Radiation Has Begun

[ronniereb]

Had my first radiation treatment today literally just an hour ago and I am sitting here waiting to see what is going to happen. No real "side-effects" yet. I did take something for nausea prior to the treatment so maybe that is helping me out. I do feel extremely tired but that's not out of the ordinary as I did not get much sleep last night thinking about it. Oh well one down and 23 to go.

[NavyHoldi99]

Good luck Ronnie! I can't speak to the radiation side of things...but I hope you feel as great as possible during your treatments. How many days do you have before each radiation session?

[dadmo]

ronniereb:
I don't think anyone ever sleeps the night before the first treatment. Try and rest and now that treatment has begun try and relax. Your cure is in sight.

[ronniereb]

Navy,

You have to go every day Mon-Fri until they are complete

[Margaret]

ronnie,

the first time for everything has always got to be the hardest, but you sound really strong and I know they will be over with soon! I had a calendar on the fridge and I crossed off every single day until we reached our finish line. In fact I have the perm Sharpie marks on my fridge to prove it ...but it was a way to have a mini celebration each day that we were one step closer to a cure. You will find yours I am sure. I will say a prayer for you that these days go by quickly.

Margaret

[ronniereb]

Margaret,

Thanks so much for the kind words, I have already set up a spreadsheet on my work PC and crossing off of a day will be the first thing I do every morning when I come in after the treatment. It's funny how you do not really know anyone on this board but how you feel like you know everyone as you follow everyone's story. My prayers are with you and Boyce as he continues his fight.

[Fed]

I am really happy to hear that your treatment is underway. Cheers on the road to your cure!

[Matt_24]

I am really happy to hear that your treatment is underway. Cheers on the road to your cure!

Hi. I've been going through it - two more to go...YES! Monday will be my last treatment. You'll make it through - no prob!

[Margaret]

I know what you mean Ronnie...I feel like all of you are my family. The people on this board can relate better to Boyce and I more so than our family and friends. We all share the same connection.

Boyce is doing great...he was fitted yesterday for his compression sleeve for his blood clots and almost seemed proud when they told him he had an extra long arm and they would have to special order something.

I am thankful to Scott for getting a picture of us up here. Ronnie, this picture of us is very special to me because Boyce is wearing his "Last day of chemo crown"...You will earn your crown too. Just look at that picture and remember that the finish line gets closer every day.

If you ever need to talk Boyce would be thrilled to call you and lend more support. He and I will be glad to provide our numbers if anyone needs them.

You are doing great!!!

Margaret

[ronniereb]

Oh man two treatments in and it was literally kicking my butt. I was taking Zofran for nausea but it was not helping at all. My first two treatments were Thursday and Friday, I thought the weekend would lead to me feeling a little bit better but it was not to be. I told them about it MOnday morning and they added Ativan to my medication. Wow what a difference, now I just feel a little queasy once in a while but otherwise I am feeling near normal except for being tired. 5 down and 19 to go!!

[Margaret]

Oh man two treatments in and it was literally kicking my butt. I was taking Zofran for nausea but it was not helping at all. My first two treatments were Thursday and Friday, I thought the weekend would lead to me feeling a little bit better but it was not to be. I told them about it MOnday morning and they added Ativan to my medication. Wow what a difference, now I just feel a little queasy once in a while but otherwise I am feeling near normal except for being tired. 5 down and 19 to go!!

They did a combination of Ativan and compezine and that really helped Boyce. They also gave him emend and Kytril. The Kytril was really the super pill. Maybe you could ask about these meds and see if your doctor likes them. Try and eat a little something every 2 hours...it should also help.

Sleep when your body tells you to and You are really getting there!! Keep fighting we are all pulling for you.

Hugs,

M.

[ronniereb]

Reached the halfway point today and I must say other than the first couple days it has not been that bad. I occaisionally get some mild queasiness, am very "gassy" and the diarhea comes and goes. When I was in yesterday morning a gentleman had just finished his last treatment and he got to ring this big ship's bell they have in the office to commemorate the event. I can't wait to ring that bell.

[Margaret]

Reached the halfway point today and I must say other than the first couple days it has not been that bad. I occaisionally get some mild queasiness, am very "gassy" and the diarhea comes and goes. When I was in yesterday morning a gentleman had just finished his last treatment and he got to ring this big ship's bell they have in the office to commemorate the event. I can't wait to ring that bell.

You are going to get to ring that bell!!! Just keep focused on it...you can do it!

[boyce]

Meds cecommendations

I used a "cocktail" of Compazine and Ativan together for nausea and then used Kytril at times as well. Never hurled a single time though the treatments with these meds. I will say that I have a cast iron stomach anyway, but they really did help.

Eating every two hours was critical for me as well.

And the Gas...Oh...My.....Goodness!

Dr. prescribed Nexium or Protonix for me...and I strongly recommend you try them. I would be physically tired from burping and it would keep me up at night.....

Past the halfway point, and we are thinking of you! Fight your Ball off..oops..you already did! So save the Lone Ranger but dig in and fight your guts out each step of the way. The chemo is debilitating, but it is Temporary....You Will feel better very very soon...and that sonofabitch Cancer Hates the treatments more than you do.

Fight Fight Fight!!!

[ronniereb]

I'm sure the chemo was much worse than the radiation. sometimes it's weird to here myself say thank god I only have to do radiation. Seems almost as bad as saying thank god I only got testicular cancer.