Phase Two Done

beccabtown
beccabtown Member Posts: 234
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

I had my last brachy treatment today, so I'm done with the radiation portion of the "sandwich." On the whole I'd say my symptoms from external and internal radiation have been mild--or else I just don't remember them after they pass, which is also possible. Some mild urinary irritation and some diarrhea. I go back for a followup visit in two weeks and will get instructions for using the dilators then.

This does feel like a milestone, but I think I should be happier than I am. I'm mostly thinking about how much I still have to do. Nine more weeks of chemo, and I'll be pushing to try to get it all done by the end of the year. I see my oncologist tomorrow and will find out if I can restart chemo next week as I'd like to do.

So I need to start getting back into the chemo mindset, do some laundry and cooking to be ready when it starts again.

Thanks for listening!

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Comments

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited November 2016 #2
    Hang in there!

    Congrats on finishing radiation!  I sure can understand not feeling happy yet. I couldn't get excited when I finished chemo because I knew I still had that last few weeks to get through after it, then another surgery facing me, and then possibly radiation which in fact I'm doing now. We'll feel more like celebrating when we have that first post-treatment appointment show NED, eh?  Good luck with the rest of your chemo, although I'm uneasy how it will go with you pushing the schedule like you are. Crossing my fingers, eyes, and toes that it won't be any harder than the first 3 rounds!

  • janaes
    janaes Member Posts: 799 Member
    edited November 2016 #3
    Hey good luck with the rest

    Hey good luck with the rest of your chemo.  I hope the treatments go easy on you.  Im glad you are done with external and bracytherapy treatments.  I finish mine this thursday. Yea! 

     

  • Kvdyson
    Kvdyson Member Posts: 790 Member
    edited November 2016 #4

    Rebecca, you need to make an effort to celebrate this milestone! At least go out to dinner or do something that you enjoy. Think back to the beginning of this crazy journey and how scary it was to think about all that was ahead of you - and now you are almost done! That is something to celebrate for sure. Don't let what lies ahead steal the small joys that you experience every day. This is a joyous event - congratulations!! 

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    #5
    Yup, Yup, Yup

    CELEBRATE!  Today is the day we have- you all are going to get sick of me saying it ;)  It's how I beat back the fear and stay at peace- I often repeat "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift- that's why it's called the present"

    Love to you all- LIVE IT LIKE YOU LOVE IT!!!  <3<3   (((HUGS)))

  • Mmpeterson
    Mmpeterson Member Posts: 124
    #6
    Huge accomplishment, congrats

    Huge accomplishment, congrats!!  Hope the rest of your chemo goes very well for you.  Prayers and many hugs!! Maryanne

  • Editgrl
    Editgrl Member Posts: 903 Member
    edited November 2016 #7
    Celebrate each milestone

    Every phase that ends brings you one step closer to finishing treatment, and that is something to celebrate.  Or, if you don't feel like celebrating, mark it in some way that is meaningful to you.

    I hope you can begin your chemo sooner rather than later and finish up by the end of the year.  Wouldn't that be a New Year to celebrate?!

  • cindy0519
    cindy0519 Member Posts: 173
    edited November 2016 #8
    Definately celebrate each

    Definately celebrate each milestone and getting to the end of radiation is indeed a milestone!  Before you know it the remaining chemo will be done and you'll be to celebrate that too!!

  • bluesmama
    bluesmama Member Posts: 125 Member
    #9
    Gratz

    Stay strong. I'm heading into Phase 1 (as I call it) myself. Cisplatin (x2) and radiation (x28). Hoping to come out on the other side relatively unscatched and using your story and others as inspiration. Rest. You deserve it.

  • LindyLu
    LindyLu Member Posts: 72
    #10
    Becca...congrats!

    So glad you came out of radiation phase with little discomfort!  This is indeed a milestone to celebrate, however big or small please indulge yourself, if only a little.  I wish you well on phase 3! It would be awesome to celebrate the new year with no more treatments!

    Thank you for sharing your journey.  I am looking at starting my 2nd phase of the "sandwich" treatment (radiation therapy) the first week of December.  Because we live about two hours away from my treatment center, we'll be renting a nearby extended stay place for those six weeks.  It will be during the holiday season and I'm thinking of it as a vacation...LOL.   Your post gives me hope that all will go well.

    Cheers to you and a Big Hug ~LL 

  • sshhaarrii
    sshhaarrii Member Posts: 38 Member
    #11
    It was definitely a day to

    It was definitely a day to celebrate! And there after too. Glad to hear the side affects were not too bad. That is inspiration for the ones that still need it, like me. I wish you the best with the remaining chemo. 

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    #12
    Celebrate for sure! Congrats!

    Celebrate for sure! Congrats!

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    edited November 2016 #13
    bluesmama said:

    Gratz

    Stay strong. I'm heading into Phase 1 (as I call it) myself. Cisplatin (x2) and radiation (x28). Hoping to come out on the other side relatively unscatched and using your story and others as inspiration. Rest. You deserve it.

    Bluesmama

    sending continued prayers for you - hope you come out the other side celebrating too :D  (((HUGS)))

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    edited November 2016 #14
    LindyLu said:

    Becca...congrats!

    So glad you came out of radiation phase with little discomfort!  This is indeed a milestone to celebrate, however big or small please indulge yourself, if only a little.  I wish you well on phase 3! It would be awesome to celebrate the new year with no more treatments!

    Thank you for sharing your journey.  I am looking at starting my 2nd phase of the "sandwich" treatment (radiation therapy) the first week of December.  Because we live about two hours away from my treatment center, we'll be renting a nearby extended stay place for those six weeks.  It will be during the holiday season and I'm thinking of it as a vacation...LOL.   Your post gives me hope that all will go well.

    Cheers to you and a Big Hug ~LL 

    LindyLu

    Thinking of you and sending prayers as you start phase 2- glad you can stay nearby and think of it as vacation :D  (((HUGS)))

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    edited November 2016 #15
    Congratulations

    That light at the end of the tunnel should be getting brighter.  I am glad that the radiation and brachytheryepy was mild for you.  Treat yourself to,a,little something to mark this milestone.  I had the sandwich treatment plan,too, and,they,did let me,start,chemo,again,very quickly.  Prayers that you,will be finished by the new year.

    Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    edited November 2016 #16
    Congrats!

    I can understand your difficulty getting pumped up for more chemo. 

    I had my last internal radiation today so that completes my first line therapy. My next CT scan is in February. Now to try to begin to live as a survivor. 

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    #17
    CheeseQueen57 said:

    Congrats!

    I can understand your difficulty getting pumped up for more chemo. 

    I had my last internal radiation today so that completes my first line therapy. My next CT scan is in February. Now to try to begin to live as a survivor. 

    Ring that Bell!

    Congratulations to you, too, CQ!  Treatment is such a long interruption of our lives, enjoy the freedom and the control of your life again!

  • Nellasing
    Nellasing Member Posts: 528 Member
    #18
    CheeseQueen57 said:

    Congrats!

    I can understand your difficulty getting pumped up for more chemo. 

    I had my last internal radiation today so that completes my first line therapy. My next CT scan is in February. Now to try to begin to live as a survivor. 

    WOOT!!!!

    YAY CheeseQueen you did it!!!!  So happy to hear you are done.  I am trying to figure out the whole "live as a survivor" thing.  Keep us posted if you discover any great tips on that :D  (((HUGS)))

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    #19
    CheeseQueen57 said:

    Congrats!

    I can understand your difficulty getting pumped up for more chemo. 

    I had my last internal radiation today so that completes my first line therapy. My next CT scan is in February. Now to try to begin to live as a survivor. 

    Enjoy!

    May be hard to.adjust to a normal life again, but you can do it.  Hoora.

    Hugs and,prayers, Lou Ann

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #20
    Congrats to both Becca and CQ

    Congrats to both Becca and CQ!

    Becca, you are on the home stretch. You can do this!  Just think, you get to start off 2017 all done.

    CQ, Your new normal begins now. It really is an exciting time. You get to watch new hair come back and discover whatever the heck it is going to look like along the way. You get to watch your body rebuild strength. I still remember barely being able to walk a lap around my yard and now walk 4 miles a day. That takes time. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the small steps of progress. Each one will build you back to someone you will be inspired by. I hope all of the other issues you have had to deal with are also on the mend. Please keep in touch during your healing journey.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • LindyLu
    LindyLu Member Posts: 72
    #21
    Wohoo...CQ

    You made it through!  So happy for you!  Big Hugs...you and Becca are inspiring to those of us who are in the middle of this!   Hope you both do something wonderful to celebrate these milestones!!

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