whole brain radiation

[Guest Cary(can't login)]

I was wondering if there are any long term survivors who have recieved whole brain radiation. I have looked at the studies on the side effects and it is not very hopeful.

Cary

[jane]

My sister had whole brain radiation (10 treatments) late August of '02. She is currently doing very well on Iressa. As far as side effects of the radiation 11 months later, there are very few. I would say that yes, her short-term memory is slightly affected..... sometimes she doesn't remember telling us something.... like she may forget where she placed something or forget to relay a phone message.... but she kind-of was a spacy "blond" to begin with. So, I'd say that the difference in her memory is very very slight. Only those closest to her detect it at all. The only other difference I notice is that she requires somewhat more sleep than before. Now, she rarely naps (she did for some time), but seems to need about 10 hours sleep per night..... a couple more on the average than before her diagnosis (although whether that is due to radiation could be questionable.....) Hope this helps.

Jane

[ginnyd]

My husband had 10 whole brain treatments that ended 11/6/02.

He has some side effects some of which seem to get better with time. He definitely had a prob with short term memory, but that slowly is improving. He would get dizzy (vertigo) often but that too is subsiding. Balance is interesting. He sometimes looks like a drunk. Because of this problem with balance, he walks like a little old man. If he is steadied, like pushing a shopping cart, he walks fine and as fast as anyone. I have suggested a cane - not a chance. Also, my husband is a computer consultant and prided himself on remembering, in detail, all of his customers programs and systems. He now struggles to do this work (only works a couple of hours a week) and is extremely frustrated.

But, in the long run, if this helps him survive, this is definitely worth it.

[Guest Cary1]

Thank You,

Cary