IMRT Radiation Therapy

LumpinmyThroat
LumpinmyThroat Member Posts: 98
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

In early August, my husband will start 6 weeks of IMRT (possibly proton if the insurance company approves the appeal) of his tracheal area at MD Anderson in Houston.  The on-site hotel there does not offer a monthly rate and is $120/night, so I am looking at alternative lodging with shuttle service to the hospital.

My question is, for those of you who have been through this type of radiation, how is he going to feel?  Will he be readily able to go to his appointments by waiting for a shuttle and being driven?  What's it going to be like for him without help there?

Comments

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #2
    MDA

    Hoping he can get proton therapy with fewer effects. The IRMT can be a bear. Everyone tolerates differently but midpoint, IRMT took its toll on me, however, I guess I could have mustered up the energy to get on a shuttle and get to tx. I also had SBRT at Mayo twice. It is a targeted radiation like proton therapy. During those treatments, I went shopping, to the movies, out to eat, etc. SBRT takes 5 days opposed to 7 weeks of proton so not sure of the diff there.  I would fight like heck for the proton therapy vs. IRMT since MDA feels it is a good option. Much less damage to surrounding good tissue and long term effects.

    At Mayo. they offer special hotel rates for Mayo patients and weekend rates are much less expensive, so you will want to ask.

    If tx is IRMT, pack comfy clothes, easy on & off. I had so little energy, I would have gone in my pjs if I could have.  

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    It's so hard to predict

    how one person will feel compared to another.  Is he going to be getting chemo during rads?  My husband's main job during my treatment was to get me to and from radiation everyday and chemo (only every 3 weeks).  Getting to the car and into the buildings was no problem at all....I was tired and weak, but as long as I didn't have to do the driving I was ok.  Rads only take 10 to 20 minutes.....it's being alone the rest of the day that would concern me.....His main "job" during those hours is to take in as much hydration and nutrition as he can, and my tendency would be to sleep most of it away, from the 3rd week of treatment or so......having my husband around kept me more active, and he'd prod me into eating or pour food down my tube.  Or he'd make me some scrambled eggs or a bowl of soup (cooking for myself was not something I'd do for myself).

    Maybe this is something to take one day at a time......the alone part, I mean.  He'll probably do fine at first, but he may need help the last half of rads.

    p 

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #4
    I Had IMRT

    LumpinmyThroat,

    Nearly 10 yrs ago, I had IMRT as that was the only option of Radiation the Hospital had to offer. I can NOT speak on Proton or SBRT Radiation. Several factors are in play with the situation of how your husband will react to his radiation treatments. Prannie mentioned a big one, Chemo, if he receives Chemo with the Radiation, it will more then likely tire him out faster then just receiving Radiation. I can not speak on that either as I only had Radiation for 7 weeks.

    I was able to drive myself to my treatments that were 30 miles away, some days it was a 35 minute ride, other days it was a 90 minute drive as the traffic was iffy at most. A lot depends on his age and health, I was 57 when I did my treatments. The first several weeks were not too bad, but fatigue did start to come in week 4 or 5. I was able to continue to drive each day, but when I got home, I would take a nap in the afternoon.

    As far as food, I had Base of Tongue cancer and a PEG Tube, so, I fed myself thru the PEG each day, no cooking involved. After my Trach was removed I was able to eat soft foods, which I could rustle up, scrambled eggs, oat meal, soups, etc.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #5
    I had 35 imrt rad tx.  the

    I had 35 imrt rad tx.  the only problem i had was a bad burn on my neck.  i used aquafor and that took care of it right away.  i was able to do anything i wanted as far as energy goes.  praying for smooth tx for your husband.

    God bless you,

    dj

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #6
    AirBnB

    I took quick look on AirBnb for rooms in August in downtown Houston. There are many options for under $50 and likely even better if you commit weekly or even for a month. Hopefully that will make the costs much easier and more comfortable sharing a house rather than a hotel room.

    Check with MDA for options to get transport. Also ACS offers some options. Look for a local cancer support org and see what they have. There are definately options where volunteers offer drive services just for this sort of thing.

     

    Good luck

  • LumpinmyThroat
    LumpinmyThroat Member Posts: 98
    #7
    Update

    I found some corporate apartments within a mile of the hospital that are fully furnished, on the hospital shuttle route, and in gated communities with ammenities for $2,500/mo or $80/night.  That is very doable for us and gives me a level of comfort knowing he will be in a place he feels is clean and secure.  From there he will have the option to drive or take the shuttle to his treatments.  I hope his goes as well as some of yours did!  He will be doing a low dose of chemo concurrently, so I know he will have his hard days/weeks.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #8
    rads

    Lumpinmythroat,

    Based on the simplicity of your question and based on my own front row experience, I say he iis going to feel normal, but funky weird.  It is a slow progression until week 3 when discomfort speeds up.  Yes, he can ride a shuttle, that would probably be pretty nice.  I am sure there is help there if he can make it   to the rad place he is golden.  The same goes for his return trip, he will be ok.

    Now if you throw chemo in the mix, comfort may be a challenge.

    Matt

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