SDianneB Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Day 0, since I've not started the actual treatments. I meet with the Radiation Oncologist who reviews my last PET scan results with me again. Really, really good results, and he's very impressed. He talks to me a while, again, about the PCI and why we do it, and says that from a 50% chance of recurrence in the brain, their results show a decrease to less than 10% after the PCI. Wow. He tells me that major hair loss may not occur, as it generally takes about 3 weeks for that to happen, and I'll be having 12, low dose treatments. He says I will probably have major thinning, but may not lose all my hair after all. Everyone is different. He isn't giving me steroids unless I need them. He says that relatively few of their patients need them, and if I have a problem with headaches, just let them know and he'll give me a prescription. He says just to take Ibuprofin or Tylenol if I have a headache, and if that doesn't do the trick, just let them know. (He's like me -- I'm all for the benefits of medication, but I don't want them unless I need them.) So, I go in for the mask. Yikes! Looks kinda like a fencing mask except for the waffle weave holes. The tech -- Kathy -- is the same one who did my chest radiation setup, and is terrific. She talked to me through it all, telling me what she's doing, how much longer, etc. It felt like she put a hot, wet pancake on my face at first! Then it began to harden and felt just really strange. It got a teency bit claustrophic for a minute, then she started talking to me again and it went away. All in all, it wasn't bad, and didn't last long -- 30 minutes max. I go in the morning at 8:30 for the first treatment. My guess is that I won't feel a thing, and probably won't for at least a few days. With the chest radiation, it was nice to have the weekends as a little break. Will see how this goes. This is a great place and a bunch of nice people where I'm going. Believe it or not, I actually missed going there every day when my chest radiation stopped! Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Dianne, Glad to hear how brave you are. Before you know it, you'll have this behind you. I'm rootin' for ya! Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Good luck, Di. I know this is going to do the trick for you. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted December 6, 2004 Share Posted December 6, 2004 Di You are somethin' else, girl. I am glad that you are here and sharing with us what is going on with you. As far as your other post...yes. too many people with cancer. But, now we have a fighting chance. We have radiation oncologists and techs to take good care of us and to help us through this stuff that our grandparents didn't. I hope that this goes as smoothly as possibe for you. I will, for sure, be looking for your updates. Love, Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bacalice Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Dianne: Not experienced with contributing to this site. I have been reading it for months. Now i needed it for input relative to receiving PCI. I spent many sleepless nights trying to decide. I had the mask done today. it was not bad but rather difficult for me to keep the position. I get the first treatment tomorrow. Your post helped me feel better and i hope that i sleep tonite. What you said in your post is very similar to what i was told. I live alone and have a caregiver in the day time and i have hired one to spend the nights until this is over. although my radiologist said he didn't think that i would need one. Well, tomorrow I will see how it really is for me. I trust that things go well with you and i am so grateful for what you wrote. dx'd small cell limited Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Di, hoping that everything will be smooth sailing for you,& no or very little side affects.Good luck and hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Di: Lots of prayers for a smooth-free time getting the PCI. I have a strong feeling that you will get through it just fine. Alice: HI AND WELCOME!! Please come and post more often. Good luck with your PCI treatments tomorrow, too! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Di and Alice, I wish both of you the best of luck with your PCI treatments. I hope that you each get a 90% cure rate and that you never see the other 10%. Both of you keep us in touch. I have been thinking about doing it later. To be honest, no one has told me I needed it but I want to do all I can do to prevent brain mets. Thanks for your information. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrice Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Di and Alice, I just wanted to let you know this morning will be my 7th treatment out of 20. So far no side affects. The 1st couple of days I had a small headache. I do not care for the mask so I just lay there with my eyes closed thinking happy thoughts and before I know it the treatment is over!!! Best of luck to both of you Patrice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDianneB Posted December 7, 2004 Author Share Posted December 7, 2004 Ok then. Those of us who are going through this at the same time, let's just have a bigger diary! Please, please share what you can when you can. Someone else will be along and it may help, plus they can add to it with their experiences. It sure has helped me many times to know as much as I can from those who have "been there, done that." Looking forward to sharing this diary with others! Di Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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