Starting radiation tomorrow.....any advice?

AnnLouise
AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member

My radiologist oncologist will do 5 treatments every other day. She will treat my lung tumor and a spot on the abdominal wall that lit up on the pet scan. She couldn't do RFA on the lung because the tumor is on or too near a blood vessel and they were afraid they couldn't get a big enough margin. I think my lung tumor is about 1 cm. I will have a chance to ask questions in the morning before the treatment.....they did the mapping last week. Thank you for any advice, experiences, or questions I should ask.....~ Ann

Comments

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    Hi Ann. I don't know
    Hi Ann. I don't know anything about radiation. Just wanted to say good luck. Is the plan to do RFA once the radiation shrinks the tumor? Hope it goes well. Please let us know. Thanks.

    Chelsea
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    We are sending our thoughts

    We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a great outcome!   I did not do radiation either. Having others sending strength is never a bad thing.

     

    I have acouple of friends whom said it was no big deal.  Another said it took a lot of strength away. Lionel also said in a couple of months he was feeling great again.

    Best Always,  mike

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    Chelsea71 said:

    Hi Ann. I don't know
    Hi Ann. I don't know anything about radiation. Just wanted to say good luck. Is the plan to do RFA once the radiation shrinks the tumor? Hope it goes well. Please let us know. Thanks.

    Chelsea

    Thanks, Chelsea

    Good question.....they were going to do RFA but because they didn't think they could get large enough margins they thought it might grow back, especially being on a blood vessel, but if the tumor shrunk, it might be an option. Thanks for the support. -~ Ann

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    thxmiker said:

    We are sending our thoughts

    We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a great outcome!   I did not do radiation either. Having others sending strength is never a bad thing.

     

    I have acouple of friends whom said it was no big deal.  Another said it took a lot of strength away. Lionel also said in a couple of months he was feeling great again.

    Best Always,  mike

    Thanks, Mike....

    Sending strength is a great thing!!! I haven't had the external radiation although I did have SIRT in Nov. and Dec with good results, so I am hoping for good results with this treatment. Thanks again ...~Ann

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    thxmiker said:

    We are sending our thoughts

    We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a great outcome!   I did not do radiation either. Having others sending strength is never a bad thing.

     

    I have acouple of friends whom said it was no big deal.  Another said it took a lot of strength away. Lionel also said in a couple of months he was feeling great again.

    Best Always,  mike

    AnnLouise

    Lung cancer, not colon, but hubby finished up with 10 days of rads about 12 days ago. No bad side effects so far, except a little pain in the tumor area and extreme fatigue. Docs preferred no surgery as tumor is very close to his pacemaker/defib and no lymph nodes lit up on scan.

    Hoping all goes smoothly and painlessly for you.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    wolfen said:

    AnnLouise

    Lung cancer, not colon, but hubby finished up with 10 days of rads about 12 days ago. No bad side effects so far, except a little pain in the tumor area and extreme fatigue. Docs preferred no surgery as tumor is very close to his pacemaker/defib and no lymph nodes lit up on scan.

    Hoping all goes smoothly and painlessly for you.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

    Thanks, Wolfen.....

    Hope your hubby is doing o.k., you have gone through so much lately. I appreciate your information....and positive thoughts.  -~Ann

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Hi Ann:)

    Yes, I have done radiation - for rectal and lung tumor...

    For the lung tumor they used IMRT radiation...30 tx over 6-weeks with 5fu pump 24/7 as an adjuvant treatment. 

    I had alot of fatigue....soreness in the area where the beam touched...and some skin discoloration and burning.  They prescribed a cream (I'll have to check the med cab to get name) but that helped keep the skin somewhat supple and eased the burning.

    I had already done a full thoracotomy but the tumor was so big it had embedded itself into my rib cage and was cutting off my breathing and I was doubled over in pain towards the end.  My tumor size was pretty big for that area...4cm x 6cm.

    It had situated itself in very close proximity to my spine, so my surgeon did not want to risk paralysis, so he got as far as he could that way....and since it was in my ribs, the surgeon sawed 2 of those out to prevent the spread that way.

    They were still unable to get clear margins due to the tumor size and location, so that necessitated the radiation treatment and 12tx of Folfiri with 5fu. 

    I've had cancer 3x, Ann...got clear 3x...currently in the longest remissive streak of my entire 9-years...sitting now at 21-months out of my last treatment.

    Fatigue is going to be the biggest thing...and when it comes...I have but one word for you....REST....REST.....REST.

    Okay, that was 3:)

    Just rest when you need to...I drove myself to and from the treatments (70 miles roundtrip) and could drive home and nibble on something and then take a long nap...

    You're "fresh" out of the box, so you are in good position for this treatment - and will bounce back pretty quick.  Radiation is a cumulative treatment and the toxicity builds up progressively as the treatments are given.  You will still probably feel fatigued when treatment ends...it can take a month to six-weeks to flush those effects out of your system and start to feel better. 

    I'm a little curious about how they are going to administer your radiation though - 5tx every other day?

    Standard protocol is generally 1 tx daily over a 5-6 week period from what I've done or read....

    This is interesting...perhaps you could ask more about this? 

    Wishing you well!

    -Craig

     

  • YoVita
    YoVita Member Posts: 590 Member
    Radiation treatment

    I too had radiation treatment but in the pelvic area for my rectal cancer.  That created major side effects in my digestive system - which - hopefully - you won't have to worry about.  If you do because of the treatment to the abdominal wall - make sure you alert your doctor to any digestive side effects, which can be treated with immodium-type medicine.  Like others have said, fatigue does set in, it's cumulative and does continue after treatment ends.  I was able to drive myself to treatment for the entire six weeks.

    Best, Vita 

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hi Ann:)

    Yes, I have done radiation - for rectal and lung tumor...

    For the lung tumor they used IMRT radiation...30 tx over 6-weeks with 5fu pump 24/7 as an adjuvant treatment. 

    I had alot of fatigue....soreness in the area where the beam touched...and some skin discoloration and burning.  They prescribed a cream (I'll have to check the med cab to get name) but that helped keep the skin somewhat supple and eased the burning.

    I had already done a full thoracotomy but the tumor was so big it had embedded itself into my rib cage and was cutting off my breathing and I was doubled over in pain towards the end.  My tumor size was pretty big for that area...4cm x 6cm.

    It had situated itself in very close proximity to my spine, so my surgeon did not want to risk paralysis, so he got as far as he could that way....and since it was in my ribs, the surgeon sawed 2 of those out to prevent the spread that way.

    They were still unable to get clear margins due to the tumor size and location, so that necessitated the radiation treatment and 12tx of Folfiri with 5fu. 

    I've had cancer 3x, Ann...got clear 3x...currently in the longest remissive streak of my entire 9-years...sitting now at 21-months out of my last treatment.

    Fatigue is going to be the biggest thing...and when it comes...I have but one word for you....REST....REST.....REST.

    Okay, that was 3:)

    Just rest when you need to...I drove myself to and from the treatments (70 miles roundtrip) and could drive home and nibble on something and then take a long nap...

    You're "fresh" out of the box, so you are in good position for this treatment - and will bounce back pretty quick.  Radiation is a cumulative treatment and the toxicity builds up progressively as the treatments are given.  You will still probably feel fatigued when treatment ends...it can take a month to six-weeks to flush those effects out of your system and start to feel better. 

    I'm a little curious about how they are going to administer your radiation though - 5tx every other day?

    Standard protocol is generally 1 tx daily over a 5-6 week period from what I've done or read....

    This is interesting...perhaps you could ask more about this? 

    Wishing you well!

    -Craig

     

    Thanks for all the information and personal experiences....

    Just got home from #1 treatment......all went well. Didn't talk to the doctor but will keep a notebook with questions. Thanks for bringing up the protocol.....at first she was going to do it every day and then changed it to every other day. I had SIRT in Nov. and Dec.( clear liver).This doctor did that so I really have faith in her and she is very open to questions. Congratulation on 21 months......that is so inspiring for me! You have been through so much, you deserve it. I was clear(CEA of 1) for 2 months after my liver resection and then the liver tumors came back. Thanks again for your response....~ Ann

  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    AnnLouise said:

    Thanks for all the information and personal experiences....

    Just got home from #1 treatment......all went well. Didn't talk to the doctor but will keep a notebook with questions. Thanks for bringing up the protocol.....at first she was going to do it every day and then changed it to every other day. I had SIRT in Nov. and Dec.( clear liver).This doctor did that so I really have faith in her and she is very open to questions. Congratulation on 21 months......that is so inspiring for me! You have been through so much, you deserve it. I was clear(CEA of 1) for 2 months after my liver resection and then the liver tumors came back. Thanks again for your response....~ Ann

    Hi Ann. So you've got one
    Hi Ann. So you've got one session under your belt. I'm pleased that it went well. Thanks for letting us know.

    Chelsea
  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    YoVita said:

    Radiation treatment

    I too had radiation treatment but in the pelvic area for my rectal cancer.  That created major side effects in my digestive system - which - hopefully - you won't have to worry about.  If you do because of the treatment to the abdominal wall - make sure you alert your doctor to any digestive side effects, which can be treated with immodium-type medicine.  Like others have said, fatigue does set in, it's cumulative and does continue after treatment ends.  I was able to drive myself to treatment for the entire six weeks.

    Best, Vita 

    Thank you, Vita

    Thanks for your personal experience .....I will definitely watch for digestive problems. It is good to know that the fatigue continues after treatment ends. Love your picture!  ~ Ann

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    AnnLouise said:

    Thanks for all the information and personal experiences....

    Just got home from #1 treatment......all went well. Didn't talk to the doctor but will keep a notebook with questions. Thanks for bringing up the protocol.....at first she was going to do it every day and then changed it to every other day. I had SIRT in Nov. and Dec.( clear liver).This doctor did that so I really have faith in her and she is very open to questions. Congratulation on 21 months......that is so inspiring for me! You have been through so much, you deserve it. I was clear(CEA of 1) for 2 months after my liver resection and then the liver tumors came back. Thanks again for your response....~ Ann

    Hey Ann:)

    Thought I would mention that I'm 3-months shy of making it 9-years out of Dx...

    I have had to fight most of that time...the 21-months clear (at this time) is the longest remissive streak I've ever experienced in the entire 9-years.....even in my first year when we thought we were done...I only got about 12-months.

    So, sometimes we just have to keep beating on the thing and taking out as much with each pass that we get...the third time may have just finally worked for me.  I did 51x chemo / 55x radiation / 3x Cyberknife / and 4-major surgeries to get me to where I am:)

    Anyway, I thought if 21-months tickled you....I thought 9-years and still going strong would make you delirious:)

    Just wanted you to feel a little bit better...I'm still working full-time too:)

    I want to hear more about what your doc thinks, so you come back, you hear?

    :)

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member
    Sundanceh said:

    Hey Ann:)

    Thought I would mention that I'm 3-months shy of making it 9-years out of Dx...

    I have had to fight most of that time...the 21-months clear (at this time) is the longest remissive streak I've ever experienced in the entire 9-years.....even in my first year when we thought we were done...I only got about 12-months.

    So, sometimes we just have to keep beating on the thing and taking out as much with each pass that we get...the third time may have just finally worked for me.  I did 51x chemo / 55x radiation / 3x Cyberknife / and 4-major surgeries to get me to where I am:)

    Anyway, I thought if 21-months tickled you....I thought 9-years and still going strong would make you delirious:)

    Just wanted you to feel a little bit better...I'm still working full-time too:)

    I want to hear more about what your doc thinks, so you come back, you hear?

    :)

    I am delirious, Craig !

    What an inspiration ....although you have been through so much! Your 9 years is what inspires me.....I have 5 children, youngest a Junior in High School, and have so much to live for! Thanks for making me delirious and I will keep you updated...~ Ann

  • devotion10
    devotion10 Member Posts: 623 Member
    Just wishing you the best as you move forward ...

    please keep us informed on how you fare with your radiation treatments. -- Cynthia

     

    The most genuine acts of kindness are done without fanfare and when no one is looking.

     

  • AnnLouise
    AnnLouise Member Posts: 276 Member

    Just wishing you the best as you move forward ...

    please keep us informed on how you fare with your radiation treatments. -- Cynthia

     

    The most genuine acts of kindness are done without fanfare and when no one is looking.

     

    Thank you Cynthia.....

    The positive thoughts mean so much to me.....I will update....thanks-~ Ann