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Radiation side effects??

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Posted 3/7/2005 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Nancyjo, I saw your question again related to this, and thought you might get more responses if we start a new thread.

Everyone will have different side effects from radiation, ranging from mild to severe.  I consider mine mild, as the skin turned pink and the tissue was tender. No problems other than that. I had no changes in my quality of life. 4 years later, I developed some mild discomfort in my sternum area, that was believed to be arthritic changes secondary to rads.

They try to radiate as minimal of an area as possible. Someone being treated for lung cancer or colon cancer or prostate cancer may have a harder time with it, as they are radiating different organs in the way. The rad onc will try to minimize any unnecssary areas to be hit.

I do not regret radiation for one second. But if you are really opposed to it, that is a reason to consider mast instead. scool

L&H,

Lori

Posted 3/7/2005 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Lori, I'm not opposed to radiation at all, just checking with all of you wonderful people about side effects. Did you have chem also? I find it best to come on this site and let it all out and find out with others here have been through.. He said, she said from people that haven't been there just doesn' t hack it for me. Thanks you again.... I keep checking, time getting closer...., Hugs Nancyjo
Posted 3/7/2005 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I did chemo too. I live close to the facility where I did rads, so that helped. Some people live an hour or more from their facility, making daily trips for 6 weeks almost impossible.

My diagnosis was on a Tuesday. the following Wednesday, I met with the surgeon to go over the path report and get a plan. She had me see an oncologist and rad oncologist, as well as bone scan and other staging tests.

My meetings with the doctors really were more like consults, find out their plan of attack and if I was comfortable with it. You might consider an appt with a rad onc before you make the final decision....weigh that with the pros and cons and the other experiences. Include the scientific and clinical opinions with those of us who have been there done that.

Lori
Posted 3/7/2005 6:34 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Nancyjo!

I had a modified rad mast in 2001, followed by 4 treatments of A/C, 12 treatments of Taxol and 30 radiation treatments. The radiation treatments themselves weren't bad. In fact, once the initial markings were completed, it took me longer to undress and get into the gown than the treatment itself. Unfortunately, I didn't have a top knotch radiation oncologist and I was burned pretty badly after the treatments were completed. This happens to some of us and others don't have any problems. I do have some scar tissue in the area that gives me problems from time to time...tightness, aching...but I have a manipulative therapist that takes all of that away with her "magic hands".

I am glad that you are here and asking questions. There is no better place to get the answers and find out different experiences.

Hugs

Deb

Posted 3/7/2005 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Nancyjo, I had radiation treatments (what now seems like a lifetime ago) in 1996. A lot of the skin on my breast really fell apart toward the end, but I did not have to stop treatments. I came home from work, shed my shirt and bra and pulled on a soft t-shirt. What I also remember was being so darned tired most of the time. The grocery store deli and restaurant take out food became our staple supper suppliers for a while. I usually took a little nap after work before supper and headed for bed early. Good luck with your treatments. I wish you well, Lauri
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