| Joined: May 2014 Posts: 1 Member | OP Member Joined: May 2014 Posts: 1 | Hi I am new here and going to be getting rt. How does it feel each day after? | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Jawwayne, It usually takes 10-14 days for the radiation effects to start, but everyone is different, and if you're having chemo, their effects start after a few days, some overnight, and with Chemoradiation the toxicities are greater. Radiation and chemo basically have some of the same side effects. Besides personal experiences, you can read all about radiation, and side effects at the below OCF link. You can make a post of your own, and get more responses. Good luck. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/treatment/radiation.php
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Welcome to OCF!
Best thing I can tell you is your intake will play a pivotal role in how well you handle and feel after having rads. Every single day you need to take in a minimum of 2500+ calories and 48-64+ oz of water. These are the bare minimums. The more you can do the better you will feel, especially if you can take in 64 oz of water every day. This is even more important if you will be having chemo.
Not everyone has a hard time, some sail right thru. Most of us began to feel crappy and super tired about week 3 or 4. Rads gets progressively more difficult as you go thru it, with the very worst being the first 2 or 3 weeks after you finish your treatments. Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who sail right thru it barely noticing any side effects. Just remember you hold the key to being one of the lucky ones.... your intake!
Stick with us and we will help you get thru everything. Best wishes!!! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Hi Jawwayne: We all wondered the same questions as you before treatment began. Like said above everyone is different, I had no real symptoms until about week six of seven. My doc said I was very lucky as most people are pretty uncomfortable by the end of week 3.
Since we are all different and there is really no way to tell how it will be for you, it might be best to just wait and let it arrive when and if it does. No matter what, you are going to go through the treatment and endure whatever happens, so why worry about it now.
We all got through it and you will too.
Stay strong, stop worrying
Tony
Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)
09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0. 11/13 start rads, no chemo 12/13 taste gone, dry mouth, 02/14 hair slowly returning 05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps. 01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter. 12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good
| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | Hi Jawwayne
I finished RT (no chemo) 8 days ago. The side effects don't all happen at once and don't really kick in till week 3. My advice is to tell the radiation therapists as soon as you feel the effects so that they send you to the nurses for medication. Ask for help with the side effects and doctors and nurses will be only too happy to supply what you need. They like to get people through the treatment with minimal discomfort. Christine's advice above about food and drink is also valuable and there will be a dietitian in your treatment team who will make a big fuss about your weight and what you're consuming. Take all advice, even when your taste goes and you have to drink lots of Ensure! Hope it goes well:)
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol. September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision. October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT. February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
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