Radiation & fatigue

Michaelynn
Michaelynn Member Posts: 85 Member
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I am 59 years old. I started spotting in June of 2008 and the doctors did an ultrasound and said I has a fibroid and they never checked any further. I was diagnosed February 22 after a biopsy with Uterine Cancer. I had a total Hysterectomy on March 10. They diagnosed me with 2 kinds of Cancer the most important one being Serous. I am a Stage 1 Grade 3. The cancer was through 25% of the Uterine wall (and contained) but no lymphoid involvement. I am starting Vaginal Cuff Radiation on Tuesday morning for 3 treatments (1 every week) and then on to chemo for 6 treatments. My question is how soon after radiation treatment does the fatigue set in (I know it maybe different for different people). I am trying to plan my schedule around the treatments and would like to get some kind of idea of what days I might need to do less and rest more.

Comments

  • jazzy1
    jazzy1 Member Posts: 1,379
    #2
    Fatigue
    Welcome...

    I had 3 rounds of chemo (every 3 weeks) then 33 sessions of radiation (daily) and lastly 3 more rounds of chemo. I thought the radiation was the worst as I was so very tired. My doc told me approx 2 weeks after start of radiation you'll be tired --- but remember I had it every day and you only have it once per week. You might not notice until the end....think?

    Also might find the bowels to be challenged and suggest very little roughage. I am huge on vegies and fruits and had to cut out so many...almost felt like I was eating baby puree food.

    I had the vaginal spotting and my doc wasn't sure what it was so I went directly to dept for ultrasound. Then had D&C as found 2 small fibroid tumors, with biopsy it was cancer, then to hysterectomy. Interesting as your doctor didn't suggest a D&C? I've beem so grateful to my doc as he wasn't sure what was causing bleeding so just did the ultrasound. He could have told me something else and sent me home. I tell everyone this doc saved my life!!!

    Best to you!
    Jan
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    #3
    Fatigue
    Everyone is different....I had 8 weeks of external and 4 session of internal radiation.

    I suffered no fatigue effects and worked through it all. My stomach side effects however were significant. Be prepared for all the side effects and pray you skip some of them.

    You will get through it! Just remember to tell your doctor what your side effects are so they can help!

    Laurie
  • norma2
    norma2 Member Posts: 479
    #4
    Strangely for me I didn't
    Strangely for me I didn't realize it was fatigue until I had had 3 weeks of daily radiation and the vaginal cuff(3 treatments) at the end of the radiation treatments. If you are having the vaginal cuff radiation alone maybe you won't have as much fatigue. I know we hate to hear it, but each person is different. I was able to take off work for 5 weeks and stayed in a hotel near M. D. Anderson in Houston where I had my radiation. I would take a long nap each afternoon. My main side effect was diahrrea. Thank goodness for Motrin. It helped a great deal. Tell your health care team about side effects. There are many medicines that can help make you comfortable.

    Keep your chin up. I finished treatments in Feb and each day I feel stronger. It gets better.
  • Kitz
    Kitz Member Posts: 7
    #5
    radiation
    Had my surgery December 21. I started to feel tired around the third week. I had radiation everyday for six weeks then three internal treatments four days apart. You just take care and eat little meals drink water. But it will all pass. You just hang in there. Tomorrow I will start my first of three Chemo treatments which will be three weeks apart.
  • Kitz
    Kitz Member Posts: 7
    #6
    radiation
    Had my surgery December 21. I started to feel tired around the third week. I had radiation everyday for six weeks then three internal treatments four days apart. You just take care and eat little meals drink water. But it will all pass. You just hang in there. Tomorrow I will start my first of three Chemo treatments which will be three weeks apart.

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