When did you have your first PET scan.

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  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,168 Member
    edited November 2017 #22
    Flu Shot

    Things about radiation just keep coming back to me and I just wanted to bring up the issue about your immune system. During chemo my RBCs and WBCs always dropped dramatically between infusion but generally bounced back before I was due for the next one. During and after radiation my blood counts dropped slower but steadily and stayed down for some months after I finished radiation. The fatigue persisted while I was anemic and I had to be careful how much I went out in public during cold and flu season while my white count was down. If you haven't had a flu/pneumonia shot yet, be sure to discuss when to get one before radiation with your oncologist. As long as it isn't a live vaccine, it should be ok to get one, but you'd want to double check on that while still going through chemo. Be really careful of places people take there kids to like church, grocery stores, and public restrooms because you can't count on them to be careful with their germs. Taking a probiotic will help a bit, but not as much as your white blood cells do. It's not a bad idea to be a bit of a germaphobe while your immune system is subpar.

  • Jairoldi
    Jairoldi Member Posts: 221 Member
    edited November 2017 #23
    MAbound said:

    Flu Shot

    Things about radiation just keep coming back to me and I just wanted to bring up the issue about your immune system. During chemo my RBCs and WBCs always dropped dramatically between infusion but generally bounced back before I was due for the next one. During and after radiation my blood counts dropped slower but steadily and stayed down for some months after I finished radiation. The fatigue persisted while I was anemic and I had to be careful how much I went out in public during cold and flu season while my white count was down. If you haven't had a flu/pneumonia shot yet, be sure to discuss when to get one before radiation with your oncologist. As long as it isn't a live vaccine, it should be ok to get one, but you'd want to double check on that while still going through chemo. Be really careful of places people take there kids to like church, grocery stores, and public restrooms because you can't count on them to be careful with their germs. Taking a probiotic will help a bit, but not as much as your white blood cells do. It's not a bad idea to be a bit of a germaphobe while your immune system is subpar.

    Good reminder

    That is a good reminder. I am in the middle of radiation and asked about the flu shot. My doc encouraged me to get it so I did. I can't imagine having the flu during treatment. 

  • Sharring
    Sharring Member Posts: 24
    #24
    Very good advice & info everyone...

    I have to work full time during all this. So far chemo has been manageable with a few xtra days here and there.  I am fortunate that my superiors and co workers have been extremely supportive.  Every three weeks is one thing but...5 days a week for 5 weeks of radiation is going to be really tough for me I think.  I’m trying to save in case I need some extra time off.  My counts dropped right away so I have been on nulasta throughout chemo.  Would that mean I will likely have probs during radiation as well you think?  Also, i didn’t get a flu shot but thought I should.  Is there a better time during a chemo cycle that would work?  Again, really great info gals!!

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #25
    Not time consuming

    Although you have to go every day for radiation, it only takes about 15 minutes. So if they run on time, you are in and out fairly quickly. I always tried to be one of the first patients in the morning. 

  • Lou Ann M
    Lou Ann M Member Posts: 996 Member
    edited November 2017 #26
    Sharring said:

    Very good advice & info everyone...

    I have to work full time during all this. So far chemo has been manageable with a few xtra days here and there.  I am fortunate that my superiors and co workers have been extremely supportive.  Every three weeks is one thing but...5 days a week for 5 weeks of radiation is going to be really tough for me I think.  I’m trying to save in case I need some extra time off.  My counts dropped right away so I have been on nulasta throughout chemo.  Would that mean I will likely have probs during radiation as well you think?  Also, i didn’t get a flu shot but thought I should.  Is there a better time during a chemo cycle that would work?  Again, really great info gals!!

    Radiation

    i had my radiation late in the day so,I could work all but the last half hour and someone covered for me.  The radiation itself, did not last long.  I did have a problem with fatigues and diarrhea.  Imodium became my best friend and I invested in Depends.  For me, it was easier than chemo and I made it working. everyone is different though.

    Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

  • barnyardgal
    barnyardgal Member Posts: 272 Member
    #27
    This thread has been very

    This thread has been very helpful. I haven't had a PET scan yet but recently had the CT scan which came back fine.

    I don't really want to have to do radiation (or chemo for that matter) but I'm going with the doctors recommendations to try to kick this cancer to the curb. The doctors want me to do the sandwich treatment, too, so I'll just have to gut through it. I'm just trying to remind myself that by spring, all recommended treatment should be done. Hopefully with not too many lingering side effects but it is a little scary. Then again, so is cancer.

     

  • Sharring
    Sharring Member Posts: 24
    #28
    Very true barnyardgal....

    lots to think about for sure.  We are lucky to have so many willing to share before us.  Real life experiences. Just when I think I’m not strong enough or lack the courage to go forward every one before me reminds me that I am.  There are pitfalls and everyone is different. Sadly we all share a common goal, survival despite the odds.  I often wipe the tears dripping onto my iPad when I first logon here but more often then not, sleep a little better having gained strength from all those before me.  If I had one true wish it would be to round table with all the others in this thread, face to face, if for no other reason than to thank everyone in person.  For as long as I’m able to continue my fight I will try to contribute and provide support.  Today was some bad news for me but I’m going to regroup and pray I pick the right path. Sheesh...I’d rather be peacefully knitting a new winter sweater for my chihuahua!

  • ConnieSW
    ConnieSW Member Posts: 1,688 Member
    #29
    Knitting

    go ahead. It helped me. 

  • Soup52
    Soup52 Member Posts: 908 Member
    edited November 2017 #30
    Like cheese and MAnound I had

    Like cheese and MAnound I had extensive radiation. I was lucky in that I live very close to the center, so the daily track wasn’t a problem. I just had a ct scan more than a year passing . My oncologist is also reluctant to give them very often because I’ve already had so much. I’ve had a couple others before surgery and after chemo ended. Some lingering after effects of chemo and radiation areneuropathy and constipation. Still I’m alive and no reoccurance so far after August 2015 diagnosis, so so far I’m grateful.

  • Violet123
    Violet123 Member Posts: 28 Member
    #31
    Only CT scan and ultrasound

    My MD ordered a PET scan for prep for surgery.  My insurance said they take 45 days to authorize PET scans so he ordered a CT scan with contrast prior to surgery and the insurance authorized it sooner. A few weeks after surgery the authorization came in for the PET scan, but my MD said that now that I am on Chemo it wouldn't be of benefit.  He said 3 months after I complete the current treatment plan, taxol/ carboplatan, and then radiation, he would order the. PET scan.  And my chemo port has to stay in for 1 1/2 years after treatment is completed in case there is a reoccurrence.

  • Anne0803
    Anne0803 Member Posts: 15
    #32
    No CT scan after surgery

    I had my surgery last October 28, 2016, started my Chemo treatment December 20, 2016 till April 2016.  My platelets only started to go down after my 3rd, so I had a week delay for my 4th, 5th and 6th treatment.   After a month rest I had my External Beam Radiation treatment for 25-28 days on June 2016

    I had only minimal side effects from Chemo (my knees are weaker) and a little numbing in my finger tips while a diarrhea lasted after 2 weeks of my last Radiation treatment.

    I was pre-occupied during the treatments as we just bough a 39 MY boat, even I'm tired or weak, we still take her out.  And we enjoyed a 32 days of boating this summer up North of Vancouver Island.

    After all the treatment I did ask my doctor about how can I be sure if the treatments worked.  The Gynecology Oncologist I met wasn't not the one who did my surgery.  She said If I have unusual pain, bleeding just let her know.  No other test was done.  So I decided to contact the Gynecology Oncologist who did my surgery to get 2nd opinion.  Because I started to feel some back pains and throbbing in my pelvic area.  He agreed and it is reasonable for me to get a CT Scan (the result was clear). Praise God! And also I had a follow-up check up with my Chemotheraphy Doctor and my CA-125 was clear too!!! This all happens last September 2017.

    BTW I don't have insurance.  So I can choose any doctor or hospital which I feel it works for me.  

    What I have right now is Christian Healthcare Ministries, I've been a member since 2015.  And they were true about helping me financially so far I received 80% of cost of my hospital bills etc.

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