Radiation

Hi Kingston

Do you mean Radiotherapy?  If yes, it is a very effective treatment for lung cancers.  

Although everyone reacts differently, the main side effect of Radiotherapy is tiredness.  It is painless to have, all you will need to do is lie still on the Radiotherapy table while the machine moves around you to 'zap' the areas requiring the treatment.  It has been developed to ensure the least possible healthy tissue is 'zapped'..  Each session only takes minutes and other than the arm of the machine moving around you, you will not see or feel the radiotherapy being delivered.

Hope this helps a little bit. I wish you the best possible outcomes.

Kegsy x

Ah thanks Kegsy .Does it cause any skin irritation as my skin has been breaking down a bit I believe someone somewhere said there was a cream that was wonderful .Does anyone know about this?

Hi Kingston , when I had my radiotherapy my skin didn't break down but it felt hot and itchy , when i said to the nurses who were doing the radiotherapy they gave me a cream called Xerobase and it helped relieve the itch , maybe this is the cream someone told you about . When you shower just pat the skin dry don't rub it.

As Kegsy said , each session is only minutes , I found if I sang a song ( in my head ) the time passed quite quickly.

You may feel more tired but this passes after a few weeks when treatment finishes , you may see a nurse each week and she will ask how you are coping and of you have any side effects , so if you have any questions you can speak to her .

I had to get medicine for my throat and a cough bottle as where it was zapping me was close to my throat but I just ate a soft diet for a couple of weeks and I was fine , the main side effect is the tiredness .

I hope this helps you .

Take care x 

Sandra 

Thank you Sandra 

it’s great because here on this forum you get honest answers  and yours was informative. You want to know good and not so good what might happen so you can ready yourself for it Its more  worrying not knowing what to expect .

Hi Kingston

You need to start preparing the skin on your torso now to try to prevent any sore skin issues.  There is are lots of good moisturisers out there.  You do not need to spend a fortune; something like Sudocrem would help.

I forgot to mention on my initial post that at each session, the Radiographers will ask you how you are feeling. It took me over a week to realise they were not just being polite and it was a genuine question!  If you are not feeling quite right then you must tell them; It wont stop the radiotherapy session but they may arrange for you to see a doctor after  the session.

I found the radiotherapy aspect of my treatment plan was the easiest in terms of side effects.

Good luck.

Kesgsy

Sandra thank you do you mean zerobase ?

Thank you I am waiting on the results on the 25/11 so until then I m not sure where the radiotherapy will be  but I do cream up with aveeno at the moment and save Sudafed for really sore points so that sounds like good advice thank you .Do you know why the breathing tests seem so important ?

Hi Kingston , whoops never was any good at spelling , yes it's zerobase , sorry about mix up . 

Take care x 

Sandra 

No problem just wanted to check Thank you

Hi Kingston

The lung function tests provide an overview of how well your lungs are performing.  The results from the test form part of the full picture information, which in turn help your cancer team to put together the treatment plan that is best suited to your overall health as well as the cancer.

Hope this helps.

Kegsy x