radiation masks

CherieLW

hwt said:

Harder on caregivers

I think this tx can be just as hard for caregivers as it is for those of us going through it. I was told to imagine I was getting a facial when mask was made and that is exactly what it felt like. Radiation treatments only last about 15 minutes and are not painful. It's the side effects that cause problems. I had fatigue and sores on my lips. I started feeling better week 1 post tx and it continued to get better other than a bout with thrush. Week 5 post tx, I really turned the corner and week 6 had all of my energy back. My suggestion is to "take it as it comes and deal with it." Don't worry about side effects that may never happen. I'm confident your Dad will be riding his motorcycle for many years.

Candi  

Thanks so much Candi! I am

Thanks so much Candi! I am grateful for all the encouragement

hwt

CherieLW said:

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to stay positive as my dad began his first trtmnt chem9 this morning.  I couldn't be there as I just x came back to work being off for weeks with broken leg.   going to see him tonite.  Thx for advice is appreciated. 

Cherie

Hopefully your Dad will do well with the chemo. It is very important for him to stay hydrated. Good nutrition and hydration will help him stay strong. Most don't seem to have allot of issues with their 1st chemo. I got dehydrated but a couple of days of stopping in for fluids helped. After that, the ONC cut my dose to half once a week and I didn't have any other problems with the Cisplatin. They have great anti-nausea drugs that really do work. I took them as directed and never once felt nauseated. 

 

TracyLynn72

CherieLW said:

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to stay positive as my dad began his first trtmnt chem9 this morning.  I couldn't be there as I just x came back to work being off for weeks with broken leg.   going to see him tonite.  Thx for advice is appreciated. 

How is your dad?

 

 

Wanted to see how your dad was doing after his first treatment.  Been thinking about y'all today! 

HobbsDoggy

Fatigue and Some Pain

The thing that got to me the most was how tired I got as the radiation progressed.  I was not prepared for that and kept thinking something must be very wrong.  It is normal for many to be so tired that staying in bed becomes a major part of life.  It starts getting better a few weeks after the final radiation, but not right away and energy is slow to come back.  Faster for some than others.

I also was a little slow to take pain medication.  I did start out with fairly weak pain medication and it worked fine, I just should have started sooner.  Was going to be a tough guy, oh ya!

Scarry it sure is, but accepting that it is necessary really helped me.  I wanted to just stop a couple of times.  I kept reading on here how others made it though and that helped.  At the time it seemed like it the side effects would never end, they do/did slowly.  Not all of them so far for me, but the worst is over.

Duggie88

CherieLW said:

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to

Thanks Dale! I'm trying to stay positive as my dad began his first trtmnt chem9 this morning.  I couldn't be there as I just x came back to work being off for weeks with broken leg.   going to see him tonite.  Thx for advice is appreciated. 

Cherie

I still have my mask. I put it in a plastic bag my last day of being zapped March 30, 2010, put it on a shelf in the basement and haven't seen it since. Some day I will go down and pull it out swear a bit and put it back. My radiation treatments consisted of being zapped 13 times at 7 different stations probably lasting about 13 to 15 minutes. Occasionally I would close my eyes and think of one of my grandchildren while it was going on but I always new which station I was at and how many more zappings I had left. I was ready to give up after day 3 a Friday but Monday morning I drove the 148 mile roundtrip and vowed there was no way cancer was going to control or intimidate me. Like I do so many times on this site I humored my way throuh it.

Your Dad will find what works for him and if he needs help that is were we come in.

      Jeff

CherieLW

TracyLynn72 said:

How is your dad?

 

 

Wanted to see how your dad was doing after his first treatment.  Been thinking about y'all today! 

So far so good

Thanks Tracy!  Dad did really well, it went a lot better than I expected.  Even with everyones advice, it was still a little scary not knowing how he would react.  He hasn't felt naseaus or tired yet (although I know this is just the beginning).  After 6 hours of trtment yesterday he went to the new house to do some work.  Today he is out and about again!  I hope he keeps up staying busy as much as he can.  He's one tough guy! 

Using everyones advice and counting down!

1 chemo down, 2 to go

35 rads to go

One day at a time, with all your support I'm trying to stay as positive as I can!! Thanks!!  How is everyone else feeling today?  I hope well 

CherieLW

Duggie88 said:

Cherie

I still have my mask. I put it in a plastic bag my last day of being zapped March 30, 2010, put it on a shelf in the basement and haven't seen it since. Some day I will go down and pull it out swear a bit and put it back. My radiation treatments consisted of being zapped 13 times at 7 different stations probably lasting about 13 to 15 minutes. Occasionally I would close my eyes and think of one of my grandchildren while it was going on but I always new which station I was at and how many more zappings I had left. I was ready to give up after day 3 a Friday but Monday morning I drove the 148 mile roundtrip and vowed there was no way cancer was going to control or intimidate me. Like I do so many times on this site I humored my way throuh it.

Your Dad will find what works for him and if he needs help that is were we come in.

      Jeff

Break that mask!

Jeff,

Maybe one day you will break it.  I hope so.  Hope none of you ever have to experience it again. Dad has 35 rads, which I feel like is A LOT, but we will make it through it...  one day at a time.  Humor does help! I had dad over Saturday after we all went out to eat and we watched Horrible Bosses (a comedy) it was good to see him smiling! Now to stay doing well... I am positive my dad won't give up as much as he may want to.  His doc told him don't stop.  He knows that this is necessary. Thanks for the encouragement again!

CherieLW

HobbsDoggy said:

Fatigue and Some Pain

The thing that got to me the most was how tired I got as the radiation progressed.  I was not prepared for that and kept thinking something must be very wrong.  It is normal for many to be so tired that staying in bed becomes a major part of life.  It starts getting better a few weeks after the final radiation, but not right away and energy is slow to come back.  Faster for some than others.

I also was a little slow to take pain medication.  I did start out with fairly weak pain medication and it worked fine, I just should have started sooner.  Was going to be a tough guy, oh ya!

Scarry it sure is, but accepting that it is necessary really helped me.  I wanted to just stop a couple of times.  I kept reading on here how others made it though and that helped.  At the time it seemed like it the side effects would never end, they do/did slowly.  Not all of them so far for me, but the worst is over.

HobbsDoggy

I'm trying to prepare myself for seeing some of these side effects.  My dad is one of those also- tough guys!   For the past few years I've been subscribed to St. Judes website on facebook...somehow knowing if children can make it through this- I am trying to remain positive that everyone can!  So glad you pushed yourself through completing them.  Glad for you the worst is over!  I can't wait until I can say that about dad!

TracyLynn72

CherieLW said:

So far so good

Thanks Tracy!  Dad did really well, it went a lot better than I expected.  Even with everyones advice, it was still a little scary not knowing how he would react.  He hasn't felt naseaus or tired yet (although I know this is just the beginning).  After 6 hours of trtment yesterday he went to the new house to do some work.  Today he is out and about again!  I hope he keeps up staying busy as much as he can.  He's one tough guy! 

Using everyones advice and counting down!

1 chemo down, 2 to go

35 rads to go

One day at a time, with all your support I'm trying to stay as positive as I can!! Thanks!!  How is everyone else feeling today?  I hope well 

Yay!

Get that countdown going and it'll be over before you know it.  My mom kept telling me "look at how fast time goes by...hang in there and it'll be over soon"  and she was right. It seems like I just started my treatments...scared and with tears in my eyes, now after today I'm down to single digits!  That's good he's tough, he'll make it through!!  Staying busy was also good for me, it kept my mind occupied, just make sure he rests when he needs to.  I'm a bit stubborn about that and ended up in bed for a couple of days!  

 

Tell him we're all pulling for him (and you!) 

CherieLW

TracyLynn72 said:

Yay!

Get that countdown going and it'll be over before you know it.  My mom kept telling me "look at how fast time goes by...hang in there and it'll be over soon"  and she was right. It seems like I just started my treatments...scared and with tears in my eyes, now after today I'm down to single digits!  That's good he's tough, he'll make it through!!  Staying busy was also good for me, it kept my mind occupied, just make sure he rests when he needs to.  I'm a bit stubborn about that and ended up in bed for a couple of days!  

 

Tell him we're all pulling for him (and you!) 

Tracy, thanks again! How much

Tracy, thanks again! How much longer are you still doing treatment?  Thank god is almost over! I hope things are getting better for you.  Thinking and praying for you.