Me on the table A favorite of all the cancer terminology is "NED", which means "No Evidence of Disease." Since there is no cure, this is what every cancer patient waits to hear. In order to get me to "NED", my treatment plan includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Everyone's treatment plan is different but lucky me, I get all three.
If I said that the symptoms of radiation are mild compared to chemotherapy, that would be an understatement. But let's NOT compare... since not everyone has to have chemo.
At treatment #21 out of a total 28, I have some skin redness on the radiated area and it hurts like a sunburn, but the worst of all the side effects is the fatigue. And when I say 'fatigue' - that is an understatement! I am completely exhausted and there are moments when I absolutely can not move. I will be in the middle of doing dishes and something comes over me and I have to drop and run to the couch. It's not a tiredness that makes me want to sleep, it's more of a body tired that makes me not want to move.
I wish I could sleep. All the 'defects' I lived with before cancer, such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome are so much worse after going through the treatments, but I knew that would happen because I was pre-warned by the nurses and doctors.
So let's add it all up: Previous insomnia now inflamed along with the previous RLS that is also now inflamed on top of radiation fatigue; AND let's add in the fact that for at least 6 more months, my body will still be recovering from the chemotherapy treatments. This makes for a VERY tired (and very cranky) girl.
Here is my official apology to my very patient friends and family who stick around and put up with my terribly cranky attitude. Especially you Mom, who listens to me bitch every single day but still picks up the phone when I call.
If I said that the symptoms of radiation are mild compared to chemotherapy, that would be an understatement. But let's NOT compare... since not everyone has to have chemo.
At treatment #21 out of a total 28, I have some skin redness on the radiated area and it hurts like a sunburn, but the worst of all the side effects is the fatigue. And when I say 'fatigue' - that is an understatement! I am completely exhausted and there are moments when I absolutely can not move. I will be in the middle of doing dishes and something comes over me and I have to drop and run to the couch. It's not a tiredness that makes me want to sleep, it's more of a body tired that makes me not want to move.
I wish I could sleep. All the 'defects' I lived with before cancer, such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome are so much worse after going through the treatments, but I knew that would happen because I was pre-warned by the nurses and doctors.
So let's add it all up: Previous insomnia now inflamed along with the previous RLS that is also now inflamed on top of radiation fatigue; AND let's add in the fact that for at least 6 more months, my body will still be recovering from the chemotherapy treatments. This makes for a VERY tired (and very cranky) girl.
Here is my official apology to my very patient friends and family who stick around and put up with my terribly cranky attitude. Especially you Mom, who listens to me bitch every single day but still picks up the phone when I call.
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