driving while getting radiation?

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13Patty
13Patty Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

My partner is having a lumpectomy two weeks from today.  After that, she'll have 6-7 weeks of radiation treatments.   Of course, I want to support and help her every way I can.  I will be able to drive her to most of her treatments, but there will be a few days when I'm out of town.  Does anyone know if it's ok for her to drive herself? We live about 45 minutes away.   Thanks.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited July 2012

    It should be OK for her to drive herself, but some people notice quite a bit of fatigue.  I think it would be great if she has someone to keep her company on the drive, but if she has to do it by herself, she'll probably be fine.

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  • Jillejo
    Jillejo Member Posts: 32
    edited July 2012

    I drove myself to radiation every day after work, and it wasn't a problem. It was about 35 mins each way, and I had fun listening to the radio without anyone needing anything from me (I have 3 children). Sometimes I turned the radio off and just enjoyed the quiet. It really was not bad!

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2012

    She should be OK driving herself. I drove myself/by myself to all of my RADs appts(1/2 hr away). There was one woman whose treatment overlapped mine. She had a friend come with her each day. She had chemo & was having trouble rebounding. Although most women here seem to drive themselves to & from chemo also.

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  • 13Patty
    13Patty Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2012

    Thank you all so much!  That's really good to know.

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited July 2012

    I was slammed [physically] by radiation. I did need my partner to drive me during that last week, but I drove myself both ways during the first 30+ sesssions. I had a lot of rads.

    *susan* 

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  • 13Patty
    13Patty Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2012

    Thanks, I'll pay attention to how my partner's feeling, and take her to as many treatments as possible.  It really helps to hear what people have experienced.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited July 2012

    yeap, did the 36 miles each way to work all during the rads

    worked during it all but did bag it some days as way tired, way tired by the end

    also, I did my rads in the morning, I am a morning person so if I was tired at 3...I left

    best of luck to your pal

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  • Lou10
    Lou10 Member Posts: 332
    edited July 2012

    I had about 6 weeks of radiation and commuted daily via highway and ferry, so my days were full days even though I wasn't working. I was exhausted from chemo and on a lot of pain meds (I have bad neck arthritis and the position of my neck during rads made the pain terrible). And I got more tired from the rads nearer the end. But I was able to drive myself without incident (not counting the side mirror issue in the cancer agency parking lot!)

    It would have been great to have a partner take me to rads. A neighbour offered but I'm not good at accepting help and it would have been a major time commitment for her (also, I didn't want to have to talk to anyone while in transit). Your partner is lucky to have you. Best wishes to you both.

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