Started Radiotherapy

[MyJewelz]

Hey everyone,
I started my RT today, had my 1st of 15 treatments about 2.5 hrs ago, I took 1, 8mg Zofran pill 1hr prior to treatment and im still feeling good...for now. The treatment is given to my para-aortic area front and back. Every time i hear the machine buzzing i close my eyes and say "Die you little Bastards!!!!!" I will try to keep a log and keep you posted on my progress
Till tomorrow

Be well

Rob

[Smartie]

Every time i hear the machine buzzing i close my eyes and say "Die you little Bastards!!!!!"

Nice one, Rob!



Best of luck for the rest of the treatment - I'm sure you'll do fine.

[WilliamCT]

Great, sounds like you're well on your way!

[Aegletes]

Rob,
If your experience is like mine, the Zofran will be a big help. You'll do just fine.
Alex

[LBu]

Hi Rob
You ve certainly got the right attitude towards it!
All the very best with your treatments.
Karen.

[rjs]

Ah, yes that little buzz sound when the machine turns on. I will never forget that. Looks like you are on your way to getting this behind you and are taking on a great attitude. Keep it going.

It took me a few sessions before I started to feel any affects. I was actually able to stay off any meds, but the effects are cumulative so just keep resting and stay positive through the next few weeks.

[Sans rt1]

Your description brings back memories. The sound and machine - the whole process of checking in, changing, waiting room with other various patients, setting up and the quick treatment, then changing and going home. The queasiness and fatigue, aversions to certain foods and smells, cravings for others. Going to work, trying to live a normal life during all of it, was a bit surreal.

I hope your side-effects are minimal. Take care of yourself, eat well (meaning good balanced nutritious food, drink lots of fluids), rest, listen to your body. But, but even if you are feeling tired, do remember to exercise and stretch - your body is being damaged each day, and the normal tissues are healing, so mild exercise, making sure to cover the back and abs, to move and stretch those muscles will help them heal. Don't overdo.

But, it will soon be behind you - and you will be on the road to a cure.

[MyJewelz]

Treatment 2 and 3 are done, I have not had any severe naussea yet, my doctor told me if i haven't had any naussea up until now that he does not forsee it being a problem going on, I am taking that with a grain of salt, from all that i have read you cant be too sure what will happen so I am keeping my Zofran close by, I have been napping every day I think that has helped alot so far

~Rob

[MyJewelz]

Sorry that I haven't kept you up to date with my treatments, I am on my way to being finished, today is the 14th RT session and Sunday is the last one. I have not had any major side effects, mild nausea which the Zofran takes care of, my appetite has not subsided but i did notice that my acid reflux/heartburn is acting up more than usual, i blame that on my diet and time of eating meals, oh yeah and the constipation is a pain in the butt, i have been taking Colace for that. I'll be glad when i put all of this behind me and start focusing on getting back to a normal less stressfull lifestyle.

This has been my friend for the last 3 weeks and I won't miss her when she's gone!!!!!!!!!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c73/ducman998/100_1250.jpg

I wish all of you a Happy Holiday and a Prosperous New Year
Be well

Rob

[btp]

MyJewelz - thanks for posting your experience with RT. I also had seminoma, and I am wrestling over choosing between RT and Carboplatin. Did you have a choice too? If so, what were your personal reasons for choosing RT?

Thanks!

BTP

[Totally]

Please have your heart monitored. If you had radiation anywhere near your heart, you will probably suffer from permanent side effects. I am a walking example of what happens. In 1972, cobalt treatments were required near my aorta. Subsquently, in saving my life from TC, I ended up with fried arteries. I had a heart attack and needed a triple by-pass surgery.
The latest thing is coronary inefficiency, due to the damage, and it is all exacerbated by fried lymph nodes which affects my overall body and how fluid is cleansed and gotten rid of.
The old "damned if you don't, damned if you do."......

[Aegean]

Please have your heart monitored. If you had radiation anywhere near your heart, you will probably suffer from permanent side effects. I am a walking example of what happens. In 1972, cobalt treatments were required near my aorta. Subsquently, in saving my life from TC, I ended up with fried arteries. I had a heart attack and needed a triple by-pass surgery.
The latest thing is coronary inefficiency, due to the damage, and it is all exacerbated by fried lymph nodes which affects my overall body and how fluid is cleansed and gotten rid of.
The old "damned if you don't, damned if you do."......

This is one question that I had asked many times. These days the RT is limited to the immidiate area where the TC may jump to such as the groin, pelvis and ower abdomen. The machines are also much more accurate than those in the 70's.

This is not to say that you do not run the risks, just that they have been reduced as the protocal and the technology hve both improved... as they will again in another 30 years.