| andicat |
| (member) |
| 28/08/2008 15:46 |
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Radiotherapy
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As there are some of you who have either had radiotherapy or are ‘medical bods’ – I just thought I would ask a couple of questions.
My Dad will shortly be having a course of radiotherapy on the lymph nodes under his arm. He has been told that it is quite likely (65% chance) that he will have permanent lymphodaema (sp?) in his arm with associated loss of mobility. We seem to have been given conflicting information on his mobility; the first oncologist said that he would have very little movement, not able to drive, pick things up, etc. When we went back again last week a different doctor said that although his arm would be permanently swollen and sometimes painful, he would still have full mobility, albeit limited to a certain extent by the swelling. Can anyone tell me which is most likely to happen?
Also, they said that the radiotherapy will not make him ill or tired – it would just be the constant travelling to and from the hospital for 5 weeks that would affect him and I wondered if that was other people’s experience of it?
Sorry for such a long post, but I felt sure you would be able to help out
| ButterflyBlue |
| (member) |
| 28/08/2008 19:33 |
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Re: Radiotherapy
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Sorry to hear about your dad Andicat but I'm not able to help regarding lymphoadema. Both my in-laws have had radiotherepy, FIL for bladder cancer and no problems apart from sensitive skin initially but ok now. MIL is nearly 84 with, amongst other things, lung cancer, again sensitive skin was a problem and she was tired but having said that, she is still very tired 10 months later so I'm not sure it was the radiotherepy that caused it.
Hopefully someone on the forum will be able to help.
| Bluebell35 |
| (member) |
| 28/08/2008 20:45 |
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Re: Radiotherapy
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Hi andicat
I'm not sure if my contribution here will help, but just in case here goes.
My dad has got bowl cancer and is starting a 5 week course of radiotheraphy in September. Due to the travel issue, the hospital have arranged for him to stay in a hotel Monday - Friday for the 5 weeks near to the hospital. A cancer charity will send a driver to collect him each day from the hotel, take him to the hospital, then return him to the hotel. Although it means he will spend alot of time on his own, it does mean that there will be no travelling.
Perhaps its worth asking your hospital if they do anything like this?
As for the side affects, I dont know the answer. I am the youngest in the family and live 200 miles away so cant attend appointments with him; and my sisters dont seem to give me details of what has been said.
I will be thinking of you x
Bluebell35xx
| andicat |
| (member) |
| 29/08/2008 14:33 |
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Re: Radiotherapy
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Thanks Blubella35
Sorry to hear about your Dad, I hope the radiotherapy helps him. I didn’t know that hospitals could arrange that sort of thing, although I don’t think my Dad would do it if it was offered, but I’ll make some enquiries about the cancer charity drivers – do you know which charity it is?
I live about 60 miles away, so to go with them to the 2 appointments meant me taking 2 days holiday. I don’t often wish I lived closer, but I do at the moment, if only to give my Mum some relief, make some meals, etc.
As I’m an only child, I seem to get all of the details, but don’t really have anyone to talk to, OH and friends are good, but it’s not quite the same.
I’ll be thinking of you, too – what date does your Dad start his course?
Andicat x