My treatment is finished,some questions about Radiation.

JohnnyW
JohnnyW Member Posts: 23
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
I just finished my 6 weeks of radiation and also was disconnected from my last 5FU 96 hour infusion last week.I'm wondering about radiation effects that others have had..It seems like the last week my appetite has gone down to nothing,I'm getting my calories from shakes made from ensure plus and benocalorie and other ingredients..Solid food is tough now as it seems to burn as it passes down my esophagus and I also feel full and bloated all the time..Has anyone else experienced these side effects at the end of radiation..??

John

Comments

  • cjmac49
    cjmac49 Member Posts: 100
    #2
    Questions
    Johnny,

    If your recovery goes as mine did it might be a week or two before the last of the after effects go away. If they seem serious call your onco/radio and ask for advice.

    I had to drink shakes and anything wholesome and cold for about 2.5 weeks after the last rad and 5FU. Then things got easier and I was able to put on some weight before surgery.

    Good luck
    Jim
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #3
    Johnny,
    Glad to hear you are
    Johnny,

    Glad to hear you are finished with your chemo/radiation.

    As to your question about the radiation. My father had great difficulty eating toward the end of the radiation because he said it felt like he had a sunburn on the inside of his espohagous. He because dehydrated and very weak --- and things became complicated even more when his stent fell into his stomach for the second time. They finally gave him a J-tube (in part delayed because he didn't want it) because it was too painful to swallow and they had to get nurtrition in him. He is back to eating pureed and liquid foods and it is less painful. Seems like with most other things time will heal the irritation to the esophagous. Make sure you keep up the fluids and food and if you can't go to the hospital to get IV fluids - especially now as summer is here.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JohnnyW
    JohnnyW Member Posts: 23
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thanks everyone for the
    Thanks everyone for the replies..

    Sherri:Those are the exact same things I'm experiencing,I'm looking forward to eating a big meal soon...


    John
  • mikesmom01
    mikesmom01 Member Posts: 27
    #6
    sounds real familiar
    Hello Johnny,
    What you are describing sounds just like what my son is telling me. His last radiation treatment will be this morning and he's completed 2 rounds of chemo, but will get another one scheduled real soon. I have heard that the last radiation treatments are the most "potent", and that it will produce these kinds of symptoms. I hope you begin to feel better real soon, like many my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
    Martha
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #8
    mikesmom01 said:

    sounds real familiar
    Hello Johnny,
    What you are describing sounds just like what my son is telling me. His last radiation treatment will be this morning and he's completed 2 rounds of chemo, but will get another one scheduled real soon. I have heard that the last radiation treatments are the most "potent", and that it will produce these kinds of symptoms. I hope you begin to feel better real soon, like many my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
    Martha

    Mikesmom
    Where have you
    Mikesmom
    Where have you been? I have been thinking of you and Iansmom. I have not seen any recent updates from you. Glad to see your reply to Johnny today!
    Tina

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