Radiation and MBC: So after much... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Radiation and MBC

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So after much consideration I have had to give in and have radiation on my pelvis. One off treatment only. I was seen by the Consultant last Wednesday and had treatment Friday. No time to even think about it. I felt so sick and tired I was beginning to wonder was this worse than the pain I was experiencing. Now a week on today I feel so much better. I have been for a nice walk with no real repercussions. My pain so far has eased and I’m hoping the right decision was made. I was always concerned as my Oncologist said I could only have one treatment. When I saw the Specialist Radiologist he said this is wrong and lots of patients are told this. He said I could have it again but not for a while obviously. I was so relieved. For the first time though my blood test pre treatment showed my Calcium level a bit low. I take 5 Adcal +D3 over every two day period. I wondered if my level dropped due to Radiation but apparently this isn’t so. I have to increase the Adcal now. I have started taking Magnesium due to cramp, some of you lovely ladies on here recommended it. It has been great. It has worked. Apparently that can interfere with Calcium uptake. I since read that’s not quite right. Last night I had awful cramp. First time in ages. Honestly, swings and roundabouts here.

Anyway, anyone has the same experience? Tall ask but just for my info.

A picture I took in Poland when we last went. Can’t wait to get back there for a visit.

Take care everyone.

Cheryl

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27 Replies
BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea

Cheryl. So happy for you that the radiation has eased your pain. Taking a nice long walk must have felt great!

in reply to BluHydrangea

Was fabulous. Lovely sunshine today. Hopefully a trip to the allotment tomorrow. Then, it’s growing season again. Best wishes

Thatflowerlady profile image
Thatflowerlady

Beautiful picture ! I am so glad the radiation was successful and has reduced your pain .

Luann

in reply to Thatflowerlady

Thank you Luann. Hope you are feeling better now.

Thatflowerlady profile image
Thatflowerlady in reply to

I am feeling better thank you !

jersey-jazz profile image
jersey-jazz

Dear Flower FairyMay I please come too?

XXX OOO

in reply to jersey-jazz

Yes of course. You are very welcome 💗

JPutt profile image
JPutt

I am so glad to hear you feel better. I get cramps sometimes and take magnesium for a while and it does help. My oncologist said that was fine and nobody has ever mentioned the effect on calcium. I also take adcal and my calcium levels have always been fine. But as you, say, swings and roundabouts - it seems there is always something.... all best to you x

in reply to JPutt

Think we all feel nervous and apprehensive with anything medical that isn’t the norm.🌻🌹

Hi Sandra. I had breast cancer in 2013 and had just radiotherapy as treatment. That was a minute each time for 15 days. I must say my skin suffered at that time. This is totally different. Like you, my Oncologist offered the treatment every 3 months I spoke to him. I held back as I wasn’t sure how things would progress. I also have a badly worn hip joint which isn’t helping with pain control but I can honestly say a week on from the Pelvic treatment I feel much better.I feel the Nurse the treated me yesterday gave me the wrong information on Magnesium and Calcium. I wasn’t best pleased when I checked it out and found she was wrong.

I have lots of nuts and seeds in my diet now. Plus green leafy veg. I’m just hoping it goes back to normal.

Best wishes and thanks for replying.

Cheryl

I’m glad it’s given you relief for walking. I hope the other symptoms abate.

The photo from Poland is lovely.

Keep us posted please.

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Hi, Cheryl! Love your photo and glad you’re feeling better!

Linda

💗💗🙏🏻🙏🏻

Hi Cheryl. Well done on biting the bullet, it was obviously the right thing to do for you. Now the weather is a bit more Spring-like you can get out and about more.Love the picture of Poland. I haven’t been there but will do one day

Clare x

in reply to

Feeling much better Clare. We have been to the allotment two days on the trot. It’s been beautiful there. My crocus and tulips are shooting up and the birds are singing. I even caught the sun a bit today so factor50 on tomorrow. I hope you are keeping well and not working to hard. I am sure you are enjoying the countryside around you right now. Best wishes. Cheryl

in reply to

Hi Cheryl so glad you are feeling better. I can hear the bounciness in your words. This lockdown was just starting to get to me, but the good weather has brightened things a bit. We are still very restricted here so just walking to the beach when I can. I am thankful we have the beach and scenery to look at.Your allotment is going to be top notch this year with the amount of time you will be spending there. Enjoy the sunshine

Clare

in reply to

You to Clare. Looks good for the week. It was wonderful looking across the water at the Mountains today. X

Scandia68 profile image
Scandia68

I had radiation to my mbc in my pelvis last week for the first time and felt dreadful. So tired I couldn’t stay awake through a meal and in incredible pain. I took more painkillers in the first few days than I have in the last five years. Now I feel great and it was definitely worth it. I was told I can have it again in a year or so if needed.

in reply to Scandia68

Great news. On the road together. Take care.x

R7777 profile image
R7777

Hi! I had excruciating pain in my spine due to mets. Broken vertebra too. I received 1 big shot of radiation and about week later I saw a huge difference. I literally have my life back. 👍🏻What are the bad sites of having radiation? I didnt have much time( or choice) to think about it. I was in so much pain- I had to do something. Morphine was not helping any more.

in reply to R7777

I’m so pleased it worked for you. I am actually feeling the benefits a week on. I’m sure it will get easier over the next few weeks. Take care.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Stunning photo. So glad you have had relief from your treatment.

SoulJourney profile image
SoulJourney

Good Morning Cheryl,

I am so happy that pain is easing up for you! Radiation is another treatment that is changing and seeing improvements in how it is being administered.

7 years ago after spinal surgery - long story but due to MBC - I received radiation daily for 2 weeks. It was traumatic but necessary. I did not have radiation for 4 years after that. I am regularly followed by my Radiation Oncologist and my Oncologist/Hematologist.

They both recommended a single dose radiation treatment for my ribs. After my first experience I resisted.

Once I could no longer sleep in my bed I finally agreed. They both warned me that it gets worse before it gets better. I couldn't have imagined how much easier the single dose is to tolerate and how much faster recovery is.

I was so happy with the results that at my 3 week appointment I brought up other areas that were giving me a lot of pain. I had my hip, tailbone and shoulder radiated a few months later. I have also had my C4 radiated in 2 doses since that time.

A month ago, my ribs were treated again. 2 years and 3months after the first treatment and my Radiation Onc. told me he was glad I didn't wait so long to get it taken care of as they could use a lower dose and less worry about complications (ribs breaking).

I now have a great deal of assurance in this treat as the short term discomfort and recovery time are minimal compared to the benefits and quality of life post treatment.

You are well on your way to more walks and enjoying a beautiful summer!

Hope you have years of relief!

Tammie

in reply to SoulJourney

You have given such good reassuring news Tammie. I’m so pleased you have a positive outcome. I will need radiation to my hip and maybe spine and ribs in time. I will go ahead with it if and when it’s offered. I felt I was dealing my trump card after being told I could only have it once. Being misinformed about that didn’t help my decision originally. Now I know I can have more treatment if needed I feel much happier. Take care and thank you.

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965

Hi Cheryl I’m glad you are feeling better after your treatment.

This thread is interesting. I have banked the info should I need it further down the line.

I love your photo, presumably taken in one of the old squares outside a restaurant or amber jewellery store. Our family lived in Warsaw for four years when the girls were young. I particularly liked the fresh berries sold everywhere during the summer. We’d buy a punnet of freshly picked strawberries or blueberries or raspberries and eat them like sweats - delicious! Vicki x

in reply to stardust1965

What lovely memories you have Vicki. We go Kraków mostly. Oh goodness, the berries, apricots and cherries bought from the market are gorgeous. Grown on family run land. We visited Warsaw last time we went. This photo was taken there. I love the country and the folks. They are friendly helpful people. The food is good and the history even better. Once it’s safe to travel again this will be our first port of call. We had to cancel last years trip due,to Covid. Best wishes.

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965 in reply to

Krakow is the place I always recommend to friends who are wondering where to holiday next in Europe. It’s one of those best kept secrets for a travel destination, especially from the UK. Here’s hoping we can travel again before too long. 🤞

blms profile image
blms

When I had 5.5 weeks of radiation several years ago, what helped me dramatically wass walking every morning and every evening and I took COQ10 400mgs twice daily. Both helped a lot.

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