Hi folks,
I'll be meeting w/ the Rad Onc doctor this week. Odds are he'll recommend the tried and true 28 sessions of radiation along with Chemo. I've seen a lot of posts about the post-op chemo experience. However, besides AppleTree's excellent diary, I've not seen a lot of comments about peoples' pre-op experiences.
So, any words of advice and/or encouragement? I'm dreading the problems, especially the sexual side effects, but I'd rather go in w/ full knowledge rather than get an unpleasant surprise later.
Thanks!
VodKanockers wrote:One other item I thought might be worth a mention as a possible positive of the treatment - many of my symptoms that led me to a dx were greatly diminished during the course of chemorad treatment. In the weeks/months leading up to dx, I had way increased BM frequency, tenesmus, pencil-thin stools, etc. After a couple of weeks of sessions this started to improve and was much better by the time treatments ended. It made the time between this treatment and surgery seem a little more like normal and I was happy to be rid of some of the issues.
Anyway, if you have any symptoms like I had, you may enjoy some temporary relief from some/all of them in the time before surgery. Maybe it's a stretch to call it a silver lining, but thought I would mention it.
Big Jay wrote:While I'm not looking forward to the next year I have now reached the point where I want to just get it over with. The sooner it gets started the sooner it'll be over.
Big Jay wrote:Outside of a little blood in the stool, every once in while, I've never had any symptoms. Heck I outside of the stress, anxiety and mild depression from the cancer DX I feel great.
mgraham wrote:Has anybody mentioned endorectal brachytherapy to you? They've been doing trials at Hopkins and given what you've written in your sig, you might qualify. I underwent this treatment there myself.
4 treatments and no chemo.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/radiation_oncology/treatments/brachytherapy.html#endorectal
mgraham wrote:Is your surgeon dr Gearhart?
I'm 44 and about two years out from my surgery. If you need anything, feel free to hit me up.
Big Jay wrote:My next appointment is w/ the Med Oncologist: Dr. Ilene Browner, and I can't find out much info about her. While I'm sure she's good her areas of interest seem to be Geriatric Oncology and Palliative Care... While I won't claim to be young I'm well away from being Geriatric and, unless they've been lying to me about my stage, I don't even want to consider the Palliative part. The Rad Onc Doc was a bit dismissive about needing the Med Onc at this point because "all they do is write the Xeloda prescription" so I'm not sure if Dr. Browner is my post op Onc. Any suggestions for a Hopkins Onc would be appreciated. I've already heard good things about Dr. Donehower and I'll likely look him up.
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