Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Likes: 1 | Sherry, I know you're scared but I want you to take heart in this: many, many of us have gone through what you're experiencing and we're here to help you. The operative words there are "we're here". (and the helping part is true too!)
Cheryl's advice is great and very complete. There are tons of threads here about all aspects of the radiation experience. Since you're starting RT in a week now would be a good time to search through those threads. I recommend that you do it in small doses - 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. This can easily get overwhelming and make things even scarier. Which is the last thing any of us wants for you.
I took along my iPod and some small speakers to radiation and listened to music and books. I found it was the best way to get through it. Do you have someone to drive you to treatment? You may find you can do it yourself - I did - but it's nice to have the option.
Ask questions, as many as you can think of. There's always someone here who'll have an answer.
Courage - we're with you!
David 2 SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
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