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  A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
  
Location: NC | What should we expect with the radiation treatments? My mom has had IL-2 before. And is now on a daily pill (starts with a Z. I can never remember the name). She is having radiation treatments for the tumors in her brain. She starts in a few weeks.
What should we expect? What are some things that I could get her to make it easier on her? Any advice/info is greatly appreciated.
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
  
Location: In a happy place | I think it is different with what area of the body it is given to. I don't know about where your mom will be taking her radiation but where I took mine they had lots of brochures for just the area that would be treated and they also gave me a big notebook with all kind of information. Ask for this even before she starts so you/she can read up on it.
And I have heard this so much I want to scream but it is true. Everyone reacts differently so it is hard to tell you exactly what to expect.
It is painless while they are giving it to you. You just lay on the table and don't move. They will probably have something that they put over her head to make sure she doesn't move. After about two weeks she may start feeling fatigued or it may not affect her that way.
With bc I had radiation dermatitis where for no better way to explain it your skin is like burned and it starts oozing. I just soaked the areas with a rag soaked in baking soda and salt till this passed.
And I am not positive but I think if radiation is given to the head area she may lose her hair and if so she can get a wig. They are not real expensive now days.
I hope this helped some.
I am still praying for her and you too.
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | My dads Radiation was on his upper back near shoulder area. His STSarcoma was deep in his muscle. radiation didnt affect him to bad. He did get red and lose skin and dermitits and fatigued though. it was a large area.
read up on it so she is prepared for after care of the area.
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 Hog Tie My Mojo
Posts: 4847
Location: Opelousas, LA | When my Mom had radiation for a brain tumor she did lose some hair on the area, not bald but her hair got thin and patchy. She was very tired right after her treatments but always felt better the next day. She did not have any major dermatitis or skin issues and we were expecting that because she always had very sensitive skin.
More prayers for your Mom |
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 Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102
Location: Nebraska |
My dad had radiation to his throat. Treatments for him probably lasted about 45 min or so but I can't remember how often (I think it was a few days a week for 6 weeks but not 100% sure). They secured like a plastic strainer that was molded to his head so he wouldn't move. I think they even drew on his neck. His neck did get really red and it almost looked like a sunburn. We applied aloe to it which seemed to help it. I know you're not allowed to wear anything perfumed near the area. Radiation also gave him a metallic taste in his mouth. He did really well with the treatments, though, other than the burning. |
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 Always Off Topic
Posts: 6382
Location: ND | depends on the type and procedure..... |
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 Shelter Dog Hero
Posts: 1184
Location: Mississippi | My prayers for healing are with you and your family. I had radiation and kicked cancer. The radiation was a very miserable experience after a while but it varies depending on type and location.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
| I had breast cancer, and my radiation was on my left breast and under my left arm. It is pretty painless. I had to use Tom's deodorant because it didn't have aluminum in it. I couldn't shave my armpit during the whole time (6 weeks). After about 4 weeks, I started to get pretty severe radiation burns. They give you lotion to put on the burns, but it doesn't help a lot. They gave me a couple of days off when they got so bad they started to bleed. They tacked the days onto the end of the treatment. I only took 1 day off work and that was because the burns hurt so bad I couldn't put my bra on. Then I discovered men's undershirts. I would wear one under my bra to stop the chafing. I still do it now in the summer when I sweat and get heat rash. It has been 5 years, and I still have a bit of a suntan where those burns were. The people who operated the machine and the nurses and doctors were wonderful at the cancer center I went to. My last day, I "graduated" and they gave me a lovely suncatcher.
Best wishes to your mom. It isn't fun, but it is do-able and it is worth it.
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