Welcome to OCF, Steph. You have found the very bast place for info and support.

Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who sails right thru rads with barely a side effect. The people I see who do that are the ones who focus on what is most important.... their intake. Every single day you need to hit the bare minimums of taking in 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. This should continue until at the very least you hit the year anniversary post rads. Starting right away, eat all your favorite foods and have dessert too. You definitely do not want to go into this with cravings. Your sense of taste will change and your ability to swallow will also be affected by rads. Its only temporary but when going thru rads, it can feel like its forever until you can eat normally again, so eat now.

Most patients are able to continue working at least thru the first few weeks of rads. Of course this depends alot on what type of work you do. When going thru rads you will become susceptible to picking up the most minor illnesses quite easily. But a mild common cold can make someone who's immune system is compromised very ill. Its best to pay attention to avoid crowds, frequently wash your hands, use hand sanitizer often and avoid any situation that brings you in contact with young children (usually walking germ factories) or anyone who is sick. Some (not common, maybe only 10%) patients have worked part time thru their entire treatment and recovery while others have more intense reactions to rads and have bothersome side effects in the first week or two. Other patients have flexible jobs where they can work at their leisure from home. Many, many options are available to patients when going thru rads. I suggest playing it by ear as you do not know how rads will affect you. Rads gets progressively more difficult as treatments continue. It continues working well after the treatments stop. The first few weeks after treatments end are usually the most challenging.

Line up helpers. You may be on strong pain meds which make you tired and most find they are unable to drive. Call the American Cancer Society to see if there are volunteer drivers available to help get you to your treatments. Many patients are ok at least the first 2 weeks to drive themselves, some make it thru the 4th week but very few can drive thru the entire 6 or 7 weeks of treatments. Im hoping you have caregivers with you to help take care of you while your going thru this. If not start lining up those you are the closest with to help out. Theres a million small things that can be done to help you get thru this easier.

Stick with us and we will help get you thru the upcoming appointments, treatments and recovery. Its not easy but we have been there and know all the little tricks to make it as easy as possible. Read and absorb as much as possible (main OCF site has TONS of info) to make yourself the very strongest advocate you can be. Stop in often, ask questions and know we are in your corner.

Best wishes!!!