Treatment

[Sans rt1]

When I had my RT, it was right away. I felt a dull ache in my gut right after - when I was changing back into my street clothes - it kind of felt like the after effect of someone punching you in the stomach after the pain goes away you are left with an mild ache in the gut. It was not bad, just enough to remind you that something happened there. Then about 3 hours later, I just started to feel real tired and needed to lay down for a nap. For me, it was the second day that I felt a little nausea - again mild and no throwing up, so I never took any of the medication - probably describe it more as queasiness which was pretty much constant but I functioned OK with it.

From the beginning I slept more at night, went from my 6-1/2 hours to 9 to 10 hours per night. About the 4th day, I started having lower back pain - which I think was because the nerves and muscles in my back were being affected - but also because I was sleeping so much. Again, this was mild and I only took a couple of advil the entire time of RT.

The biggest effect was the general feeling of tiredness and lack of energy. I functioned well, worked (although short days most of the time), still went to my kids sports games (but did not help with practices - stopped that when I had my surgery), actually spent more time than usual with friends and family (I was not being busy doing things, so I actually slowed down and enjoyed just being with people), and I did not much in the way of chores or yard work, etc.

The fatigue effects lasted probably 10 days after finishing - then my energy slowly returned little by little until I felt good about 4 weeks after finishing and one day about 6 weeks after RT I realized I felt absolutely great. Now at 9 weeks the only lasting effect is my back - it is much better but when I am very physical it aches a bit. I figure I need to build up the muscles there a bit more. The hair all fell out in the areas of RT, and that started after the RT finished, but now it has started to grow back.

I am sure everyone is different, but you will do great. Take it easy, let yourself be taken care of. I kind of wish I would have tried the nausea medication as I hear it really works, but I don't like to take too many pills and tend to like to tough things out - which may be why I finally went to the doctor at Stage 1b rather than earlier, so I think I have learned that is not always a good trait.

Good luck to you, and it will be over soon. You will bounce back quickly.

[Sans rt1]

tlh - -

How are things going after your first week of RT?

[tlh]

Sans,

Things are going ok after the first week. No real symptoms to speak of yet, with the exception that I may be slightly more tired toward the end of the week. Haven't had to take any meds yet and hope I don't have to. Just can't wait for this to be over and to put it behind me.

[Fish]

Glad to hear things are going well.

[Sans rt1]

Glad to hear it is going so well - it'll be over before you know it.

[tlh]

OK, here's the progress report. 9 treatments down (should have been 10 but they had computer malfunctions on one of the days) with 6 more to go. So far, just a little tired afterward and maybe a little queasy. I'm just looking forward to getting this over with. I'm not second guessing my decision to go with the RT, I'm just tired of going to the hospital everyday!! I do have a question, at what point can I tell people i had tc as opposed to telling people I have tc? Thanks for the support.

[Scott]

at what point can I tell people i had tc as opposed to telling people I have tc?

Whenever you're ready. You can avoid the whole question by saying you're a testicular cancer survivor.

[tlh]

rt complete

OK - I completed RT on 28 Aug 06. I didn't really have any bad reactions other than an upset stomache on occasion. I have been scheduled for 6 week follow-ups with my Rad doc and Urology docs. Also, my GP scheduled me to come see him too ( I think he felt left out!!) The breakdown was 2700 Rads over 15 days.

The only issues I have now are in my head I think. I'm tired of being a nervous wreck everytime I feel a pain in my body that I never noticed before. My rad doc said it's perfectly normal to be a little nervous because before I was diagnosed I wouldn't have even noticed the little aches and pains and now I feel EVERYTHING!! To make matters worse, I caught a pretty bad head/chest cold the weekend before my last treatment. Now everytime I cough and my chest hurts I freak out wondering if the cancer has spread. My Docs told me to take it easy because any Rad dose over 1600 Rads does weaken the immune system for a few weeks and that I was bound to catch something if I'm around large groups of people.

One last comment. My orchiectomy was on June 29th, 2006. Rt side. Up until yesterday I did some normal everyday chores but nothing to strenous. However, since I returned to work full-time on Monday, I have tried to resume my normal routine. Yesterday I made several trips up and down two flights of stairs carrying various office machines (printers, scanners, faxes, etc) that were probably heavier than anything I have carried since surgery. A few hours later I noticed a pain that would come and go in my front lower abdomen (just about two inches above and left of Mr. Johnson) area but on the opposite side of the surgery. Not very bad, but noticeable. Has anyone else experienced anything like this or could it just be some nerve pain or muscle pain from not doing anything like this for about 8 weeks? It doesn't seem to be bothering me today, but like I said, I'm a basket case for all aches and pains now. Any info helps. Thanks.

[Sans rt1]

Glad you are done with treatment and from the sounds of it you your body reacted pretty well. I had wierd feelings in my stomach areas for probably a month after finishing RT but nothing I could call pain - except for when I was helping the neighbors move furniture a few weeks after ending RT - my back was killing me and my stomach muscles were extremely sore, more on one side than the other. I think the RT affected the muscles and nerves a little in that area and it takes some time to get back to nornal.

Yes, your concerns are probably mostly in your head - but don't take that wrong - we have all been there too. I remember telling friends I feel like a little old lady, evaluating every pain and ache and wondering if it is something I should be concerned with. Remember, you caught it early, you chose the proven treatment with a good track record of successful cures. Yes, there is a chance of a reoccurence, but it is so very small, so you need to try not to dwell on it (again, easier said than done - I think about it every day, but I try to put it out of my mind). It sounds like your doctors have you on a frequent follow-up, which should make you feel better about things (I had to argue for a little more frequent ones with my doctors, but when I explained my concerns they agreed - probably were humoring me, but who cares). Of course, you have to be the judge of what is going on with you, but it is probably time to try to relax and get back to normal (again, easier said than done - be patient and try not to be too hard on yourself, you have been through a tough couple of months, for goodness sakes!)...

But, congratulations on completing your treatment!

[Fish]

Glad to hear you weathered you treatment well. I too am much more likely to pay attention to small aches and pains, and at my age they're coming a lot more often. I think it's completely normal after a cancer diagnosis - as long as you don't become obsessive about it.

I don't think it can be said too often --- don't underestimate the psychological/emotional effects of having cancer. Take some time and be good to yourself.

Best wishes.

[rjs]

TLH -
Looks like you are well on your way to getting back to normal. I had the same treatment path you selected and understand your feelings completely. I would tell you even one year out I have occassional muscle sorenesss around the incision site. I am told this is not uncommon and the discomfort I have is not great, but it does come about when I do strenuous activity. I train for triathlons so I often have hard work-outs and sometimes feel the muscle sore in my side. I have been told this is not uncommon and not something to be overly concerned about. You are still closer to your surgery so the discomfort is more common than it will be as time passes.

Stay strong and positive. Congratulations on making it to this point.

[tlh]

follow-up (question)

I completed my last rad treatment two weeks ago. It seems that right after my last treatment I developed what might be (after some research on the web of course) something called Proctitis (syptoms are there and it says on form is radiation induced). I had the PA treatment and also the pelvic rad. Has anyone else had any similar experience with something like this? If so, how long did it last or did you have to get it treated by you Doc? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[tlh]

follow up to my own post

I stressed out and called my doctor right after I posted. He assured me this was normal if you get the "dogleg" rad therapy and usually goes away on its own after a few weeks. While I'm not real happy about the effects, I am more relieved that this is normal. I will keep you updated.