Gettin' zapped

[ChrisN418]

I met with my Oncologist yesterday at W.D.H. and talked about treatment options and it looks like he's leaning towards R.T. I kind of expected this after doing my own research and talking with all of you. My Doctor says that there are little to no side affects but I know that some digestive issues and fatigue will probably play a role. He did say it will be mild doses over about four to six weeks. I meet with the Rad. Oncologist in a week or so and I'll drill him with more questions. I was hoping for some real life accounts from all of you as to what I might be dealing with....

[Margaret]

Hi Chris, I have little experience with Radiation...but I did want to offer you my support and best wishes. I am sure others here will be able to offer advice. Hope all goes well

[Matt_24]

You will do from 15-18 treatments for seminoma over 3-4 weeks. Mon-Fri, weekends off.

They will medicate you for the nausea. I recommend ZOFRAN. Your stomach will still feel...strange..but not pukey strange (don't you love the description).

Fatigue will hit you hard. Don't deny yourself sleep during this. I did...and suffered for it. After that, I laid down and slept.

That is about it. I counted my lucky stars I didn't have to undergo chemo - but each one is a battle, and you can't discount one over the other. Treating cancer just isn't "fun" or "easy", how you look at it.

[SleepyGuy]

With anti-nausea meds you get, I would also recommend getting some medication for indigestion, like Maalox or Prilosec. The radiation would give me indigestion before I even got back to my car. It wasnt horrible, but I would take some maalox chewables so I didn't have to deal with it.

The other big thing is the fatigue. It usually comes 2-3 hours after radiation and its pretty much like hitting a brick wall. One minute I would feel relatively ok, then 30 minutes later I wasn't sure if I had the energy to make it up the stairs.

[Karen]

My husband took Compazine 1 hr before the zap and anotehr 4 hrs after the first pill. He chugged pepto (well chilled) as well. He felt like he was sea sick for the entire 3 weeks and a week or so after. He threw up once ...when he forgot to take the compazine in advance of the zap. By the last week of his treatment he was joining us for dinner (he did a 4pm zap) and on the last night we went out for Thai. I guess he got used to the feeling. He never experienced feeling tired or a loss of energy. Note that if you anticipate getting sick you most likely will...so mind over matter helps too. Ray had para-aortic so there was no bowel upset for him, but I have read some guys with dog-leg (hockey stick) field get the runs.

It's only a few weeks and then you're done!!! Key your eye on that last day as your finish line!

[Sans rt1]

My experiences were in line with the others. I never got sick, just a tired queasy feeling. I did not have any problems with indigestion. I thought I ate normally - but I really craved rich and spicy food - still I lost weight. I could not handle coffee and wine tasted bad. Just be good to yourself, eat well, drink lots of fluids, give yourself the rest you need - but eventhough you are tired - remember to stretch and exercise some every day to keep your muscles and body moving, which will help them heal from the damage caused by the RT.

The 4 weeks will go by fast, and after it is over you will start to feel better every day. If you are anything like me, about 3 weeks afterwards you will feel good, and about 6 weeks afterwards you will have full energy back (meaning you will feel like exercising to your former intensity, etc.) - but everyone reacts different and hopefully you will be one of those that has very little effects.

[ronniereb]

I too was diagnosed Stage 1B and just finished my last of 24 treatments this morning. Let me tell you after the first two I was suffering, the Zofran they gave me was doing nothing for the nasuea and I kept telling my wife there is no way that I am going to make it through this. They added Ativan to my medication list and I felt like a new man. Only occasional queasiness but let me tell you the fatigue was something else for me. Every day around 2PM I just hit the wall. I was able to maintain my full work schedule but was going to bed very early every night. Gob Bless my wife, we have a 3 year old and seven year old and she took on complete responsibility for them. You will get through it, if I did it anyone can

[Margaret]

I too was diagnosed Stage 1B and just finished my last of 24 treatments this morning. Let me tell you after the first two I was suffering, the Zofran they gave me was doing nothing for the nasuea and I kept telling my wife there is no way that I am going to make it through this. They added Ativan to my medication list and I felt like a new man. Only occasional queasiness but let me tell you the fatigue was something else for me. Every day around 2PM I just hit the wall. I was able to maintain my full work schedule but was going to bed very early every night. Gob Bless my wife, we have a 3 year old and seven year old and she took on complete responsibility for them. You will get through it, if I did it anyone can

I am so happy you finished!! I know it must be such a happy day to know that is behind you.

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