I think most people do not stay in the hospital for the treatment per se (that is, it is given on an out-patient basis) but some folks on this forum have ended up being hospitalized for a few days for various reasons, either because of an infection or because they got very debilitated and needed hydration, nutrition or just closer oversight. My husband got a bacteremia (blood infection) in his last three days of treatment and the hospital admitted him as they wanted to give him IV antibiotics, though he was not terribly ill in the sense of being weak or unable to function. However the risk of it getting worse was enough to send him into hospital.

As for getting through this while living alone, I would say that would be very very difficult, especially since you are getting a weeks' more radiation than many others (most people seem to get 33-35 treatments). You will get very tired and if you are put onto serious pain medications, which almost everyone is, then you may not be able to drive -- or should not drive, for safety's sake. If you do not have a relative or friend to help, you may wish to ask your hospital about availability of help. Also, the American Cancer Society can help provide transportation (which they did for my mom when she was getting chemo for her leukemia). Ask your hospital about local chapters, or if there is a local support group that might have volunteers.

Gail