16 treatments

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kwing514
kwing514 Member Posts: 12
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Has anyone else had the shorter/more intense 16 treatments? I asked the Rad Onc if I would feel more tired with the higher dosage. He said , "No, it shouldn't be a factor.", yet I am finding my energy level is far less than others who have had twice the number of treatments.

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited December 2013

    I had 15 treatments with a bolus which intensified the radiotherapy in the area where the lump was and felt fine the whole way through

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited December 2013

    it's the norm in Ontario - 16 treatments. Once every weekday for 3 weeks with the weekends off. I believe we all do it here, so I doubt there's much to be concerned about. it was only after joining BCO that I discovered people elsewhere (in the US) do it for twice as long. so may people asking what creams to use, etc. etc. If I remember correctly i was told not to interfere by using creams, and bought none. But maybe there are people for whom it is a serious issue...

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

    I had quite a bit of fatigue over the course of 30 treatments - remember to that the dosage is also about how much area they are covering (mine was hitting the supraclavical nodes as well as the breast and axillia region). If I had been given the option of 15 treatments, I would have taken it (and still would). Just the driving, parking, undressing, dressing, and having to be 'doing' the cancer thing for 30 days is exhausting in and of itself. I did find that staying hydrated with drinks with electrolytes helped with the fatigue some. 

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited December 2013

    I live in Ontario, finished my RX in Aug. but had 33 tx. I did ask my RO (who is chief of rx onc) and he told me that because my cancer was so agressive, they wanted to throw everything at it. I really think it depends on your own unique situation and you should feel confident in your team and trust their plan.

    As far as creams, glaxol or lubriderm were recommended, but again I would check with your own dr.

    I was tired pretty much from the start, but I did have an almost 2 hour drive, one way - so I'm sure that was a big part of my fatigue. Rest, hydrate and be good to yourself, don't put too much on your agenda, you will be fine and it will be a memory before you know it!

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