3rd chemo was last week-and first appt with radiology doc this Tuesday

hopeful girl 1

Well, I had my third chemo a week ago yesterday, and I am scheduled to meet with
my radiology doctor on this Tuesday 6/29. I assume it is to begin talking about the process for the radiation. I am on the sandwich therapy program-3 chemos/25 radiations/3 chemos. I am nervous about the radiation part-although I have heard from some it is easier than the chemo.

What feedback does everyone have?

Also, are the chemos following the radiation segment tougher, or the same as the first three chemos?

Thank you all and I look forward to your thoughts.

Peace and healing to all!

jazzy1

Had same protocol
Here's is my take on how it worked for me.

Radiation is just part of the process....as I told myself. The first appt is more getting the pattern down and cast the mold you'll lay in during radiation. If not mistaken, also did some sorta CT-scan to see what was going on inside my body. Mine showed no cancer!!! That appt lasted approx 1-1/2 hrs, then schedule when they'd start on my radiation. Don't be nervous as just the unknown, but after first radiation treatment you'll see it's quick and easy. Mine took 14 minutes total for each session....in/out fast!!!

When I had the last 3 chemo sessions, my doc noticed my white blood count was lower after the first 3. He wanted to make sure this last 3 wouldn't have any issues with that count, so did the neulasta shot the day after the treatments. I can't say this last 3 was any more difficult, as more than anything I was pumped to get them over with, as the end of my treatments. Only thing I might have had issues with, the fast bowels from radiation was still a concern. By end of my chemo sessions I was back to normal.

Hope this helps and best to you....it's a breeze!!
Jan

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Had same protocol
Here's is my take on how it worked for me.

Radiation is just part of the process....as I told myself. The first appt is more getting the pattern down and cast the mold you'll lay in during radiation. If not mistaken, also did some sorta CT-scan to see what was going on inside my body. Mine showed no cancer!!! That appt lasted approx 1-1/2 hrs, then schedule when they'd start on my radiation. Don't be nervous as just the unknown, but after first radiation treatment you'll see it's quick and easy. Mine took 14 minutes total for each session....in/out fast!!!

When I had the last 3 chemo sessions, my doc noticed my white blood count was lower after the first 3. He wanted to make sure this last 3 wouldn't have any issues with that count, so did the neulasta shot the day after the treatments. I can't say this last 3 was any more difficult, as more than anything I was pumped to get them over with, as the end of my treatments. Only thing I might have had issues with, the fast bowels from radiation was still a concern. By end of my chemo sessions I was back to normal.

Hope this helps and best to you....it's a breeze!!
Jan

That is encouraging.
Maybe I
That is encouraging.
Maybe I should call first and see if I am having a CT scan.
I won't have had my blood work done following the 3rd chemo as that will be done this coming Friday, after the radiology appt. They usually need to test something for kidneys to make sure can do contrast. Was you CT with contrast? I am scared about the CT-I hope that it shows no cancer-since my CA125 number has been dropping so far. I am afraid they will find something. I am a huge worrier!

So you don't feel anything during radiation? What about after? I am afraid of getting pains inside or beams hitting an organ? Or what if I sneeze or shiver and move?

I wonder what my blood tests will show Friday. I am on antibiotics penicillin for that abecessed tooth which they are not allowing me to have root canal on til 7/12. So I hope my white cell count is ok. My doc had commented at last visit that so far my counts haven't dropped to bad during treatments. I know they did make small adjustment on the carboplatin for 3rd chemo because of kidney numbers, but doc didn't say anything to me about it-I had asked the chemo nurse because I noticed number was different on the bag.

Also this third chemo which they did in my hand cause they have trouble getting good veins swelled and bruised pretty bad. I hope it was in ok.

jazzy1

hopeful girl 1 said:

That is encouraging.
Maybe I
That is encouraging.
Maybe I should call first and see if I am having a CT scan.
I won't have had my blood work done following the 3rd chemo as that will be done this coming Friday, after the radiology appt. They usually need to test something for kidneys to make sure can do contrast. Was you CT with contrast? I am scared about the CT-I hope that it shows no cancer-since my CA125 number has been dropping so far. I am afraid they will find something. I am a huge worrier!

So you don't feel anything during radiation? What about after? I am afraid of getting pains inside or beams hitting an organ? Or what if I sneeze or shiver and move?

I wonder what my blood tests will show Friday. I am on antibiotics penicillin for that abecessed tooth which they are not allowing me to have root canal on til 7/12. So I hope my white cell count is ok. My doc had commented at last visit that so far my counts haven't dropped to bad during treatments. I know they did make small adjustment on the carboplatin for 3rd chemo because of kidney numbers, but doc didn't say anything to me about it-I had asked the chemo nurse because I noticed number was different on the bag.

Also this third chemo which they did in my hand cause they have trouble getting good veins swelled and bruised pretty bad. I hope it was in ok.

Be calm
You're getting the cart before the horse as you don't need to worry about everything. Be calm and you know we've all be there and came out just fine.

Mine wasn't a "true" ct-scan, just an xray of sort. No drinking of product before it either.

You'll be fine, so breathe in deep and de-stress. Easy as pie!!!

Jan

((((( hugs )))))

hopeful girl 1

jazzy1 said:

Be calm
You're getting the cart before the horse as you don't need to worry about everything. Be calm and you know we've all be there and came out just fine.

Mine wasn't a "true" ct-scan, just an xray of sort. No drinking of product before it either.

You'll be fine, so breathe in deep and de-stress. Easy as pie!!!

Jan

((((( hugs )))))

Calmness you are right
Jan,
Thank you as always...you are right....I worry enough for the entire boards!
Did they have to do another scan later? How do they determine where to zero in?
Do they later do an MRI and CT?


I have another question, does radiation reduce your immunity and counts alittle less than chemo does?