Hey everyone, it's me again. Thanks to all so for for reading and for those who have offered advice. It is very helpful. I am writing on behalf of my mum, who as SCLC on right lung. She has undergone 3 chemo sessions, which have considerably shrunk the tumour. They have now offered radiotherapy, which I hope she consents too but respect 100% it's her decision.
They have offered three options.
1) 20 sessions, ( 4 weeks). Side effects etc. 1-5 the tumour disappears. Side effects last longer and doubles prognosis.
2) 10 sessions ( 2 weeks). Side effects not as harsh and life expectancy not as long
3) 5 sessions (1 week ) as above.
I understand the side effects are not as harsh as chemo but they are different for everyone. I live a distance away from my mum and looking at moving her near to me in the coming months.
My question is, what is recovery time like after radiotherapy? Am I being to optimistic to move her? What shall I expect? I am hoping to move her in the autumn. I just want her to be near me....
I hear most people don't really have any side effects. Be good to hear from people who have had any of the options and how they felt afterwards.
Thank you again for your support
Written by
Paulo1976
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Hi - good news that the chemo has had a positive impact on your mum’s tumour size. I had SABR radiation (targeted high dose radiotherapy), over 5 days in 2019. My only side effect was extreme tiredness and fatigue. Wishing your mum all the best x
It is good to hear the chemotherapy has shrunk the tumour, and you are right in that the side effects are very different with radiotherapy.
As you know, everyone can be different in their reaction, however most people feel an extreme fatigue near the end of the radiotherapy treatment, which does pass, it can last for a few weeks or less for some people. It can also depend on what area of the lung is having the radiotherapy treatment for potential side effects, the oncology team will have discussed this with your mum, or your mum could have a chat to the lung cancer nurse specialist.
It is understandable trying to work out a timeline, unlike chemotherapy which can be paused due to side effects, so radiotherapy may be easier to work out dates for your mum to move nearer you.
As you say it depends on what your mum would like to do and what course of treatment she would feel up to: to have it done in a week and have plenty time to recover , or space it out over the 10 or 20 sessions. It also depends if your mum will be staying with you until you find a place or if you have something in place already, you may want to consider that you have the time to be there for her as she recovers and not be stressed with a big move. It is a lovely thing you are doing and am sure you will both work out what is best for your circumstances.
This link will take you to our booklet on radiotherapy which you can download, it provides information on side effects and recovery: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
If you are interested we have an online support group for carers through zoom and you can find details of this through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...
You are welcome to contact ask the nurse on our free helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org
hi I’m 74yrs old and had 20 sessions of radiotherapy including 5 of SABR. I was fine apart from fatigue at the end of the treatment. However this soon passed. I hope your mum does well on the radiotherapy.
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