Radiation Machine Down for Past 3 days

JReed
JReed Member Posts: 428
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Don started his treatment of daily radiation and chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) on Wednesdays. Our chemo doc told us that the workhorse of Don's treatment is the radiation which accounts for about 80% and then chemo is 20% and the chemo is kinda like a booster to the radiation.

Well the radiation machine that Don uses (tomography) has been broken since Wednesday - so this is the third day of no rads.

Has anyone else experienced this and what do they do - add the days to the end or would they do 'makeup' radiation sessions on the weekends? What are the potential issues with this happening, if any?

Also - thanks to all of you pioneers for the advice on the nausea meds - taking them the night of chemo and following through for the next few days seems to have helped with this last chemo treatment. Don is also getting IV fluids starting this week for 2 times a week for hydration - chemo doc made that call Wednesday - so he seems to be proactive in this department, and I was happy that he suggested doing that rather than waiting for Don to ask.

Thanks,
Judy
«1

Comments

  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #2
    Now that really sucks. You
    Now that really sucks. You get mentally geared up and hung-ho and then this. Bummer. A few times they had trouble with mom's rads machine, but it only caused time delays, never a missed treatment.
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    It does suck
    because we are all geared up to get this done, and now its hurry up and wait. This will NOT, however, do any harm in the long run. Routinely, on holidays like XMas and 4th of July, they shut the machines down and we wait until they open again on Monday. They will simply add these days onto the end of treatment.

    Best to you.
  • jim2011
    jim2011 Member Posts: 115
    #4
    longtermsurvivor said:

    It does suck
    because we are all geared up to get this done, and now its hurry up and wait. This will NOT, however, do any harm in the long run. Routinely, on holidays like XMas and 4th of July, they shut the machines down and we wait until they open again on Monday. They will simply add these days onto the end of treatment.

    Best to you.

    add it to the end
    my radiation machine was broken for a couple of days and it was a welcome time off for me and all was added at the end.
    I wish you the best!!
    Jim
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    happened to us too
    Judy, Keith "broke" the machine once and we attributed it to his superhero power. It made me terribly anxious but they can add it in to the protocol. Please remember this is a cumulative process so is the total amount of "gray" or whatever it is called that they get. Still, psychologically it is scary. Even though Don has missed a few days of treatment, the radiation he has in him right now is still working in conjunction with his chemo. But I do understand your concern. When our machine broke, they had it fixed within a day and Keith went back in- but again- it truly is the cumulative dose that matters. You just think though if they have people on call all the time for getting the internet up and running they could get the machine fixed faster than 3 days. But it is truly more the emotionally inconvenience than if he misses a few days. I just hope it's smooth sailing ahead cuz every little thing that doesn't go just right is a source for worry with cancer and a lot of isn't gonna make a difference. And you are correct that in adenocarcinoma the chemotherapy is the sensitizer to help the radiation work better to shrink and kill as much as possible so the surgeon has as little of work to do when the time comes to get rid of that THING! Also, Ericalynn knows a lot about radiology so if you have any specific questions, she is a great resource and very generous with her knowledge.

    Cora
  • bingbing2009
    bingbing2009 Member Posts: 177
    #7
    Holiday Break
    I was undergoing radiation during Thanksgiving of 2009. They took a break and I had radiation on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and didn't have any radiation over the 4-day break, so I only had 4 days that week followed by 4 days off. As far as I know, it created no problems for me.

    Melinda
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #9
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    meds
    a p.s. about the meds. There are newer anti-nausea meds that are given IV on the day of chemo that last about 3 days. If Don isn't getting those, do ask as they make a world of a difference.
    Cora
  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #10
    Cora11 said:

    meds
    a p.s. about the meds. There are newer anti-nausea meds that are given IV on the day of chemo that last about 3 days. If Don isn't getting those, do ask as they make a world of a difference.
    Cora

    For nausea, Bill gets zofran
    For nausea, Bill gets zofran by IV when he is getting chemo. He also has oral anti nausea meds that the nurse said to start taking about 6 hours after he finishes chemo at the hospital. He takes it regularly every 6 hours until about 24 hours after the 48 hour FU pump is disconnects. So far he has not suffered much nausea.
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #11
    My understanding...
    IS that breaks in the radiation are actually needed. Being off of the radiation for a small while (even a week) won't quell the effectiveness. And, I was also given to understand that the radiation has a direct effect on shrinking the tumor, while chemo shrinks the tumor as well as rounds up any suspicious outliers.

    I wasn't given an 80/20, but remember, different oncologists say different things. My feelings are... No worries mate. You'll get the necessary dosage.

    --Jerry
  • forme
    forme Member Posts: 1,161 Member
    #12
    Rads added
    Hi Judy

    That happened to me one day, and they added it at the end. I was away from home in Texas getting tx, and wanted it to be over asap. But things happen. I don't think the machine was broken, but I believe it was being serviced. Something like that.

    Try not to worry.

    I was happy to read that Don is doing better with nausea. Glad that some of the suggestions have helped. Just remember that many nausea meds cause constipation and it is better to prevent it, than to try and treat it after the fact.

    Lisha
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #13
    Radiation machine broken
    They called yesterday and have Don set up for radiation tomorrow (Sunday) but they will call if the machine is not repaired prior to his appointment. Thank you all so much for your responses - very reassuring to say the least - the support you provide is so appreciated.

    Hydration and taking nausea meds seems to be key things for Don as many of you have suggested - our chemo onco seems to be right on top of the latest and somehow he manages to 'read my mind' and know what we'll be asking of him.

    Don's tastebuds are all over the place and smells still bothersome - hearing from all of you on that subject is also reassuring. Seems to be very 'normal' with our EC group.

    Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts. We'll keep you posted as treatment progresses.

    Hugs to all,
    Judy & Don
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #14
    Radiation machine broken
    duplicate
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #15
    Radiation machine broken
    silly site
  • jss2011
    jss2011 Member Posts: 132
    #16
    JReed said:

    Radiation machine broken
    silly site

    back on track
    Hi Judy, hope you are feeling better that the radiation is scheduled now. Hydration is a BIG thing and really helps, too bad my hubby was stubborn with this, I know it would have been easier on him, he just got so sick of being "poked".

    Julie
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #17
    JReed said:

    Radiation machine broken
    They called yesterday and have Don set up for radiation tomorrow (Sunday) but they will call if the machine is not repaired prior to his appointment. Thank you all so much for your responses - very reassuring to say the least - the support you provide is so appreciated.

    Hydration and taking nausea meds seems to be key things for Don as many of you have suggested - our chemo onco seems to be right on top of the latest and somehow he manages to 'read my mind' and know what we'll be asking of him.

    Don's tastebuds are all over the place and smells still bothersome - hearing from all of you on that subject is also reassuring. Seems to be very 'normal' with our EC group.

    Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts. We'll keep you posted as treatment progresses.

    Hugs to all,
    Judy & Don

    Glad to hear things are back on schedule
    Judy,

    I am sure there is somewhere else Don would rather be on Sunday than inside that machine, but each time there is one less time.

    I remember after my second chemo cycle, things started to taste "metallic" to me. I was careful not to eat things I really liked because I had been told that you should avoid things that you really liked because after chemo you would associate the bad taste with those foods. Not sure if it was a good idea but I avoided pizza until after I finished chemo and my "celebration" dinner after I finished treatment was "guess what???"

    Tell Don to hang in there, we are all praying and pulling for him.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #18
    JReed said:

    Radiation machine broken
    silly site

    Glad to hear they are trying
    Glad to hear they are trying to get you rescheduled. You must be so frustrated.
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #19
    JReed said:

    Radiation machine broken
    They called yesterday and have Don set up for radiation tomorrow (Sunday) but they will call if the machine is not repaired prior to his appointment. Thank you all so much for your responses - very reassuring to say the least - the support you provide is so appreciated.

    Hydration and taking nausea meds seems to be key things for Don as many of you have suggested - our chemo onco seems to be right on top of the latest and somehow he manages to 'read my mind' and know what we'll be asking of him.

    Don's tastebuds are all over the place and smells still bothersome - hearing from all of you on that subject is also reassuring. Seems to be very 'normal' with our EC group.

    Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and thoughts. We'll keep you posted as treatment progresses.

    Hugs to all,
    Judy & Don

    Glad to see an update!
    Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Judy.

    Sounds like things are going decent for you two. Glad of that. When Nick got the "go-ahead" for surgery, his surgeon said "don't worry, surgery is easier than treatment". Got to say I agree with him after being beside Nick.

    Here's hopes & prayers that treatment continues to go well and that your oncologist stays on top of things for you.

    Love & Hugs,

    Terry
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #20
    TerryV said:

    Glad to see an update!
    Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Judy.

    Sounds like things are going decent for you two. Glad of that. When Nick got the "go-ahead" for surgery, his surgeon said "don't worry, surgery is easier than treatment". Got to say I agree with him after being beside Nick.

    Here's hopes & prayers that treatment continues to go well and that your oncologist stays on top of things for you.

    Love & Hugs,

    Terry

    Terry! I needed to hear that today
    Thank you and hugs to you Terry!

    Yours is the first time I've heard that surgery is easier than treatment and MAN did I need to hear that today! I did not realize that we have at least three of you going through the surgery at the same time. Jeff, JeffT and Nick - wow - it's good that you all have each other to compare notes with and the other pioneers to check in with too.

    But do keep us not-so-newbies-now posted on your progress. Love to hear from everyone - hope you're taking care of Terry during this time also! ;)

    Love and Hugs,
    Judy
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #21
    JReed said:

    Terry! I needed to hear that today
    Thank you and hugs to you Terry!

    Yours is the first time I've heard that surgery is easier than treatment and MAN did I need to hear that today! I did not realize that we have at least three of you going through the surgery at the same time. Jeff, JeffT and Nick - wow - it's good that you all have each other to compare notes with and the other pioneers to check in with too.

    But do keep us not-so-newbies-now posted on your progress. Love to hear from everyone - hope you're taking care of Terry during this time also! ;)

    Love and Hugs,
    Judy

    Here's our "class" of 8 and Surgery dates
    Bill and Kim (Kateel) - August 28th, I think - Kim recently lost Bill to aspiration
    Luis and Laura (Laura23) - Aug 30th
    Jeff and Niki (NikiMo) - Sept 6th
    Jeff Thomas (JeffT) - Sept 8th
    Nick and Terry - Sept 8th
    John and Erica (EricaLynn) - Sept 9th
    Michael (Hopper52) - Michael sadly didn't make it to surgery. His cancer was more advanced than anyone realized
    Bob Haze (BobHaze) - early Sept

    We were a mix of Stage 1's to Stage 3's. Sadly, I think Michael was actually a Stage 4. I haven't seen much of Jeff Thomas lately. I know he had a rough surgery. Jeff's MIE turned into an Ivor Lewis with an extended hospital stay. But everyone else (other than Michael) had very successful surgeries. and is making a full recovery. Those surgery dates will give you a reference if you want to try and find posts of our "real time" experiences.

    It did help to have a large group going through this together. We all bounced ideas off each other and gauged progress against others that went just before. Sure gave us all a sense of security knowing that someone from the group was just ahead and doing well.

    I know the same will be true for you and Don. Your journey so far sounds much like ours - and I consider that a good thing. Life is 85% back to normal and getting better every day.

    and Yes :) I'm taking good care of me. Behind Nick and behind the littles :) Then me! LOL

    Love & Hugs!

    Terry

Discussion Boards