Treatment with SBRT - Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy started
Comments
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Well done, Ro!Ro10 said:I completed my 10 SBRT treatments
They all went well. No pain, no side effects. It will be three months before we know whether it took care of the lymph node. I thought the node would shrink or get smaller, but it will always be there. It just won't grow anymore. I thought the concept of "cyber knife" would be like removing the node.
i do have a sinus infection and cough, so laying flat onthe table was a problem onMonday. I had to cough several times,but not when the radiation treatment was being delivered. My cough is better, but I still have it. I started antibiotics on Monday. I am tired, but coughing has kept me up at night. And the cough syrup with codeine makes me tired, too.
So they destroyed my mold after the last treatment. Now I will have a CAT scan every three months until results are seen. I will not follow up with this radiation onocologist, but just send him CAT scan results. He said several times that I am "different" and CA-125 has always been a true marker for me, so that is what to follow.
Thanks for all the thoughts and comments as we wait for results. Hope you are all doing well.
Well done, Ro! You're through it - no more molds or lying still without coughing (I have a cough at the moment, so understand that one!). It's such a long time to wait to know the results but hopefully you will continue to feel well and can divert yourself with other activities (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all coming up).
Sending good vibes
Helen xx0 -
Ro, thinking about youHellieC said:Well done, Ro!
Well done, Ro! You're through it - no more molds or lying still without coughing (I have a cough at the moment, so understand that one!). It's such a long time to wait to know the results but hopefully you will continue to feel well and can divert yourself with other activities (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all coming up).
Sending good vibes
Helen xxRo,
You are finished with your treatment! That is reason enough to celebrate! Thank you for keeping us informed of your treatment, Ro. Since this is not typical treatment for uterine cancer, did you have trouble getting your insurance company to pay for it?
Warm Regard,
Cathy
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Went to my medical onocologist todayAbbycat2 said:Ro, thinking about you
Ro,
You are finished with your treatment! That is reason enough to celebrate! Thank you for keeping us informed of your treatment, Ro. Since this is not typical treatment for uterine cancer, did you have trouble getting your insurance company to pay for it?
Warm Regard,
Cathy
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
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Wow! Done already.Ro10 said:Went to my medical onocologist today
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
I'm so glad this part is behind you, Ro and hope that it did its job. Radiation is mysterious and scarey stuff, isn't it? I, too, thought the node would just shrivel up and go away. Afterall, they do call this cyber "knife", don't they? When will you get results of CA 125 and did they tell you anything about how this might effect it at this time? I don't know if I hope the cough is from the radiation or if you've got a sinus thing going on, but it is coincidental with the radiation, isn't it? I do hope it resolves quickly and you can get on with heading for the sunshine and feeling good.
Suzanne
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Hey RoRo10 said:Went to my medical onocologist today
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
As Suzanne says, I am glad this part of it is behind you now. I hope your cough issues dissipates quickly and you can get some good sleep in. Not sleeping well at night will definitely cause daytime fatigue. Just want you to know I am continuing to keep you in my prayers. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Kathy
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Glad it's overRo10 said:Went to my medical onocologist today
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
Ro, once you get to Florida and can sit in the warm sunshine you will get better, plus the codeine cough syrup works wonders. I'm glad your finished with that radiiation and didn't hve too many side effects.
my best to you,
love, Irene
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Hope the cough is easing, RoRo10 said:Went to my medical onocologist today
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
I hope your cough is easing, Ro. It's difficult to know if it's an infection or the radiotherapy effects, isn't it? Perhaps it is a combination. But hopefully the new codeine linctus will help. The tiredness could also be a combination effect, but I hope you can get back to your bed, rather than the recliner, soon, so you can get a better night's sleep.
I am off for my last treatment, and a chat with the specialist, today. I am assuming that I will then start the waiting game too, with an MRI scan probably in 3 months. CA125 isn't a marker for me, so scans are the only way to see what is happening.
Wishing you well and hoping that the Florida sunshine brings restorative effects to you.
Kindest wishes
Helen x0 -
Dry airwayRo10 said:Went to my medical onocologist today
I told him about my sinus infection and cough. I asked for some thing for my cough at nighttime. He said he thought my cough was from the radiation therapy. He mentioned "radiation flare" that would make the inside like a sunburn. Since the lymph node was right next to the trachea, he feels the cough is a side effect of the radiation. He also asked if my prescription for codeine cough syrup was "old"? i told him it was from 11/13. He said codeine loses its potency. So he gave me a new prescription. If this does not work, he will try something else.
The antibiotic has taken care of the infection. My drainage is clear now. I am fatigued, but I attribute that to not getting a good night's sleep due to coughing. The doctor said I can expect the irritation from the " radiation flare" for about 2 weeks after the last treatment. That means another week of this coughing. I don't understand if the cough is from the radiation why is it so much worse in the evening and night. I have slept in my recliner most nights.
I had lab work drawn today after I saw the doctor. I will be curious to see to see what the CA-125 did. They only run those on Thursdays, so I won't know until then.
i will follow up with this doctor in April and have a CAT scan before I see him. I have an appointment in Florida for November. I will have the first 3 months CAT scan in Florida, too. So the waiting game continues.
Hi Ro,
I have not been on discussion board for quite a while. Did not realise what was happening for you until I read posts this morning. I admire your steadiness through all your ups and downs. I was wondering if your cough may be due to dryness. Sometimes people with rheumatic disease develop persistent cough for this reason. Dry atmosphere can also be irritating to airways. A bowl of water in heated or air conditioned rooms sometimes helps. Hope the change of climate in Florida will suit you better. Loving thoughts,
Georgia
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Good news todayimackie48 said:Glad it's over
Ro, once you get to Florida and can sit in the warm sunshine you will get better, plus the codeine cough syrup works wonders. I'm glad your finished with that radiiation and didn't hve too many side effects.
my best to you,
love, Irene
i got my CA-125 results today. My last one was 1582, this weeks was 1179. Yippee ! I thought probably the marker would go up from irritation from the radiation. Neither the radiation onocologist or medical onocologist knew what the marker would do. I am so pleased it went down. That must mean the radiation is doing its job on the lymph node.
The radiation onocologist did not think my cough was from the treatments. However he did order some new cough medicine for me. He ordered Tessolon perles. It is supposed to numb the cough reflex. I took one this afternoon and I have had less coughing. I hope it works tonight,too.
I did get more sleep last night. It sure makes a difference when you get agood night's sleep. Hope to get some things accomplished that I couldnot do while I was in St. Louis or resting in my recliner. Hope you all have a good weekend.
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Good news about the markersRo10 said:Good news today
i got my CA-125 results today. My last one was 1582, this weeks was 1179. Yippee ! I thought probably the marker would go up from irritation from the radiation. Neither the radiation onocologist or medical onocologist knew what the marker would do. I am so pleased it went down. That must mean the radiation is doing its job on the lymph node.
The radiation onocologist did not think my cough was from the treatments. However he did order some new cough medicine for me. He ordered Tessolon perles. It is supposed to numb the cough reflex. I took one this afternoon and I have had less coughing. I hope it works tonight,too.
I did get more sleep last night. It sure makes a difference when you get agood night's sleep. Hope to get some things accomplished that I couldnot do while I was in St. Louis or resting in my recliner. Hope you all have a good weekend.
Good news about the markers, Ro. If they are starting to tumble now, just imagine what they could be a few more weeks down the line. Really pleased that you got a better night's sleep, too. Until we've had a spell of restless or sleepless nights, I don't think we realise how important sleep is and how broad the fallout from lack of it can be!
Have a good weekend
Kindest wishes
Helen xx0 -
Yeah!Ro10 said:Good news today
i got my CA-125 results today. My last one was 1582, this weeks was 1179. Yippee ! I thought probably the marker would go up from irritation from the radiation. Neither the radiation onocologist or medical onocologist knew what the marker would do. I am so pleased it went down. That must mean the radiation is doing its job on the lymph node.
The radiation onocologist did not think my cough was from the treatments. However he did order some new cough medicine for me. He ordered Tessolon perles. It is supposed to numb the cough reflex. I took one this afternoon and I have had less coughing. I hope it works tonight,too.
I did get more sleep last night. It sure makes a difference when you get agood night's sleep. Hope to get some things accomplished that I couldnot do while I was in St. Louis or resting in my recliner. Hope you all have a good weekend.
Good news, Ro. I am so glad to hear about the marker coming down. Also, I am glad that it appears that your new cough medicine is starting to work. I am glad to hear you got more sleep last night. Not sleeping well can really have an effect on you during the day.
Starting the weekend here and we get an extra day on Monday!
My best to you.
Kathy
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YEA!Ro10 said:Good news today
i got my CA-125 results today. My last one was 1582, this weeks was 1179. Yippee ! I thought probably the marker would go up from irritation from the radiation. Neither the radiation onocologist or medical onocologist knew what the marker would do. I am so pleased it went down. That must mean the radiation is doing its job on the lymph node.
The radiation onocologist did not think my cough was from the treatments. However he did order some new cough medicine for me. He ordered Tessolon perles. It is supposed to numb the cough reflex. I took one this afternoon and I have had less coughing. I hope it works tonight,too.
I did get more sleep last night. It sure makes a difference when you get agood night's sleep. Hope to get some things accomplished that I couldnot do while I was in St. Louis or resting in my recliner. Hope you all have a good weekend.
That is sooo stinking great Ro! WOW! over 400 points! Deep breath, deep breath. I am so happy for you and happier for all of our futures! Rest up, feel better, it's 89 degrees here in Texas on the Gulf Coast....Florida is calling your name! Best, Dera
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Thanks for all the encouragement and comments.Tresia23 said:Dry airway
Hi Ro,
I have not been on discussion board for quite a while. Did not realise what was happening for you until I read posts this morning. I admire your steadiness through all your ups and downs. I was wondering if your cough may be due to dryness. Sometimes people with rheumatic disease develop persistent cough for this reason. Dry atmosphere can also be irritating to airways. A bowl of water in heated or air conditioned rooms sometimes helps. Hope the change of climate in Florida will suit you better. Loving thoughts,
Georgia
My cough is getting better each day. I am taking less cough medicine and cough pills. The cough still wakes me once or twice a night, but it stops quicker than it did last week. I Still feeling tired. It's two weeks since I finished the treatments, so the radiation flare should be better. The radiation onocologist's nurse called yesterday to see how I was doing. I told her my cough was better, and the pills help me get more sleep at night.
i tried to honey and lemon drink. Even went out and bought some whiskey to add to it. It worked a couple of nights! I tried the bowls of water, but it did not seem to make a difference. I think time has helped it.
Cathy you asked earlier if there was any problem with medicare paying for the treatment. The doctor's office took care of arranging the payment. I got an electronic statement from my secondary insurance about the payments. It was about $4000 each treatment plus the fee for the doctor each day. Then there was the mold fee, the CT scan prior and the initial consultation. So far it has been about $80,000. Of course medicare has not paid that. That is just what the hospital billed.
The drop in my marker was probably greater than 400 points. it was July 16 when I had it drawn. My marker always increases, so I am sure it raised more before I started the radiation. So to me that is very positive.
Hope you all are doing well. In peace and caring.
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Went to the doctor todayRo10 said:Thanks for all the encouragement and comments.
My cough is getting better each day. I am taking less cough medicine and cough pills. The cough still wakes me once or twice a night, but it stops quicker than it did last week. I Still feeling tired. It's two weeks since I finished the treatments, so the radiation flare should be better. The radiation onocologist's nurse called yesterday to see how I was doing. I told her my cough was better, and the pills help me get more sleep at night.
i tried to honey and lemon drink. Even went out and bought some whiskey to add to it. It worked a couple of nights! I tried the bowls of water, but it did not seem to make a difference. I think time has helped it.
Cathy you asked earlier if there was any problem with medicare paying for the treatment. The doctor's office took care of arranging the payment. I got an electronic statement from my secondary insurance about the payments. It was about $4000 each treatment plus the fee for the doctor each day. Then there was the mold fee, the CT scan prior and the initial consultation. So far it has been about $80,000. Of course medicare has not paid that. That is just what the hospital billed.
The drop in my marker was probably greater than 400 points. it was July 16 when I had it drawn. My marker always increases, so I am sure it raised more before I started the radiation. So to me that is very positive.
Hope you all are doing well. In peace and caring.
I am so happy. My last CA-125 was 1179, today it was 508. I did not expect the marker to drop as quickly as it has. since I had the SBRT. I would guess that the treatment is destroying the Cancer in that lymph node. I still have a cough, but it is not as bad as it was. I have no other symptoms. I will have a repeat CAT scan in January to see what the results show on that lymph node, and make sure the other lymph nodes remain small. I will have another CA-125.
Hope you are all doing well. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am very thankful for every day. In peace and caring.
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Such wonderful news and I amRo10 said:Went to the doctor today
I am so happy. My last CA-125 was 1179, today it was 508. I did not expect the marker to drop as quickly as it has. since I had the SBRT. I would guess that the treatment is destroying the Cancer in that lymph node. I still have a cough, but it is not as bad as it was. I have no other symptoms. I will have a repeat CAT scan in January to see what the results show on that lymph node, and make sure the other lymph nodes remain small. I will have another CA-125.
Hope you are all doing well. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am very thankful for every day. In peace and caring.
Such wonderful news and I am so happy for you Ro!
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Ro, what wonderful news!!!NoTimeForCancer said:Such wonderful news and I am
Such wonderful news and I am so happy for you Ro!
Ro, I am so glad to hear how well you have done with treatment!! Wow! I hope that you, and all the wonderful women here, have a blessed Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for! I am grateful to my new friends on this board: you have helped me cope with my own personal cancer journey. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!
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Hooray RobertaRo10 said:Went to the doctor today
I am so happy. My last CA-125 was 1179, today it was 508. I did not expect the marker to drop as quickly as it has. since I had the SBRT. I would guess that the treatment is destroying the Cancer in that lymph node. I still have a cough, but it is not as bad as it was. I have no other symptoms. I will have a repeat CAT scan in January to see what the results show on that lymph node, and make sure the other lymph nodes remain small. I will have another CA-125.
Hope you are all doing well. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am very thankful for every day. In peace and caring.
I'm so happy to hear that. We'll continue to pray that the cancer cells die. You have a great Thanksgiving as well. We all can be thankful to be alive and that we have each other.
Happy Thanksgiving. I, too, am very thankful for all you ladies. I'm also thankful that my 3rd three month check-up went well. I'm feeling good and feeling stronger.
Jeanette
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Your news, Ro,It happened to Me said:Hooray Roberta
I'm so happy to hear that. We'll continue to pray that the cancer cells die. You have a great Thanksgiving as well. We all can be thankful to be alive and that we have each other.
Happy Thanksgiving. I, too, am very thankful for all you ladies. I'm also thankful that my 3rd three month check-up went well. I'm feeling good and feeling stronger.
Jeanette
made my day. I am over the moon for you. I'm hoping next we'll hear the same from Helen.
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Wonderful!Ro10 said:Went to the doctor today
I am so happy. My last CA-125 was 1179, today it was 508. I did not expect the marker to drop as quickly as it has. since I had the SBRT. I would guess that the treatment is destroying the Cancer in that lymph node. I still have a cough, but it is not as bad as it was. I have no other symptoms. I will have a repeat CAT scan in January to see what the results show on that lymph node, and make sure the other lymph nodes remain small. I will have another CA-125.
Hope you are all doing well. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I know I am very thankful for every day. In peace and caring.
Ro,
Quite frankly, you are AWESOME! That is wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Susan
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