Radiation Starts Tomorrow

robinvan
robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Tomorrow I begin a program of radiation to knock back a recurrent tumour that started on the outside of the rectum and has grown into the sacrum. Ouch! I'm scheduled for 15 daily treatments from now until mid-October. This is all part of dealing with what is a very discouraging development in my 5-year journey with stage 4 colon cancer.

I started having a number of symptoms through the summer until a bone scan and CT finally picked it up. By now I am dealing with a very nasty complex of bone and nerve pain in the buttocks and thigh and a "numbness" or loss of feeling in much of my pelvis area. Not to mention an inability to void my bladder. My list of pain meds grows as does the list of meds to address the side-effects of the pain meds. You can check into my blog for details and updates. http://rob-pollock.blogspot.com/

Anybody out there ever have a spread to the sacrum or pelvis?

Rob; in Vancouver

“What medicines do not heal, the lance will; what the lance does not heal, fire will.”
Hippocrates

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    Canada Rob :)
    Hey Rob

    Man, I'm sorry to hear about this - I can't say I've had this experience in the same areas.

    My original tumor was in the lower section of the rectum, just barely enough to resect, but they had to blast me with external radiation for 5 weeks - 25 treatments overall - both sides of my hips and right up the old bazoo too.

    Let's just say there were side effects and it wrecked me pretty good, but shrank the tumor enough to allow the resection by millimeters literally.

    Keep me posted my northern friend - we're on a pilgrimage, right?

    I'll be glad to share with you what I went through if you ever want to talk...I'm hoping that things go well for you...radiation is a tough one...I found sleep was the best thing to do when I was so tired from the treatments.

    -Craig
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #3
    Be Blessed
    Rob,

    So sorry that you are going thru this horrible stuff. You are a real fighter and I want you to know that I appreciate your posts. I don't have any experience specifically but can only imagine how uncomfortable this all is. My heart aches for you. Please keep us posted and know that you're covered in prayer.

    God Bless you,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #4
    Sundanceh said:

    Canada Rob :)
    Hey Rob

    Man, I'm sorry to hear about this - I can't say I've had this experience in the same areas.

    My original tumor was in the lower section of the rectum, just barely enough to resect, but they had to blast me with external radiation for 5 weeks - 25 treatments overall - both sides of my hips and right up the old bazoo too.

    Let's just say there were side effects and it wrecked me pretty good, but shrank the tumor enough to allow the resection by millimeters literally.

    Keep me posted my northern friend - we're on a pilgrimage, right?

    I'll be glad to share with you what I went through if you ever want to talk...I'm hoping that things go well for you...radiation is a tough one...I found sleep was the best thing to do when I was so tired from the treatments.

    -Craig

    Thanks Craig...
    We are indeed on a pilgrimage. My treatment program of radiation will end on October 15th which is the day of your surgery. We are in this together!

    Thanks for the words. And yes I'd like to hear what you went through but not yet!

    Rob; in Van
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #5
    grammadebbie said:

    Be Blessed
    Rob,

    So sorry that you are going thru this horrible stuff. You are a real fighter and I want you to know that I appreciate your posts. I don't have any experience specifically but can only imagine how uncomfortable this all is. My heart aches for you. Please keep us posted and know that you're covered in prayer.

    God Bless you,

    Debbie (gramma)

    Thank you Debbie
    Every prayer is appreciated!

    Rob; in Van
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #6
    robinvan said:

    Thank you Debbie
    Every prayer is appreciated!

    Rob; in Van

    Sorry to hear of your set back
    I am so sorry to hear of this setback for you. I know how discouraging the news can be. I have no doubt that you will fight every day.You are one who has kept me going.

    I hope the meds can bring you some pain relief. As a matter of fact I am going this morning to have some bloodwork because of some significant back pain that I cannot relate to any injury. This is the first step then maybe a scan.

    I will pray for symptom relief and great results. Hang in there Rob!

    Dawn
  • butterfly23
    butterfly23 Member Posts: 256
    #7
    Hey Rob
    I also have mets to lungs and lumbar area of my spine. I just finished 10 rad. treatments, I was a little tired, but nothing compared to chemo! I had to lay on a table for about 10 sec. it's not the amount of time but the dosage. I did put corn starch on my back, because you can get burned in that area. I do have pain, I have only been taking tylenol, but the last few days i'm taking vicoden. As we all know bone cancer in very painful. Thank GOD for meds. I will start chemo next week, zeloda,olyaplatin,avastin. Please let me know how you are doing, because I think we're the only ones with mets to the bone.
    p.s. I am a VERY positive person and I do have a sense of humor about all this, it's what gets me through. when I found out it was in the spine, the area it is in could cause paralysis, My first thought was I WANT THE HOV-AROUND! (INFOMERCIAL) That thing has some speed! My husband did not think this was funny!
    keep in touch and GOOD LUCK!
    Karyn
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #8
    If you're not seeing a
    If you're not seeing a urologist for the bladder problem, you might think about doing that. My oncologist referred me to one a couple of years ago, and I get a PSA test, diagnostic for prostate cancer, as part of my routine blood work every 3 months. Just in case.

    --Greg
  • Mike49
    Mike49 Member Posts: 261
    #9
    Wishing you strength
    I'll be wishing you strength, hang in there I know today will be the start and hopefully the your better soon
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #10
    Mike49 said:

    Wishing you strength
    I'll be wishing you strength, hang in there I know today will be the start and hopefully the your better soon

    You are strong!
    ...you're an inspiration Rob, and Good Luck in your radiation treatments, you have beat this before, and you'll beat it again, I haven't had radiation, but who know if I ever will, you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and come out of this smelling like a rose :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #11
    Shayenne said:

    You are strong!
    ...you're an inspiration Rob, and Good Luck in your radiation treatments, you have beat this before, and you'll beat it again, I haven't had radiation, but who know if I ever will, you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and come out of this smelling like a rose :)

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    Rob
    Good luck with the radiation and i hope you feel better soon , sending prayers

    michelle
  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #12
    Thank You All
    Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, and advice. All went well. I took about 30 minutes, in and out. My daughter Morgan (23) wants to come tomorrow and check it out. She is expecting something out of Star Wars... she won't be disappointed.

    Cancer is being killed again! It is about time!

    Back in the treatment saddle... Rob; in Vancouver
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #13
    robinvan said:

    Thank You All
    Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, and advice. All went well. I took about 30 minutes, in and out. My daughter Morgan (23) wants to come tomorrow and check it out. She is expecting something out of Star Wars... she won't be disappointed.

    Cancer is being killed again! It is about time!

    Back in the treatment saddle... Rob; in Vancouver

    YEAH!!!
    Hey Rob,

    Glad to hear things went well, will continue to pray for you. It will be nice to have your daughter with you. Kids are special in there ability to make us happy.

    God Continue to bless you,
    Debbie (gramma)
  • ittapp
    ittapp Member Posts: 383 Member
    #14
    robinvan said:

    Thank You All
    Thank you for the thoughts, prayers, and advice. All went well. I took about 30 minutes, in and out. My daughter Morgan (23) wants to come tomorrow and check it out. She is expecting something out of Star Wars... she won't be disappointed.

    Cancer is being killed again! It is about time!

    Back in the treatment saddle... Rob; in Vancouver

    Rob, so glad to hear that
    Rob, so glad to hear that the treatments went well. I am sorry you are having to go through this again. I hope that the radiation is tolerable. God Bless you, Patti
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #15
    Good luck
    I had radiation at the very start of my journey -- almost 7 years ago. Good luck with it -- I will be with you in spirit.

    Best wishes
    Tara
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #16
    Sorry
    So sorry to hear that you are dealing with another round of treatment. I don't have any knowledge of what you are going through but I wish you well in the outcome.

    Kim
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #17
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Sorry
    So sorry to hear that you are dealing with another round of treatment. I don't have any knowledge of what you are going through but I wish you well in the outcome.

    Kim

    Dearest Rob
    oh Rob I am so sorry for this development...I too have no knowledge of the next phase you are about to fight. But I do know you are a fighter my dear Canadian friend. I will lift a cup of Timmie's to you this very day. :):):)
    Wishing you all the very best,
    mags
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #18
    Hi Rob,I am so sorry to hear
    Hi Rob,I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering so much pain.I just want to let you know that I have prayed for you and I hope you can finish the radiation treatment smoothly and later you will have a great outcome from the treatment.You are a real warrior.You are in my prayers and best luck to you with all the treatments.Take care.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #19
    Fight for my love said:

    Hi Rob,I am so sorry to hear
    Hi Rob,I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering so much pain.I just want to let you know that I have prayed for you and I hope you can finish the radiation treatment smoothly and later you will have a great outcome from the treatment.You are a real warrior.You are in my prayers and best luck to you with all the treatments.Take care.

    Rob....
    ...How's it going so far? you ok?

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

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