Guest hearrean Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Well, I have made the decision to go the chemo/radiation route and do so here in my home-town instead of continuing at MD Anderson. I met yesterday with one of the Radiation Oncs at The Cancer Center of SE Texas & really, really liked him! They will be using IMRT technology and he explained everything to me & spent over an hour just talking with me. I went back in today to get set-up, marked, etc. Since my chemo will start back this coming Tuesday (1/15), they have my radiation set to start the following Monday (1/21). The radiation will then continue daily (5 days per week) X 7 weeks. Chemo will continue weekly throughout the duration of the radiation. The Doc did tell me that it was great that I didn't have side affects from the chemo this last time, but that when doing radiation & chemo together, the side affects of both tend to be increased. He said I might be lucky & be one of approx. 10% who have no issues at all, but not to expect that & just be prepared. He did say that it's possible that chemo might have to be stopped for a week if the side affects get too bad. So I'm pretty nervous about just what side affects I might have, particularly since I did so well on just the chemo by itself, but what will be, will be & I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. He did tell me about a new injectable drug that could cut down about 20% of the side affects of radiation, but it has it's own side affects & is expensive (about $500 per shot) & my prescription plan doesn't appear to cover it. It's given about 30 minutes before each radiation treatment starts & you must be lying down when it's given. I can't remember it's name, but I'm going to do without it anyway & just do the best I can. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 Glad you have good rapport with your rad onc -- that should be very helpful! Good luck with your treatment. Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Best of luck to you, Ken. Be sure to let us know how things go. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonni Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Good Luck Ken....glad you made up your mind as what to do..and liking your doctor a whole lot means a lot ...Let us know how you are doing and I pray you are in the 10% that has no issues at all.... hugs..nonni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Ken, Praying for minimal side-effects and great results! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Praying the best for you Ken. I understand your wanting to have the chemo done in your hometown. I was given the same choice and I chose to drive to my cancer onco each week. Before it was over I was wishing I would have done it here in my hometown.Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Ken - so happy that you really like the rad onc and that he spent time explaining things and making you feel comfortable. Wishing you the very best with your treatments and minimal side effects. It's pretty crazy that a drug given to minimize side effects can cause side effects...hoping you will be in that 10% and none of it will be an issue. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Good luck Ken. I get the feeling you have made the best choice. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Ken - Sending you prayers for no side effects and that all goes well for you. Its wonderful that you really like your new doc - that makes such a difference!! Let us know how you are doing. Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolasDaughter Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Ken, Congrats on the decision being made and best wishes for smooth sailing. My mom also experienced minimal side effects when she was just doing chemo (fatigue only). She is doing concurrent chemo/rad now and continues with no additional side affects - the fatigue is just more pronounced, but she is still keeping up many of her normal activities. Best, Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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