First day rad

Hi Jackie,

Glad  you made it through the first day as you now know the drill for the next seven or so weeks, it is exactly the same, except maybe once a week you get a few more minutes while they run an extra alignment test, no big deal.

Now - the key to making it through this is three simple things. 

HYDRATION - NUTRITION - PAIN MANAGEMENT

It really is as simple as that. You keep these three areas covered and you will survive and come out the other end. 

Enjoy the free ride now. Things will start feeling worse in about 10 days and just hurt and become harder but you will get through it, everyone does.

Best of luck, don

JF22,

 Very good, first doodle complete, more of the same ahead.

I wondered about getting sick during treatments, but never did.  I hope you dodge that bullet too.

Listen to what others have said, this ride can get rough.  Work with your body to figure out what works for you, things may not be straight up normal for a bit.

Best always,

Matt

jackflash22 said:

good advice taken on board

I've taken all your good advice on board and will do the three vital things..hydration, nutrition and pain control and another one someone said ..give in to fatigue dont fight it. I had a new treatment list given to me today with the dates and times every day mon to fri around 10.20 which gives me the afternoons at home and the treatment has an extra 3 initials that I don't understand  HNR IMRT. I've started up with a runny nose tonight guess I'm getting 'him indoors's cold' I've moved into the spare bedroom for the duration of the cold but already been in contact with the build up of the germs. I will just have to go along with it, I have flu jabs every year and dont get bad colds like he does, he's a smoker and wont go to a doctor for anything, let alone a flu shot.  It  goes to his head and  chest.  I'm nursing him now as he was 'waiting' on me hand and foot when I had my surgery. Roles reversed. I have my daughter with us for 4 days, she was my standby if the transport didn't turn up, she will be here the last 2 weeks also and said she can get time off work if needed. I'm hoping to cope myself, all you out there have coped and still worked (many of you) and driven yourselves miles for treatment.  I don't have to go far about 28 miles round trip, don't drive myself as I sedate before going in for the 'mask'.

Head/Neck Radiatrion? 

I hate to be a party pooper (after all, until I was 30 something, "party" was my middle name)....but I've got to say something about your man's smoking.  I'm hoping that he's decided that smoking outside is the only place to do it, and you're not breathing it in.  Many oral cancers come from smoking.....and I don't know what the odds are with second hand smoke....but imagine they are higher than being around no smoke.  My husband quit smoking within 2 weeks of me being diagnosed (I'd quit 3 years prior to that), but I'm sure my smoking had a lot to do with my cancer. 

You asked in a post earlier if the ecigs work to quit.....yes they do!!  For one thing, they only have 3 ingredients...not 1003 ingredients like processed tobacco....when I went to ecigs I noticed only a slight withdrawal, over in two days....they still have nicotine, but in and of itself, it's not nearly as addicting as whatever they put into tobacco.  I started out at a high nicotine level, and weaned myself off slowly....started at 36 mgs.....moved down to 24 mgs....then 18.....then 12......then 8.....then 0 mgs.  Also started out having a portable one I used in the car, or when I was out and about with friends.....plus one plugged into my computer....the portable one I said goodbye to early on.....and then the only time I even puffed on it was at the computer.  No matter what tho....his blowing vapor in the house is far healthier for you than smoke...(and it's healthier for him, too!!).

p 

phrannie51 said:

Only a guess on the "HNR"...

Head/Neck Radiatrion? 

I hate to be a party pooper (after all, until I was 30 something, "party" was my middle name)....but I've got to say something about your man's smoking.  I'm hoping that he's decided that smoking outside is the only place to do it, and you're not breathing it in.  Many oral cancers come from smoking.....and I don't know what the odds are with second hand smoke....but imagine they are higher than being around no smoke.  My husband quit smoking within 2 weeks of me being diagnosed (I'd quit 3 years prior to that), but I'm sure my smoking had a lot to do with my cancer. 

You asked in a post earlier if the ecigs work to quit.....yes they do!!  For one thing, they only have 3 ingredients...not 1003 ingredients like processed tobacco....when I went to ecigs I noticed only a slight withdrawal, over in two days....they still have nicotine, but in and of itself, it's not nearly as addicting as whatever they put into tobacco.  I started out at a high nicotine level, and weaned myself off slowly....started at 36 mgs.....moved down to 24 mgs....then 18.....then 12......then 8.....then 0 mgs.  Also started out having a portable one I used in the car, or when I was out and about with friends.....plus one plugged into my computer....the portable one I said goodbye to early on.....and then the only time I even puffed on it was at the computer.  No matter what tho....his blowing vapor in the house is far healthier for you than smoke...(and it's healthier for him, too!!).

p 

See what happens and why we say not to Google stuff...

The only thing I found readily and medically related to HNR was Human Normal Rectum...., LOL. 

So my presumption is that what I found was not related to her IMRT protocul..., and that's the "END" of my searching for HNR IMRT...

JG

jackflash22 said:

good advice taken on board

I've taken all your good advice on board and will do the three vital things..hydration, nutrition and pain control and another one someone said ..give in to fatigue dont fight it. I had a new treatment list given to me today with the dates and times every day mon to fri around 10.20 which gives me the afternoons at home and the treatment has an extra 3 initials that I don't understand  HNR IMRT. I've started up with a runny nose tonight guess I'm getting 'him indoors's cold' I've moved into the spare bedroom for the duration of the cold but already been in contact with the build up of the germs. I will just have to go along with it, I have flu jabs every year and dont get bad colds like he does, he's a smoker and wont go to a doctor for anything, let alone a flu shot.  It  goes to his head and  chest.  I'm nursing him now as he was 'waiting' on me hand and foot when I had my surgery. Roles reversed. I have my daughter with us for 4 days, she was my standby if the transport didn't turn up, she will be here the last 2 weeks also and said she can get time off work if needed. I'm hoping to cope myself, all you out there have coped and still worked (many of you) and driven yourselves miles for treatment.  I don't have to go far about 28 miles round trip, don't drive myself as I sedate before going in for the 'mask'.

Hi,

Most folks thing that when treatment ends, they will start feeling better and have less side effects. Radiation is a treatment that keeps on working and the accumulated effect generally has folks feeling the worst 3-4 weeks once daily rads stop. Just keep this in mind when it comes to planning for when you think you need to most help. don