when we were the ones wondering what was coming up (finished tx mid March).
Do well.0 -
Great Attitude
Lloyd,
You seem to be positive, and going full-tilt, head-on. Great.
I had my radiation to the right side, base of tongue and two right side lymph nodes (with weekly Cisplatin, like you). For me, having the mask made was worse than the rad sessions. I never felt any "additional" pain during rads sessions. There were only a few times that I thought my pain during treatment matched my tonsillectomy pain. My burns were not bad - like a sunburn except in a couple places that opened up, but they weren't too bad. Docs changed my topical when they felt the need, and cool, moist cloths really felt nice. Memory's fading. but I think it was three weeks before I experienced any radiation side effects. Are you taking Amiphostine? It was week three when I started having reactions to my injections (had to quit midway). A couple of days, I did feel queasy after treatment - both days, I was behind on my nutrition and water intake.
Do you have a PEG? I got mine during induction chemo, a month before radiation started. I will say that after I got the PEG, I unconsciously let my posture go very wrong (sitting hunched over during the day, laying down with my upper body propped up at night), so when I had the mask made, it was very uncomfortable for my back (laying flat on the table). I worked on my positioning in bed and my sitting posture, and the back was not an issue by the time rads started.
Hoping for the best for you,
Pam0 -
PEG and posturePam M said:Great Attitude
Lloyd,
You seem to be positive, and going full-tilt, head-on. Great.
I had my radiation to the right side, base of tongue and two right side lymph nodes (with weekly Cisplatin, like you). For me, having the mask made was worse than the rad sessions. I never felt any "additional" pain during rads sessions. There were only a few times that I thought my pain during treatment matched my tonsillectomy pain. My burns were not bad - like a sunburn except in a couple places that opened up, but they weren't too bad. Docs changed my topical when they felt the need, and cool, moist cloths really felt nice. Memory's fading. but I think it was three weeks before I experienced any radiation side effects. Are you taking Amiphostine? It was week three when I started having reactions to my injections (had to quit midway). A couple of days, I did feel queasy after treatment - both days, I was behind on my nutrition and water intake.
Do you have a PEG? I got mine during induction chemo, a month before radiation started. I will say that after I got the PEG, I unconsciously let my posture go very wrong (sitting hunched over during the day, laying down with my upper body propped up at night), so when I had the mask made, it was very uncomfortable for my back (laying flat on the table). I worked on my positioning in bed and my sitting posture, and the back was not an issue by the time rads started.
Hoping for the best for you,
Pam
Pam,
I also developed the hunched-over posture after I had my PEG installed. It was almost impossible for me to not hunch up during treatment, I'm assuming because I was so afraid of bumping or otherwise hurting my PEG site. Also, I was very aware of the sensation of having my poor stomach firmly tethered to my outsides, which was weird. Didn't want to stretch out at all.
I notice that now the PEG is removed, I'm not hunching any more. Yay!
Deb0 -
Glad you're not a Hunch-Back, DebD Lewis said:PEG and posture
Pam,
I also developed the hunched-over posture after I had my PEG installed. It was almost impossible for me to not hunch up during treatment, I'm assuming because I was so afraid of bumping or otherwise hurting my PEG site. Also, I was very aware of the sensation of having my poor stomach firmly tethered to my outsides, which was weird. Didn't want to stretch out at all.
I notice that now the PEG is removed, I'm not hunching any more. Yay!
Deb
I'm waiting for my doc to give me the OK to get PEG yanked (sure he'll call tomorrow). Along with the hunching, I stopped all exercising when I got my PEG. This weekend in the pool was the first time since Christmas Eve that I consciously did any movement to work my middle (surprisingly, it felt good).0 -
PEG YankPam M said:Glad you're not a Hunch-Back, Deb
I'm waiting for my doc to give me the OK to get PEG yanked (sure he'll call tomorrow). Along with the hunching, I stopped all exercising when I got my PEG. This weekend in the pool was the first time since Christmas Eve that I consciously did any movement to work my middle (surprisingly, it felt good).
And YANK it they do! But it is a good yankin...
Swimming again has been a real blessing for me as well.0 -
yep...Skiffin16 said:Radiation Time
Lloyd, during the radiation they usually have a CD and either let you bring in your own CD or listen to theirs. I had a James Taylor CD that I listened to each day. It kind of set the time for me as well initially. I knew each song was 4 - 5 minutes, so starting somewhere around the fourth song, I was finished. You'll quickly learn the positioning of the machine and each cycle by heart, trust me on this...LOL.
They would also offer a warm sheet, but I usually didn't use that. I wore shorts and slip off Sperry's with a tank top. They would have me slip of the tank top each day.
Then they'd strap you in, bolt you up and turn the lights down. Most of the time, they'd already have my CD going for me.
I did need a little Xanax initially, but that only lasted for the first week. After that I was used to the routine...
Good Luck, God Bless
John
That's what it's like.
I just listened to whatever CD the lab techs had in each day.
From now on I will always associate "Sweet Caroline" and "Forever in Blue Jeans" with that mask...
david0 -
Same with Me...davidgskinner said:yep...
That's what it's like.
I just listened to whatever CD the lab techs had in each day.
From now on I will always associate "Sweet Caroline" and "Forever in Blue Jeans" with that mask...
david
I haven't listened to that CD since the last session....it would probably make me sick if I did, LOL....0 -
Radiation
Hi Lloyd. I also believe that God led me here as I was having a very stressful morning. I start my chemo and radiation on 7/12 and will be having chemo (Cisplatin) so it sounds like we are having a smilar course. I pray that God will surround you with his loving arms and shield you and protect you. God Bless, Vivi0 -
Hi Vivi CVivi C said:Radiation
Hi Lloyd. I also believe that God led me here as I was having a very stressful morning. I start my chemo and radiation on 7/12 and will be having chemo (Cisplatin) so it sounds like we are having a smilar course. I pray that God will surround you with his loving arms and shield you and protect you. God Bless, Vivi
Hi, Vivi C
Welcome to the forum. I had radiation and cisplatin for base of tongue SCC with mets to my lymph nodes. What are you being treated for? Do you have questions or concerns?
Good luck. You will make it through the treatments.
Deb0 -
Radiation/ChemoPam M said:Great Attitude
Lloyd,
You seem to be positive, and going full-tilt, head-on. Great.
I had my radiation to the right side, base of tongue and two right side lymph nodes (with weekly Cisplatin, like you). For me, having the mask made was worse than the rad sessions. I never felt any "additional" pain during rads sessions. There were only a few times that I thought my pain during treatment matched my tonsillectomy pain. My burns were not bad - like a sunburn except in a couple places that opened up, but they weren't too bad. Docs changed my topical when they felt the need, and cool, moist cloths really felt nice. Memory's fading. but I think it was three weeks before I experienced any radiation side effects. Are you taking Amiphostine? It was week three when I started having reactions to my injections (had to quit midway). A couple of days, I did feel queasy after treatment - both days, I was behind on my nutrition and water intake.
Do you have a PEG? I got mine during induction chemo, a month before radiation started. I will say that after I got the PEG, I unconsciously let my posture go very wrong (sitting hunched over during the day, laying down with my upper body propped up at night), so when I had the mask made, it was very uncomfortable for my back (laying flat on the table). I worked on my positioning in bed and my sitting posture, and the back was not an issue by the time rads started.
Hoping for the best for you,
Pam
I am so glad to find a woman that is going through this. I've talked to men and their experiences were so so awful that I did not want to talk to anyone else. I have squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue (left side) and one lymph node is also affected per the PET Scan. I start radiation and chemo (Cisplatin) on Monday 7/12. Can you tell me a little bit about your experience? I would really appreciate. I am so terribly scared. Also do you know anything about a drug called Amifostine that protects the salivary glands during radiation treatment and also the kidneys from the the cisplatin. Thanks Pam and may God Bles you and keep you healthy and strong.
Vivi
I am also getting a G-tube in 2 days. Is that the same as a PEG?0 -
Hi Deb, I have squamousD Lewis said:Hi Vivi C
Hi, Vivi C
Welcome to the forum. I had radiation and cisplatin for base of tongue SCC with mets to my lymph nodes. What are you being treated for? Do you have questions or concerns?
Good luck. You will make it through the treatments.
Deb
Hi Deb, I have squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue (tumor is approximately 2 cm) and PET scan showed one lymph node affected too. I have tons of questions and tons of concerns. May I ask you where you were treated and how old you are and if you can tell me a little about what to expect and just how painful it was? Thanks Deb0 -
Piece of cakeVivi C said:Hi Deb, I have squamous
Hi Deb, I have squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue (tumor is approximately 2 cm) and PET scan showed one lymph node affected too. I have tons of questions and tons of concerns. May I ask you where you were treated and how old you are and if you can tell me a little about what to expect and just how painful it was? Thanks Deb
Hi Again, Vivi;
I'm going to "friend" you and send you a personal email message. Then you can answer back with more specific questions and they won't get buried in these message threads. I have SCC right base of tongue, which was discovered because I had a 3-cm lymph node on the right side that persisted for four months. Took it to an ENT who had it needle-biopsied, and then removed it. It was cancerous. A PET-CT showed the mets to lymph nodes on both sides.
I'm in central California. I did a Tumor Board at Stanford Cancer Center, but got all my treatment at the Sonora Regional Medical Center in the Sierra foothills. Stanford is doing the follow up for me. I finished my last radiation on May 12th, so its been almost 8 weeks now, I think.
Yes, the PEG is the same thing as a G-tube. They have many names. Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastric something-or-other. Got one mid way through, installation was quick and painless, and it is very easy to use.
Deb0 -
Piece of cakeVivi C said:Hi Deb, I have squamous
Hi Deb, I have squamous cell carcinoma at the base of my tongue (tumor is approximately 2 cm) and PET scan showed one lymph node affected too. I have tons of questions and tons of concerns. May I ask you where you were treated and how old you are and if you can tell me a little about what to expect and just how painful it was? Thanks Deb
Arrgh. Double post. I swear I didn't hit the button twice.
Deb0
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