Mom starts radiation today

kimmo
kimmo Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hi - I posted on this site a couple of months ago when my Mom was first diagnosed with lung cancer - Stage 3 - nsc. Well Thursday she went for her "markings" and today, Friday, she starts her radiation treatments. Just the word radiation frightens me - I am so scared for her. She is 66 years old and seems to get short of breath quite quickly. I am just hoping she can handle the treatments. Anyway, I am just searching for some info as to what to expect from the treatments. She goes monday - friday for three weeks for 5 minutes of radiation per day. The treatments are only mildly aggressive the DR says, but he feels that is all she will be able to handle. I would love to hear from anyone who can prepare me for what side effects she may experience. Thank you.

Comments

  • michaelcie
    michaelcie Member Posts: 133
    #2
    Dear Kimmo, I have small cell lung cancer and had chemo and radiation , the radiation was about one minute intervals thru my chest, side and back , I had them five days a week for six and a half weeks. the sides are tired, throat was sore, and rash. I also had some nausea and vomiting. The throat was the worst to deal with for me, but it heals fast and the doctor can give you something for this that helps, I will keep your mom in my prayers and bless and goood luck. Mike
  • tomsbc
    tomsbc Member Posts: 19
    #3
    Hi, I've been through it also I was 65 at the time and it was stage llA NSCLC. I finished the radiation and 2 rounds of chemo. I also had the sore throat, and about 6 weeks after the radiation developed severe pain in the shoulder. They discovered edema and tissue tamage from the rediation. I was treated with prednisone and vicodin for 2 weeks the pain all but disappeared. It's been 7 months now and the tumor is stable and I get CTs about every 4 months. The shoulder bothers me a little and I have a lump in the back where the scarring is, but I'm hanging in there. If they do another PET it probably won't be until this May or June (I HOPE).
    tomsbc

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