Ten consecutive days of treatments?

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ketofan
ketofan Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After


When I was first prescribed radiation, it was explained to me that it would be for 5 days on and 2 days off, and that the weekend days would give me a chance for rest and for some recuperation to take place. It was also explained that there would be no treatments for 2 days at Thanksgiving and for 2 days at Christmas. But, last week (my first full 5 days) I was offered the option of treatments on the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. This would mean 10 straight days of treatment followed by 4 days off. I don't know what to think. It seems to me that the normal cells would have more difficulty with healing and/or regeneration without a break during 10 days. Has anyone else had this option?


I would so welcome anyone's opinion though I realize the decision is mine to make.


Jane

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited November 2013


    Honestly I think the weekends and/or holidays off is more to do with scheduling the staff and equipment than a deliberate attempt to let normal cells heal. The idea is to kill any stray bc cells. My course wasn't the same as yours -- I went 5 days/week for 6 weeks, which was mentally and logistically very draining and would have accepted an offer to go continue straight through weekends merely to have the treatment over sooner.

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited November 2013


    I tend to agree with CTMOM... I mean really the 'rest' days just happen to coincide with weekends, Thanksgiving, and Christmas? Those are the days the Techs want off & that's fair enough. My rads - scheduled for 30 - five days on weekends off. Funny how the schedule always works to have either holidays or weekends off. But really.. the impression I go was that they wanted to hit you with a 'dosage' in a certain period of time; neither my radiation techs nor my rads onc were upset when I missed days. Maybe ask you onc if just going with the schedule that works best for you is okay?

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  • gilbert
    gilbert Member Posts: 9
    edited November 2013


    I think you should stay with the schedule you were originally given . I say take all the time off you can and let you body rest. Its going to be hard enough to have a good Christmas as it is. I'm going to use the weekends to try to get ready for the holidays. My treatment started this week also. Can you feel anything yet? I fell sorer than when I started, but I don't know if its in my mind or real.

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  • ketofan
    ketofan Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2013


    I opted for the Sat. and Sun. treatments before Thanksgiving, but will not do that the weekend before Christmas. This morning was my 13th treatment. There is no tenderness on the skin, but it is red and somewhat raised. No one in this cancer center suggested Silvadene , but my plastic surgeon prescribed it and has for many years, so, it is being applied liberally two times a day. Frankly, I'm still so frightened by the radiation that I may not complete the treatments. My radiologist doesn't take my concerns seriously and says that heart damage will not occur. He's in his late 70's and acts as though he's never seen any complications. That inspires little confidence.

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  • baridirects
    baridirects Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2013


    Hi, ketofan,


    I can tell you that, as part of my simulation that was done at the very beginning of my radiation treatments, X-rays/scans were done to determine the position of my heart while supine. Evidently, there's some natural variation as to where everyone's heart lies in the chest at rest. Having those measurements permits the radiology treatment staff to plan the positioning of the treatment fields so as to protect the heart from exposure as much as possible while still giving an effective dose. I had been told that, had my cancer been in my right breast instead of my left, there would be far, far less concern about cardiac involvement. As it was, my heart rides a bit low, so they were able to avoid radiating it altogether, which was great news! You might ask about all that, just for your peace of mind, but seeing as your disease was on the right side, perhaps that's why your rad onc is telling you that heart damage will not occur in your particular case.


    Radiation, like all other treatment modalities, is a weapon against this beast that we're all fighting. It has it's own side effects and challenges, but if you see it in the light of something that will help you to survive this portion of your journey and walk away to a long and hopefully healthy future, perhaps it will allay some of your fear.


    Namaste,


    Christine

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