Brain and Spinal Rad really hurts

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Currently I'm receiving brain and spinal radiation treatment and yesterday I went in to the hospital to have a rad mask mold made. I figured that the procedure was similar to general rad treatment but I was wrong. I really didn't know what to expect, someone told me about the treatment except I should've asked questions before the mask making process started, my mistake. I sat on a table face down and the hard part was planting my face on a hard square clear plastic box and once I did, within seconds I immediately felt the pressure on my forehead and chin and my face started hurting really bad. The pain increased once the doctor threw on a warm mold covering my whole head. I wanted to move my head away from the box and tried to swallow but my head was locked in place. The procedure lasted about 20-30min and throughout the whole process I was just in so much pain that I wanted to die.

The doctor told me that the treatment will be only 15min but I'm hoping that it'll be much less. I spoke with another brain cancer survivor who also had brain/spinal rad treatment and he said the treatment is short so I hope it'll be just as fast as regular rad.

artnut · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 9:59 pm Post subject: radiation treatment

My husband is going through radiation for his brain and the first visit is the longest. After that, they usually only last 5 minutes. So don't let it get to you. It does get shorter. Smile

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Yesh today was the actual first day for my brain and spinal treatment and it only took 10-15min plus with the films. I told them that my face was hurting last time and now they padded the plastic with gauze pads, which helps.

artnut

Glad you hear you had a better treatment this time! God bless! Very Happy

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

i just finished my 10day treatment yesterday and I'm glad its done and over with. Hopefully it will be my last treatment that I'll ever need for good! Now I just have to continue eating right and minimize as much sugar intake as possible, meaning no soft drinks at all, no candy, just fruits, veggies, whole grais, and other all-natural goodies!

artnut · Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:17 pm Post subject: I knew you could do it!

Congrats on getting through the treatments ok! Eating healthy will help keep your system strong too.
Artnut

SFGiants13 · Senior User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 121 Location: CA SF

Thanks Artnut! now my mom is trying to make me become a vegetarian but I'm not sure about it since I still enjoy eating meat like pork, rack of lamb, etc. About the treatment, I've been experiencing the side effects such as stomach pains, chest pains, and head pains but they're minor. Just today while I was reading at our family table I oddly noticed pieces of my hair on the table. So I fingered through my hair, looked at my hand and was stunned to find that my hair was falling out, which I knew immediately it was from the radiation. So I shaved my head and I'm bald once again. But I'm hoping that my hair will grow back thicker than before since when my hair grew back after the BMT my hair grew back very fine and curly, which I never had before.

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