Anyone have Radiation?

I met with the surgeon yesterday and it looks as though I have to have 2 weeks of radiation before they'll do surgery. I gather my tumor is in a very awkward position, and they're hoping to shrink it before they go in to remove it. I know I'm lucky to get away with only 2 weeks as the normal course of treatment is 5-6 weeks. I guess because I have a grade one cancer and it grows and divides so slowly, they need to administer radiation slowly. My question is, how bad are the side effects? I know what they tell you, but I want the truth...be honest!
Thanks,
Becky

[coogeegirl]

Hi Becky

I had six weeks of radiation finished in July 07. I am not exactly sure where your tumour is but my radiation was concentrated on the bowel due to the fact that when they removed my ovary it was attached to my bowel.

All in all I found radiation is a lot easier than chemo. The main sideffects that I have had is fatigue (I think that is a combinatiuo of the radiation and having to go to the hospital everyday besides weekends) and of course diarrhea due to the fact all my treatment was concentrated on the bowel.

The diarrhea has been the thing that has been the hardest to manage as I have found even now that my bowel is still going through the healing stage and of course during treatment walking down the street with my husband then suddenly having to run to find a toilet was a challenge. (This is where immodium comes in handy).

I think after the chemo you have been through you will find radiation quite easy to manage.

hugs from downunder

Jenny

[coogeegirl]

Hi Becky

I had six weeks of radiation finished in July 07. I am not exactly sure where your tumour is but my radiation was concentrated on the bowel due to the fact that when they removed my ovary it was attached to my bowel.

All in all I found radiation is a lot easier than chemo. The main sideffects that I have had is fatigue (I think that is a combinatiuo of the radiation and having to go to the hospital everyday besides weekends) and of course diarrhea due to the fact all my treatment was concentrated on the bowel.

The diarrhea has been the thing that has been the hardest to manage as I have found even now that my bowel is still going through the healing stage and of course during treatment walking down the street with my husband then suddenly having to run to find a toilet was a challenge. (This is where immodium comes in handy).

I think after the chemo you have been through you will find radiation quite easy to manage.

hugs from downunder

Jenny

[coogeegirl]

Hi Becky

I had six weeks of radiation finished in July 07. I am not exactly sure where your tumour is but my radiation was concentrated on the bowel due to the fact that when they removed my ovary it was attached to my bowel.

All in all I found radiation is a lot easier than chemo. The main sideffects that I have had is fatigue (I think that is a combinatiuo of the radiation and having to go to the hospital everyday besides weekends) and of course diarrhea due to the fact all my treatment was concentrated on the bowel.

The diarrhea has been the thing that has been the hardest to manage as I have found even now that my bowel is still going through the healing stage and of course during treatment walking down the street with my husband then suddenly having to run to find a toilet was a challenge. (This is where immodium comes in handy).

I think after the chemo you have been through you will find radiation quite easy to manage.

hugs from downunder

Jenny

[newlifegal]

I think it depends on what area of the body is going to receive the radiation.  I had 3 weeks of whole brain radiation for brain mets and it was relatively easy.  I did end up losing the hearing out of my right ear because it did perforate my eardrum.  I also lost my hair, in fact, it is now thin, curly and blonde.  I remember a general sense of fatigue as the day progressed.  I had no nausea but I think that was because of my steroid use.  I'm still on a low dose of steroids and am trying to slowly taper off of them.   I am so tired of the Cushing look and the 20 lb weight gain!

[balletfan]

Hello.
I had six weeks of whole abdominal  radiation therapy after being diagnosed with ovca stage 3c in Dec. 2004, at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.It followed neoadjuvant chemo ,hysterectomy, more chemo, and then the radiation.

Truthfully I found it difficult, but limited to two weeks you will be fine.I had to take a two week break due to toxicity, and when we resumed the radiation it was confined to the pelvis, not the whole abdominal cavity.

I could have handled two weeks ...they are wonderful at P.M.H. and I had great confidence  in their ability to reassure me when things got tough.


Hang in there. and go for it!

Cheers, Anne

[stephers1]

Hi I also had radiation to my hip for 10 days and to my pelvis for 5 days on 2 seperate occasions. I must agree with coogeegirl that pretty much sums up my experience to a tee. The worst part was getting a ride through Calgary traffic everyday. I felt a little tired, but I still went to Stampede and had plenty of energy to go shopping and play with my little nephew. I got diarehhea but it came after a few treatments like 6 or so for me. But like coogeegirl they hit my bowel. But I went camping anyhow. So really when I look back it was not that bad. But for me the diarehhea was not just runny stool it was fairly violent contractions...Sorry for the graphics
I hope you are doing well. I'll pray for you!!

[whitedove2]

I had a total abd. hyst. in august 07, the bleeding bowel,abdominal pain,painful sex, and now abnormal pap. Does this sound bad?