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BJK
New User
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 5
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 Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: Radiation therapy questions |
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I just had my first chemo treatment on Thursday. I found out that the whole treatment process will take 4.5 months. It's day 3 now and I already have felt quite bad. The Doctor said that 3.5 months will be chemotherapy, and 4 weeks will be radiation therapy. They said since the cancer is jus tin my right arm, that is the only area that will be targeted. I didn't get to talk to him that long, and there were many questions, specifically about radiation therapy that I had questions about.
- How many radiation therapy treatments are typically done in 4 weeks?
- How long does each radiation therapy treatment take?
- What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
- From experiences, observations, and research - What is worse out of chemo and radiation?
Right now from the chemo I am feeling very weak, tired, drained, and have a horrible metal-ish taste in my mouth. Is there anything that others have done to better cope with these side-effects? |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3930
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject: Re: Radiation therapy questions |
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Hi BJK, I am glad your treatment has begun and am not at all surprised that you have a questions about it. You should ask your doctors for specific answers. For example, the side effects of radiation really depends on how much the dosage is for each session. It can be anything from not even noticeable to a sunburn type of reaction.
BJK, you are in my thoughts and my prayers. Keep us informed as your treatment progresses.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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jfkbluecircle
Experienced user
Joined: 30 Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject: Weird taste, fatigue, etc. |
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Hi, BJK,
If I recall, you mentioned you were getting Adriamycin (the 'red stuff' in the giant syringe)?
It was part of my chemo protocol, too, and my doctor said that it may give me a lingering weird metallic taste, and it did. Nothing tasted right while I was going through chemo (I know your drugs are slightly different). Lots of fluids while you are hooked up, in addition to the saline drip I am sure they give you, too, helped to minimize the taste for me. I would recommend cold water or ice.
Another poster in this section of the website recommended chewing gum, but for mouth discomfort and sores.
I did not have radiation, but I am sure someone else will respond to your aptly titled post.
Rest as much as you can; I know you are used to being very active from what you've written in other posts, so that's probably not what you want to read from anyone. Your body needs time between treatments to recover and regain its defenses. Resting as much as possible will help with that.
Four and a half months will put you into October/November? Why not spend time researching a celebratory trip to see the leaves or go to a beach, or just be out in nature after this is all behind you, if that's something you like to do? I know it helped me a great deal to have a calendar with the last tx date circled, starred, exclamation pointed, etc. I planned a trip with my family that was amazing and it gave me something rewarding to look forward to.
Hang in there and keep us posted on how things go.
My very best to you,
Jessica |
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