Chemo+rad for chest lymph node

[JJ2212]

Hi all. I'm hoping to hear about your experiences with chemorad to the lung/chest area.

I'm scheduled to start 10 chemorad (5fu) sessions on Monday for an enlarged mediastinal lymph node. This lymph node has been enlaraged for a few years now, but controlled while I was on Stivarga. It unfortunately grew significantly in the past few months, to the point where it is now blocking a bronchial artery and has caused my middle right lobe to collapse.

The radiation oncologist mentioned fatigue, skin irritation, esophageal irritation and pneumonia as possible side effects. I know everyone is different, but can someone share their experience? Also, I took Xeloda when I had neoadjuvant chemorad in 2013, so I don't know how the 5fu will be given. Is it a daily dose on radiation days or is it a 5-day infusion pump?

Thanks,

Janie

[Ajane]

Janie, I completed 20 sessions of radiation with four weekly infusions of Carbo-Taxol six weeks ago to the mediastinal region. In my case, Carbo-Taxol was recommended over 5FU because of my genetic testing results. If I had chosen 5FU, it would have been delivered by pump continually 24/7 over the 4 week period.
The fatigue, skin irritation, and esophagitis began at the end of week 2, escalating dramatically through week 3 and 4. With 10 sessions, I'm hopeful you won't have the side effects I did with fatique, skin irritation, and esophagitis (a long history of GERD predisposed me and made me more susceptible to the radiation induced esophageal ulcers that I'm now slowly healing from).
If you find you are struggling with esophagitis, ask your Radiation Oncologist for a prescription of Carafate to coat and protect the ultra-sensitive esophagus. It was (and remains) a God-send in allowing the ulcers to heal!
Feel free to pm me if you've any questions or just need to chat with someone who has "been there."
Wishing you the best, Jane