chemo rad questions

cherriann
cherriann Member Posts: 155 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
hi all,
i will be starting chemo and radiation tommorow. i know everyone is different but can anyone give me a little info on what to expect. how bad is the nausea? can you still work? i have heard that the last week of radation is painful. in what way? any info will be appreciated. thanks again all, cherri

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    I know the who, but What? (chemo) and Where? (radiation...targeted or not, seed or not, etc)
    Each treatment is different, read chemo side effects description (I googled each one, AND looked on ACS, also called 1800 number for ACS).
    Tired is biggest trouble I had.

    Hugs,
    Kathi
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #3
    As you say, everyone tolerates the chemo/radiotherapy differently but certainly the radiotherapy does not usually have too much effect until the last week or so in many people. Some people have burns to the skin but my husband did not. He experienced diarrhoea (controllable but do not let yourself become dehydrated) general weakness and painful bowel movements. Nausea was not an issue until the last week or two. It is amazing though how quickly the effects can wear off once treatment is over. Some people get unpleasant stomach pains following radiotherapy...radiation enteritis, and my husband had that too for a few weeks. He returned to work a month after finishing radiotherapy but was still having chemotherapy. He had other complications so he may not be an "average" case.

    I hope all goes well with your treatment. Make sure you drink plenty and tell your doctor, oncologist etc of any unpleasant reactions you are having. There are so many meds these days to alleviate symptoms.

    Take care,

    Ali
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    KathiM said:

    I know the who, but What? (chemo) and Where? (radiation...targeted or not, seed or not, etc)
    Each treatment is different, read chemo side effects description (I googled each one, AND looked on ACS, also called 1800 number for ACS).
    Tired is biggest trouble I had.

    Hugs,
    Kathi

    Also nausea, and dehydration (I didn't drink enough fluids)
    Sigh....again....anyone seen my brain???
    Oh, yeah, and can get 'chemo brain' --can't remember some things...usually temporary...
    MINE seems to be permanant....MAYBE just old age....sniff....
    NOW add depression...sob...

    Hugs,
    Kathi
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
    #5
    Hi cherri,

    I had chemo/rad in 2002 (many moons ago). The rad gave me more diarrhea than anything else. I took so much Imodium! I worked during all the treatments except the last week. The last week I felt so very tired. During rad I was also tired. I would generally come home after work and take a nap. But I was able to work full time. Definately talk to your docs about the last week. I was exhausted!

    I got a terrible sunburn on my butt. I put all these creams on it. Aquaphor helped the best. It bothered me, but not enough to stop treatment. The burn resolved shortly after the rad was stopped.

    I didn't get much nausea. I found I did better if I grazed all day. I only felt nausea on an empty stomach. I carried food in all my pockets and took bites all day. :)

    Good luck!! Stay strong. jana

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