Radiotherapy is next on the agenda

@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
November 2, 2017 8:18am CST
I recently posted that I was being referred to a radiotherapy specialist to decide on future treatment. Earlier this week I had a telephone call asking me to attend Royal Oldham Hospital for an appointment, which was scheduled for yesterday. It has now been confirmed that I shall have radiotherapy treatment on my lungs and brain. These will be separate treatments, but both taking part on the same visit. This will be quite an intense course involving treatment 5 days a week for 2 weeks. There are several side effects involved in this, but the one that the doctor stressed most was serious tiredness. I am already extremely tired and weary most days, initially from the cancer and then as a side effect of chemotherapy, so becoming more so could prove quite a problem.
28 people like this
28 responses
@MALUSE (69373)
• Germany
2 Nov 17
All the best to you! Sleep as much as you need, eat healthy food and go for short walks to get through this exhausting cure.
6 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
The amount of sleep available will depend on what time of day my treatment is. If I am up early for 10 days out of 12 it will be difficult.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
2 Nov 17
Radiation is NO where near chemo, this is mild, a walk in the park! Tony had 34 treatments of radiation, 5 days a week and the worst of his was a red spot on his back. Tony is 5 months in remission for this same treatment, he has/had stage 4 lung cancer with a liver tumor. I do not recall what type of cancer you have, but this therapy works. I do not think it can get any worst than the chemo, that is some evil stuff.
5 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
Mine is lung cancer, specifically single cell cancer.
1 person likes this
@LilyBeBack (1994)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 17
Good luck with everything, it will be difficult in all kinds of ways but take all the help you can get, don't stay quiet, and you will get through it My grandad had to have radiotherapy this year for bowel cancer and it did make him quite ill but he's recently got the all clear and he's fully recovered now
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
The radiotherapy to the head is what I expect will cause me most problems.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
@LilyBeBack Excessive worrying would certainly not help. At least the time frame has been good so far, which I was concerned may have been a problem.
3 people like this
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 17
@Asylum Yeah that's probably right, but just do your very best not to worry too much (sorry I know that sounds stupid because of course you'll worry, but you know what I mean) and focus on good health and positivity I'd recommend positive affirmations and visualisation, they can be extremely useful
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (470823)
• Switzerland
2 Nov 17
I can only suggest the same as @MALUSE, try to rest as much as you can. Being tired all the time is an annoying side effect, but at least the radiotherapy treatment should not involve needles and other torture instruments.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
That was my first question, "How many needles are involved?". To my delight the answer was "None".
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
@LadyDuck Anything that does not involve needles is an improvement.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (470823)
• Switzerland
2 Nov 17
@Asylum It's a big improvement from chemotherapy.
2 people like this
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Nov 17
That is a difficult course of treatment, but necessary, I'm sure. I am wishing you strength to get through it wwith minimum problems and a return of the energy needed to win your battle!
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
I have rather lost hope of any significant improvement.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic At the moment, but getting close to giving up.
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Nov 17
@Asylum I am sorry that things seem hopeless, but you are fighting at least.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
2 Nov 17
Wow that's a lot and to go every day, I hope you have a friend who can help with all that. Take care and get some rest.
4 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
It is likely to be a really demanding during the second week.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
3 Nov 17
@Asylum I imagine so
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (91970)
• United States
2 Nov 17
Do you have someone around to help you out?
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
My brother comes over twice a week and I have good neighbours.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
2 Nov 17
Oh Have a good rest and get well soon! Wish for your full recovery
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
I cannot really anticipate a full recovery, but any improvement would be welcome.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
@m_audrey6788 So do I.
1 person likes this
• Germany
2 Nov 17
@Asylum I hope you`ll feel better
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (179752)
• United States
3 Nov 17
I just hope it works! God Bless! They are pretty sure my dad has cancer for the second time. He has a biopsy on the 16th..I just hope it can be treated without having to resort to sugery as the last time it was a nightmare and this could be worse..
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
Only time will tell if it is successful or not.
@kevin1877uk (36988)
2 Nov 17
Sorry to hear Barry. I know you left a comment on one of my post about what's happened to you, but can I find it lol.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
The hardest treatment so far was the chemotherapy. I have a major hate of needles, so having to have a cannula fitted each time was a nightmare.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
@kevin1877uk Exactly. I have known occasions where it has taken 5 attempts to fit the cannula.
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
3 Nov 17
@Asylum I'm sure it was. especially if you get a nurse who can't do it right and misses the vein
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
2 Nov 17
I really hope it goes well and they are good to you at Oldham. Sleep can be a rebuilding if it means you sleep more than normal well I guess that is part of the treatment. At this time of the year right into the last part of December it's darker anyway so if you are able to sleep your tiredness away well maybe that will be a good thing.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
A lot depends on the time of the appointments. If I have to be up early each day then compensating my sleeping early is not so easy.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
@Bluedoll Quite likely.
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
3 Nov 17
@Asylum sounds like you will be napping
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Nov 17
Think of it as a two-week long nap and just use it to restore yourself, basically, mentally and emotionally. You have many friends on here praying and pulling for you and many of us would gladly take some of the burden away from you if it was possible. Know that you are loved and cared about and let that help you keep your spirits up no matter how tired you get.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
6 Nov 17
These days leaving the house fore any reason seems a great burden, so it will not constitute a rest.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
8 Nov 17
@BelleStarr I am off to the Royal Oldham hospital today to have a mask fitted, which should prove interesting.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
7 Nov 17
@Asylum I really wish I lived closer, I would drive you or the very least make you smile during the commute. A burden shared is always lighter.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 17
I'm sorry that you are having to go through this, but radiation is painless. My husband had to have a course last year and each session only lasted 5 minutes. I hope it's the same for you.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
The preparation is apparently about 30 minutes and 5 minutes of actual radiotherapy. Of course in my case it will be 5 minutes for each of head and lungs, making 10 minutes in all.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
2 Nov 17
@Asylum Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (54981)
2 Nov 17
I think there has been improvement since your first post about your condition. The radiotherapy will not be easy, but it is another step on the way to recovery - try to stay strong and positive.
3 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
2 Nov 17
It is good to have treatment that does not involve needles or cannulas.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Nov 17
Do you have an agency such as one that I work at to help you out at home? I know you have said your brother helps out as well as your neighbors too. The services of Visiting Nurses would be helpful to you. Our agency provides personal care services, housekeeping, and cooking meals as well.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
4 Nov 17
No, assistance with such tasks ceased here a long time ago.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Nov 17
@Asylum I am sorry to hear that.
1 person likes this
• Pamplona, Spain
2 Nov 17
Sending all best thoughts so that you can get through all of that. Needles are something I do not mind actually but its the other stuff that I might mind more like the chemo. Will be thinking of you.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
@lovinangelsinstead21 The chemotherapy is finished for the present.
• Pamplona, Spain
3 Nov 17
@Asylum Maybe they will reduce the amount then. I really hope so for you.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Nov 17
Yes, whether you get this treatment or any other treatment, being tired is part of fighting cancer. So get your rest, it is one of many ways the body heals.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
7 Nov 17
It seems as though I have been permanently tired this year.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
8 Nov 17
@Carmelanirel2 The majority of my time is spent watching television.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Nov 17
@Asylum I'm sorry, I know that has to be frustrating. I know it is really frustrating for my friend because she was very active and a dancer like myself, I can't even imagine not having energy for so long. So I hope you are surrounding yourself with positive people, to keep you from getting too sad about it.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
3 Nov 17
Good thoughts sent your way. I am sorry you have to go through all this, but it will be worth it if it will put you in remission.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
Very true, but it is not guaranteed to have such a result.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
@Srbageldog I am hoping so.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Nov 17
@Asylum We can hope it will.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317004)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Nov 17
I'm glad it will only be for two weeks.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
5 Nov 17
So am I because even 2 weeks will seem a long while.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317004)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Nov 17
@Asylum I'm sure it will seem like a long time.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Nov 17
I will continue keeping you in my prayers.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 17
I believe that my condition is beyond that.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
13 Nov 17
@Jeanniemaries Are you still up in Ohio?
• United States
5 Nov 17
@Asylum Yes, but for the treatment, difficulties, remission time, etc. No one is beyond prayer.
1 person likes this