Radiation questions

When organs are removed
Hi I thought the same that when the organs are removed and had treatment that the cancer was gone. Guess not. Take care and try to stop worrying. I heard from not only one person but many others that radiation was better then chemo. I send you lots of positive thoughts and I know just how you feel. LOL june.

hopeful girl 1 said:

To jazzy1 -Jan
Jan,
I love emailing with you. You are so inspirational. May I ask your age? If we already covered that I apologize. I am 46.

Did you have any of the hip, buttocks pain previous to radiation? Any chance this pain is left over from the surgery? I still get different pains which my surgeon who is also my oncologist, states is normal and part of healing (surgery was end of March), one of which is the lower back. I have read others on the board do as well. I think because this kind of surgery is just so major it has a big effect on our bodies.

I agree, if that discomfort is the main issue following treatment, then that is very lucky.

I guess I am getting nervous about radiation that will be ahead soon, in part with some of the posts I have read here on the boards. At first many in NED mentioned all of the treatments are not as bad as we all anticipate and mostly bowel issues are mentioned etc. Then I saw a number of posts about those wishing they had not opted for it, etc.
So I was confused.

Why is it that death is listed as a side effect of radiation? How would that occur?
Would that be if an organ was hit accidentally?

I see some have mentioned the statistics don't show much difference for survival with radiation, have you found that to be true? And some have mentioned that they don't know long term side effects. Yet radiation has been done for many years. I saw a post that IMRT is a safer radiation, is that what you had?

These things make me wonder if I should just do the chemo, but I am sure my doc would advise me against that. That was my understanding also, that chemo hits all over the body, and then radiation zaps where the cancer was to try to prevent it from regrowing in that area-is that your understanding?

Peace and happiness to you!

Hopeful
I've always been a very positive thinking person and continue on, as is my hubbie who is an entrepreneur. Those type personalities see hope and not gloom which is my thinking in life. Don't get me wrong I get down and in the dumps but within a day I'm back up and being the old Jan once more. My age is 53 years...young!!!

Some of the pain I'm having yes could be from surgery such as healing areas, etc. My chiropractor tells me I'm just old -- nice man hum? He thinks it could be arthritis or a bone spur which I've read another cancer patient having. She used physical therapy which was her cure. You see we all have the aches and pain and just need to find what works to looses up the joints and avoid pain. Just don't like going to a zillion docs, especially since I've got a high deductible and I pay 100% out of my pocket until ded is met.

I guess you can talk yourself out of anything such as radiaton after reading all the postings here. On other side you need to decide on your own depending on your type and stage of cancer. We can only be a guide, but you're an "individual" and might react just great to radiation. I didn't really have any issues except the bowels being fast and much tiredness. But...you know what, in the end I did it and after one month my isses started to subside. Why go there and worry about it as it won't change. Worry is like a rocking horse which goes back and forth and you get no where. Don't go there.... It will all work out and you'll be cancer free which is your goal, right?

I'm sure death is listed on the side affect,but what doesn't have that option. You could eat at a restaurant and get some bad meat and die within 24 hours or be bitten by a spider and die too. Life is just like that,but we must go on and do the best we can with what tools God has given us. I'm not a very religious person but do have a higher power, God, I pray he guides me thru this cancer journey and keep me here to help others. Plus nice to be here while my daughter is growing up and husband.

I had external radiation and not sure about the IMRT...someone else can answer.

Ask lots of questions on the radiation and then you sit on it for a few days. One day you'll wake up and decide this is the best direction. I just let it go into the hands of my doctors as I trusted them. Do you trust your docs? If so, let them be the guide as they're experienced we aren't. Now if they tell you something and you still don't feel comfortable, then go for another opinion. You are in control of your body.

Best to you and hope I answered all your questions....
Jan