 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Dianne,
You definitely won't be the same person after this experience. Heck you've probably already changed some but in some ways this experience has a positive side to it in the way we view life, relationships and people in general.
Re your fears...the more you educate yourself on what you may or may not experience, the less surprises you will have and believe me those little surprises can create a ton of stress which your body won't be as equipped to handle as normal. Probably 95% of us had the rad and while it was tough on most of us, you really only have to deal with the worst part for about 7 weeks so in the scheme of things that isn't a very long time.
Read all the literature on this site and ask a million questions and just get prepared to go to war with the cancer that has tried to invade your space. We are here for you 24/7.
Who will be your caregiver?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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