CancerCompass message board discussion started by Honey C. on 2/11/2003 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,335,0.htm Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ I just finished a 3-month chemotherapy treatment. I am scheduled to have the next treatment which is radiation but I am scared to think that I will be injected radiation into my body. The CTscan came out good so why do I need to take a radiation treatment? The oncologist said that if I won't have radiation the cancer will come back. I am on short-term disability from my job and I just received a letter that if I won't go back to work as soon as possible, I will be terminated. During my chemotherapy treatment I had all the bad side effects of chemo. I lost interest in life and I was so depressed and lost self-esteem in spite of having a very supportive and loving family. I need a second opinion on radiation therapy. I would really appreciate it if somebody will talk to me about this. Thank you very much. hcc Honey C. Tue, 11 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT You really should consider the radiation treatment. I have just finished my treatment, and am now in hyperbaric chamber treatment (helps recovery). My treatment was diferent than yours. I had the chemo and radiation at the same time. The chemo as explained to me exposes the cancer cell making the radiation treatment more effective. Good luck. Alan W. Sat, 22 Feb 2003 00:00:00 GMT I had chemo three years ago if I had radiation three years ago I wouldn't be going through radiation today. Seriously consider the way it was explained to me it's either my life or my job. I gave up my job. I regret I had to but I now have a different job and love it. Hoping to be able to stay at this one. I will pray for you. Susan M. Mon, 03 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT Alan, If it is not too personal a question, I would appreciate knowing why you are having the hyperbaric treatments. Does it have anything to do with cancer's inability to withstand oxygen? I have had 68 dives and feel like a veteran (my dives were not related to cancer). Carolyn D. Mon, 03 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT I'm not sure what type of job you do, but I had both chemo and radiation and continued to work the entire time. I was sick with chemo as well, but I had a desk job and when I went through radiation, I worked alternative hours. I came in earlier to put in my required hours and left earlier in the day so my radiation treatments were scheduled at the end of the day where I could then rest. I was tired, but the radiation was much better than the chemo for me (I had breast cancer). Hope this helps! Take the radiation! Betty A. Wed, 12 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT I'm sorry it has taken me this long to reply. The "dives" done in the chamber are at 45 feet and you breathe 100% oxegen. You do this for 3 thirty periods. It is supposed to help the cells regenerate faster. Has nothing to do with regular scuba diving, different animal there. Alan W. Fri, 14 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT Alan, I firmly believe and also have read many articles tying the use of the chamber to helping restore cells. The dives I made were for gangrene caused by a blood clot; the chamber saved my hand. God bless you and I will watch for your progress---Constance Carolyn D. Fri, 14 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Alan, I am schueduled for Radiation and Chemo, instead of Surgery and radiation, I have squamous cell carcinoma in the throat, still finding out which to do, how were your side effects with your R & C? Thanks Ron Ronald B. Sat, 22 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Ron, First best of luck going forward from here. Let me give a brief overview of my treatment. Week one and six I had both radiation and chemo. The rest was radiation twice a day. Weeks one and two went pretty smoothly, only minor irritation when swallowing, and an increase in feeling tired. And you start to loose your voice. The third week was the worst time. It was 10 days after chemo stopped and my white blood count went way down. I was neutropenic, which isn't good with an infection that raised my temp to 104+ for a bit. After that week 4,5,went okay. You notice that your neck is swollen and anything by mouth is a no no. Your tongue feels like razor blades on both sides. When you want to yawn don't open your mouth, it will hurt. Your neck is getting blasted and by now you will be able to see where you will never have to shave again. Your neck looks like its been sunburned. Get a cream called "aquaphor" from a CVS or Walgreen's (16.00 a jar) get the tube if they have it, a little goes a long way. Put the aquaphor on your neck, it helps to keep it from drying up. Also your going to have a problem breathing and here is where the trach comes in handy. Week six is week five only with the chemo again. But this time you know what to expect. Now my only problem is getting to eat again, I feel as if I have a clump of something stuck in my throat and I can't get rid of it, a lot of coughing and spitting junk into a jar. I guess natures recovery time is more than I allowed on my timetable. Still everyday something different and the more it stays the same. Best of luck, hope this gave ya an idea what's coming. Alan Alan W. Sun, 23 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT I also was advised to have radiation...I chose not to but will be monitored every 6 months. I was told by other doctors that radiation can only be used once in the same area and should be reserved for a recurrance. Jan T. Mon, 24 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hello, my husband was diagnosed with nasophraynx cancer. He will be starting radiation and chemo within a couple of weeks. We have heard about the horror radiation causes to the throat area. We want him to live, so we have to pray and pray and take one day at a time. You mentioned hyperbaric chamber treatment in your email. I haven't heard of this type of treatment that helps recovery. Would you mind telling me about it? Thanks, Rhonda Rhonda L. Mon, 23 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT Alan, thank you for your post. My husband has been diagnosed with nasophraynx cancer and will begin treatment in a couple of weeks. He too, will have two chemo treatments along with his radiation treatments just the way you did. I am trying my best to help him keep his spirits up. We are rally afraid. Especially of the radiation treatments. I am glad you have made it through the treatments. How are you doing now? How long has it been since your last treatment? My prayers are with you. Rhonda Rhonda L. Mon, 23 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hello Ronda, I'm sorry to hear of another that has gotten this cursed cancer. Yes I did mention the hyperbaric chamber treatments, but more about that later. Has your husband had a PEG feeding tube put in yet? If not you WILL need one. Also a Tracheotomy? This would be really helpful cause breathing is going to be really nasty at times. Now that is out of the way, yes the radiation along with the chemo at the same time is about the worst combo that you can think of. The hyperbaric chamber sessions (called dives) consist of increasing the body pressure to 2.5 atmospheres. Going down to about 45 feet. You are given 100% oxygen to breathe for three hours at half hour intervals with ten min breaks between. The theory being and being a SCUBA diver the theory is sound; the air molecules are compressed small enough to allow twice the air to go into the lungs. Here it is picked up by the red blood cells and taken to the injured area. They also use this on wounds that are hard to heal. But this is all done AFTER the radiation treatment. Best of luck and keep praying. Alan W. Mon, 23 Jun 2003 00:00:00 GMT hi i am currently undergoing radiation (35 total treatments) i am on on treatment # 22 so far i have had minimal side effects some esophageal burning with the feeling of trying to swallow around a lump at the bottome of my throat. I do rad 5 days a week. also am on chemo 8 day cycle on rest of the month off day 1 is 6^ hours day day 2.3.4.5. is 3 hours long day 6 asnd 7 are weekend days then day 8 is 6 hours long i am on cisplatin and Etoposide. I have been lucky and have no wt loss hair loss or nausea from chemo. After i have finished this chemo and radiation i will have a removal of 3/4 of right lung removal of lymph nodes of chest. Hope this helps you Donna Donna S. Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi, Do not forget: there is good evidence to suggest that Vit D greatly enhances the effects of radiation treatments. Conrad C. Tue, 12 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Jan T. What kind of cancer did you have and was it the primary site? Can you tell me your age and if your oncologist agrred with your decision> I had squamous cell next to my parotid gland and it was a secondary site but they haven't found the primary site. I am scheduled for radiation therapy for six weeks at the end of this month. This was a very big but slow growing tumor and it was removed intact. I am thinking about waiting on the radiation and just have it watched and scans. Thank you for any info you can give me. Char Charlene F. Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT Although the idea of radiation being injected into you sounds scary, believe me it is what will keep the cancer away. Each session is quick and you dont feel a thing,while you get your radiation, KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, its hard but you already did the hard part! YOU'RE GOING TO DO WELL! Good LUCK JT joseph T. Tue, 09 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT I chose not to recieve radiation in the summer of 2002 after diagnosis and lumpetomy; I have been cancer free for 14 months and keep off prempro...which I had taken for 11 years. I understand that radiation can only be applied to an area for one-time series. I guess I wanted to keep that ace in case as in all cancers....proper diet and exercise help emotions to deal with health matters. I also choose not to take tamoxiphen or arimadex....after assessing side effects Jan T. Tue, 09 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT Hi Charlene; I am 62 and tested positive for breast cancer in July of 2002; Luckily the lump was extremely small and was taken at biopsy. I went to Slone-Kettering for surgery that was a precaution...since no cancer cells were found....they also took 7 lymph nodes when I only expected to lose one for observation. They were clear...Since I had been on hormone therapy for 12 years and my cancer was estrogen related, I chose to discontinue prempro. The side effects of other drugs had me dismiss them as well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and optomistic. I've had 3 mameograms since and so far I'm still clear. Be your own advocate... good luck, Jan Jan T. Tue, 09 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT Take the radiation...you won't regret it. As for losing the job, which is more important....the job or your life? Yes, I know the health insurance is important and without the job, the health insuranc will be gone...but another job can be gotten...but can another life? Take the radiation...I had it and the only side effect that I had was fatique and that may have been that I had to drive so far to get the radiation and then had to go back to work afterwards. Good luck!! j. Kenneth Sun, 21 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT My name is Nicholas Pasquesi, I'm a survivor of brain cancer and new to diving, I have no info personally for you but, This is something I found posted from another recovering brain cancer diver:" I went to the Caribbean with by family, to do some diving. I wanted to scuba dive again, so I took the PADI dive class and am now re-certified to dive. Since then I have recorded 13 dives in waters from 20 feet to 80 feet. My oncologist checked for me before I did this to see if there was any reason I could not dive. She checked with other doctors, and found information on other brain survivors that dive. "  Theboy Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT My Name is Nicholas Pasquesi:I had a 'Medulloblastoma', tumor on the brain stem, about the size of a golf ball. I was diagnosed on Oct 12, 1998, and had surgery on Oct 14, 1998.  After surgery, my family was told that 90 some % was removed but it was too dangerous to touch the rest.  After several months in ICU due to complication, I underwent 2 full cycles of radiation, 5 days a week for 1min 37 seconds per time, then 2 full cycles of chemo, 12 months every other week for 5 days per time.I was a tenacious ass hole during my treatment; I know that I would have made no good decisions at the time.  But something I know today, my last 2 treatments I had no negative affects, no sickness, no weakness’, so I truly believe in the mind over matter stuff, and the good attitude/thinking stuff really makes a difference no matter how hard it is to stomach, smoke pot I did, would never do it again but it helped then, the Marinol pills the docs gave me helped but after a while it was not enof.I am not a doctor, but I can say the doctors know what there doing, if they say you need it you need it DA! It’s not a pyramid scheme DA!Your family loves you; you are lucky, forget about what you think needs to be done.  If the doctor thinks you need it, and your family thinks you need it, Do It!  And thank them, latter.Lastly as for your job, offensive word removed them!  What are you doing worrying about that, everything will turn out all right!!!Nicholas Pasquesippasquesione@yahoo.com847-208-3543(MARINOL is approved for two uses. MARINOL treats nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conventional treatments.) Theboy Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT