I'm meeting with a Chemo Therapy specialist and a Radiation Specialist next week. What does it feel like to have chemo and/or radiation treatments? What are the different side effects? I researched it a bit, but wanted to hear from experienced patients.
It doesn't feel bad at 1st unless you worry about it. Then things could get miserable but nothing you can't handle. The worst pain I have had is the Rad seed implants and these things make you foget rads and chemo. You won't feel much except the needle jab from the chemo but not much else at 1st. Good luck and maybe you are one that won't have after affects when it's over. Some here have had no problems.
I was forturnate, the Chemo did not make me sick. As Jim said, just feel the needle jab for the Chemo drip. The radiation itself feels like nothing - I took a 15 minute nap during my radiation treatments. It is the after affects of the radiation that you feel. Fatigue, fatigue and more fatigue and difficulty eating were my main side affects. I was lucky. Others can tell you what they experienced.
Ashley, Your question is a tough one. If you knew all that went into the chemo & radiation...would it really help you, or just make you anxious? It is not an easy treatment, is all I will say. Once you do start treatment, post any questions as you go along. I think sometimes the more we know, the worse it is. Every case is as different as is every person. I would recommend getting a RX for Adavan (relaxer) it helped me through rad. treatments. I also had a port & feeding tube, both before I started any TX. Again, every person makes different choices. The main thing is that this will soon be behind you & before you know it...you will be the one giving the advice !
Ashley, as everyone has said, we're all different. I can't speak to chemo but only radiation.
I personally found it very debilitating after about 3 weeks. If you can get someone to go with you I'd recommend it, especially in the latter weeks. Radiation itself, as the others have indicated, is not painful itself. It feels like nothing in fact. There's a lot I could say here... but I won't elaborate further until you know your definite course of treatment.
I found it helpful to listen to music (and later on a book) while going through it. They wouldn't let me use earbuds so I borrowed some small speakers and literally balanced them on my chest. The mask can be confining (although you get used to it), so having a distraction is a good idea.
Keep posting questions as you go along. You'll get the best advice possible here from your new friends.
Courage!
David 2
My experience was also not painful at all. I had rad and chemo. The techs at rad let me bring in my own music and played it for me at every session. I left it there for each visit. I wasn't too fatigued and I felt better than I looked which I didn't realize until I saw pictures of myself! I really looked sickly! After the 2nd chemo it did me in! I needed help walking and used a wheelchair to get to my rad tx at the hospital. But you will bounce back quickly from all of it no matter what side effects you experience. It's really great to have support during all of this, as much as you can get! You'll do just fine!
Pat
Well, hmmm, thanks for being brutally honest. That's what I was looking for. So, basically, it will suck. It's comforting to know that a person can bounce back afterwards. Thank you to everyone for your advice. I'll update everyone after my doctors appointments. On the bright side, my doctor and his staff are really handsome, so maybe that will give me something to look forward to:)
I never thought of my experience as one that sucked. The staff at both rad & chemo were always upbeat and encouraging which made it pleasant. I felt kinda "special" being wheeled into the hospital when that became necessary and equally proud when I could finally walk in on my own later on. You haven't mentioned it but I'm hoping you have a good support team of family and friends..they make a huge impact on your sanity and how well you get thru this! As everyone here has said, we are all different but attitude will also play an important role. Hang in! You really can do this!
Pat
Make sure you get proper nutrition both before and after treatments. Your PEG is you friend! I didn't get enough nutrition and ended up back in the hospital on an IV for a couple of days. After that, I made sure that I kept taking Ensure Plus, as well as drinking a lot of water. I had more problems with the after effects than with the actual treatments themselves. It really saps your energy.
I never had a chemo that lasted just 15 minutes. If I remember right they were 45 minutes. I did crossword puzzles and might have dozed for a few while doing them.
My three chemo treatments each lasted about three hours. It didn't hurt or anything. Luckily I like to read.
After reading your post just now. mine could have lasted the 3 hrs but when you doze. time flies. LOL
well you are in for an E ticket ride! I had a port a cath so I always had a tube for daily IV's. It was Chemo once a week and fluid et al on the other 4 days. Generaly took 90 min. I was lucky, minimal sides and angels for nurses. Radiation was different. easy treatment but very hard sides, they cooked me raw! I had 40 days over a wide area, quite chalanging! But once again, angels for tech and helped me so much!
It is a tough treatment, you will make it and kick ass on cancer!
Steve
I had angels for nurses as well. My doctors were awesome, too. I have heard so many horror stories about how cancer patients have been treated, I am so relieved that my experience was as positive as it was. (As positive as anything can be when you have oral cancer.) Any of you who are in Northern Ohio, I can't say enough good things about the North Coast Cancer Care Center!
Some of these treatments can really vary from person to person. I can't speak to Chemo, but I drove myself to to radiation every day (45 minutes one-way) except when friends volunteered (I encouraged that both to make things easier on myself, and also to get them involved in the process). Others I know were able to work during radiation (No way for me! Glad I was retired!) while still others had to take sick time for the process.
I was also able to drink a lot of water and take my meds orally, but used the PEG for formula feeding.
Amazing how neither the actual radiation treatment nor the chemo "feel" like anything. If it'd weren't for the all the trimmings ( for radiation+ mesh mask, hard lead table, weird noises from the machine; for chemo: IV drips, beeping pumps, two hours in a chair) you would not even know you are getting treatment,
the kicker is in the after effects. for me both the actual radiation and chemo were totally painless and that's for both times. and you will definitely bounce back although not right after the TX ends. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving.
My advice is don't worry but get yourself a TSH blood test now before TX Turns out however there is controversy over what is the right TSH level with labs having a 5.5, a 4.5 even though endocrinologists who went to Medical school the 21st Century consider 3.0 as the highest acceptable level. Before TX, I had a TSH of 1.6 and after TX it shot up to 4.3.
But without a pre TX baseline, you will have trouble getting TX if you need it. Lots of people never have any thryoid damage and they really try and zap the radiation beams around it. But better safe than sorry
Charm
Hey Everyone, Today was my last radiation treatment ! 8 weeks down the hole. I can honestly say that compared to what I had expected to experience and what I actually did, it was a pleasant surprise. I am one of the very very lucky one's that have breezed through this. No weight loss, no PEG. I have continued to eat pretty much what I wanted only much slower and drinking lots of liquids. I found that sweet things would go down a lot easier, LOL. I have read the posts on this forum and cringed at how much suffering some people endure. It has made me realize everyday how fortunate I am. I know that I am not out of the woods and hoping that it does not come back. It has helped to read all the posts and to know that there is such a supportive group available, basically 24/7. Thank to all. I will continue to stay in touch.
Yes, that's what we like to see here on OCF. Good endings and smooth sailings. Congratulations. and thanks for taking the time to share that's it's not always so bad. (And even when it is bad, you can still recover to a good life)
Charm
I have never had a Dr or Nurse that I didn't get along with and make them laugh. I still get hugs from all of the nurses and a big handshake from the Drs with a wisecrack included. LOL
Well, I'm a lucky, lucky girl! I met with the Chemo Oncologist and the Radiation Oncologist the 11th and 12th. I will not be needing either treatments. Phew! Pathology examined my tumor and stated that the margins around my cancer was 1 cm. My surgeon removed more than enough. My PET scan showed that the cancer had not spread to any lymph nodes. Also, the Radiation Oncologist informed me that my cancer was Stage 1. I'm so new to all of this, so forgive me if what I'm writing is like "no duhh!" stuff. Now I will meet with my ENT Doctor once a month to get checked up. I'm a thankful lady, that's for sure!
I have been training for a marathon during all of this and I will be running one on Sunday! Thanks so much for all of your advice and kindness!
Good for you Ashley! Good Luck in the marathan on Sunday!
Congrats on being able to avoid chemo and radiation. Best of luck with your marathon!!!!