Dawna (dj)'s Profile Page

Hi Dawna,
I didn’t have radiation myself. I ended up going for 8 RCHOP treatments. The mouth rinse they gave me I believe was called lidocaine which was pretty gross tasting, but numbed my mouth and seemed to take care of the issue pretty quickly. The Neulasta shot was also pretty harsh to me as well. It felt like I got beat up especially my back. I bet it will be a relief to have the PICC line removed. I am also looking forward to having my port taken out soon.
Take Care,
Jeff

Posted on January 23, 2012 at 10:30:17 PM by Jeff

Hi Dawna,

I had 20 sessions of radiation, plus 3 high dosage booster sessions on the right side of my neck, under my chin, all the way back to my spine. Also down towards my shoulder.

Radiation is painless and lasts about 15 minutes a session. Painless except for the burning (like a bad sunburn) near the later sessions. You will also be very tired all the time.

They will build you a custom fitted plastic mesh mask which is to hold you perfectly still during radiation. (I sure hope you’re not Claustrophobic)
You can request that you keep your mask after it’s all over (I did) as a souvenir. (your warrior mask)

Radiation is not at all as bad as Chemo. I had 6 sessions of R-CHOP chemo and I found it rough.

Hang in there Dawna – it’ll be over before you know it.

Hugs,
Fred:-)

Posted on January 20, 2012 at 10:59:18 AM by Private User

Dawna, how are things going? I was going out with friends and family etc about 3 weeks post my last chemo treatment and started doing sports again about 6 weeks post chemo so all in pretty swiftly after finishing :)

Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:24:28 PM by Private User

Nick, thank you so much for you note. You sound great. Makes me feel like it’s only a matter of time before I’ll be very active and back to normal. I’m such an active person…it’s hard to be down. How long do you think when everything was over that you were up and out…doing normal things? I realize everyone is different. But, you should active like I am. Plus, you are a lot younger. Just curious. I love this site…people are so wonderful. Like you my new friend.
xo
dj

Posted on January 17, 2012 at 12:05:11 PM by Dawna (dj)

Hi Dawna, sorry you are going through cancer again (!). To answer your questions: my hair didn’t change colour, texture or thickness etc and came back in pretty quickly but then apparently I looked more like a monkey when I was born so that might just be me! My lymph node was quite big – bit larger than a golf ball so maybe that was why they removed it? Also the biopsy I had was initially inclusive so I think they needed more to sample. I didn’t suffer from dry mouth – I take it you are? I made sure to rinse my mouth frequently with bicarbonate of soda and mouthwash (non alcoholic) to reduce the likeliness of sores etc. I didn’t have to have radiation I think this was due to the fact that my PET scan was clear BEFORE starting chemo and they prefer not to give radiation treatment to us younger folk. There are numerous people on here who have had radiation for NHL so it seems to be a common form of treatment; from what I gather no-one has had any complications from it. Good luck for your final treatment and don’t hesitate to ask more questions – keep us all informed how you get on!

Nick xx

Posted on January 17, 2012 at 11:47:22 AM by Private User

Currently fighting Non-Hodgkin Diffused Large B cell Lymphoma. Found in a pea size hard nodule behind right ear lobe, and underneath center of chin. I have 1 more 7hr. R-Chop Chemo end of this month. Then nothing for month of Feb. Start 3 weeks of everyday radiation March 1st. THIS IS WHERE I NEED HELP. RUNNING SCARED. WORRIED ABOUT HOW THIS RADIATION IS GOING TO AFFECT ME. MY THROAT, MY SALIVA GLANDS, MY HEARING. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS? PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU.

Posted on January 16, 2012 at 5:22:59 PM by Dawna (dj)