How do I go through 6 weeks radiation and chemotherapy, alone?

Posted by kmlnj @kmlnj, Nov 5, 2024

I am a 72 year old widow in good health. I had a complete thyroidectomy. There is some inoperable cancer left on my trachea and tiny bit on neck lymph nodes.

I am trying to understand the "how to" of 6 weeks radiation.
Can I live alone?
Will I get so tired that I can't care for myself?
Will I get so tired I can't take the train to my treatment?
I don't know what to expect.
Thanks
Kathleen

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We would all be surprised if we could know how many people have and are facing these struggles alone ! And especially seniors !
I'm nearly 75.
At 72, colon and lung cancers and surgeries.
At 73, Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism.
At 74, prostate cancer and only this past Monday, HDR BRACHYTHERAPY w/ 25 needles.
I have done it all alone, always by myself, not even a hospital visitor. Drove myself, living alone, no help, nothing.
Now, I'm not going to say that this is ideal.
When you are sick at night, and sitting in the bathroom, it would be nice to have someone bring you a cold washcloth for your head.
I am going to say that, at least in my case, you get use to it. There is no question that it makes you stronger because you don't have the option to be weak or give up !

As seniors, we don't want to lose our self reliance, give up our drivers licenses, leave our homes, etc. Living with our adult children or going to assisted living nursing, is not in the cards.
So we keep pushing on !
You will be amazed to find what you can do when the alternatives are far less than desirable !

All it takes, is to say out loud, "I can do this!" !!!
And do it !
And be happy in the aftermath to say, "Well, shit, that wasn't so bad !"

Best to you, PAUL

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@paul28

We would all be surprised if we could know how many people have and are facing these struggles alone ! And especially seniors !
I'm nearly 75.
At 72, colon and lung cancers and surgeries.
At 73, Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism.
At 74, prostate cancer and only this past Monday, HDR BRACHYTHERAPY w/ 25 needles.
I have done it all alone, always by myself, not even a hospital visitor. Drove myself, living alone, no help, nothing.
Now, I'm not going to say that this is ideal.
When you are sick at night, and sitting in the bathroom, it would be nice to have someone bring you a cold washcloth for your head.
I am going to say that, at least in my case, you get use to it. There is no question that it makes you stronger because you don't have the option to be weak or give up !

As seniors, we don't want to lose our self reliance, give up our drivers licenses, leave our homes, etc. Living with our adult children or going to assisted living nursing, is not in the cards.
So we keep pushing on !
You will be amazed to find what you can do when the alternatives are far less than desirable !

All it takes, is to say out loud, "I can do this!" !!!
And do it !
And be happy in the aftermath to say, "Well, shit, that wasn't so bad !"

Best to you, PAUL

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Amen.

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I have the same concerns I am about to start radiation for Chondrosarcoma on my head and neck.
would I be able to drive after my radiation treatment?

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There is someone in this group who drove to all his treatments. I am expecting to be very tired. Exhaustion is the #1 side effect. I have found a chauffeur service that will drive my car and wait. I have friends who offered to drive. I am guessing I will need help starting week 3 or 4. I will put together a driving team.

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@kmlnj

There is someone in this group who drove to all his treatments. I am expecting to be very tired. Exhaustion is the #1 side effect. I have found a chauffeur service that will drive my car and wait. I have friends who offered to drive. I am guessing I will need help starting week 3 or 4. I will put together a driving team.

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I’m hopeful that I will be able to get myself to and back from my treatments
If not I’m sure my roommates will be able to help me out until the time comes I’ll be praying that I’ll love able to do it I have nothing else family here in San Antonio just my two roommates

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@sanmartin70

I’m hopeful that I will be able to get myself to and back from my treatments
If not I’m sure my roommates will be able to help me out until the time comes I’ll be praying that I’ll love able to do it I have nothing else family here in San Antonio just my two roommates

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Full support from here ... I went through all 35 radiation sessions on my own - i.e. either getting support drivers from the Cancer Society which the hospital referred me to, and days when I was not able to have volunteer drivers, I have to arrange for cabs (Uber was not around those days/years!).
Good that you have roommates to reach out to, and at same time - perhaps the hospital that you are getting treatments from may be able to assist and refer you to a program.
All the best - take care !!

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@josk

Full support from here ... I went through all 35 radiation sessions on my own - i.e. either getting support drivers from the Cancer Society which the hospital referred me to, and days when I was not able to have volunteer drivers, I have to arrange for cabs (Uber was not around those days/years!).
Good that you have roommates to reach out to, and at same time - perhaps the hospital that you are getting treatments from may be able to assist and refer you to a program.
All the best - take care !!

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Thank you Josk

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@josk

Full support from here ... I went through all 35 radiation sessions on my own - i.e. either getting support drivers from the Cancer Society which the hospital referred me to, and days when I was not able to have volunteer drivers, I have to arrange for cabs (Uber was not around those days/years!).
Good that you have roommates to reach out to, and at same time - perhaps the hospital that you are getting treatments from may be able to assist and refer you to a program.
All the best - take care !!

Jump to this post

Thank you so much just knowing someone has gone through and experience what I’m about to experience makes a world of difference..
I want to be able to pass along the few words of encouragement and support and tell them how and what to expect in their journey as you have done for me.. thank so much God bless you for being there for me and everyone else in my situation

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@sanmartin70

Thank you so much just knowing someone has gone through and experience what I’m about to experience makes a world of difference..
I want to be able to pass along the few words of encouragement and support and tell them how and what to expect in their journey as you have done for me.. thank so much God bless you for being there for me and everyone else in my situation

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I had Tongue and Neck Lymph node SCC HPV cancer. 58 years old. I had TORS surgery and then 6 weeks of radiation to clean up any cancer. I drove myself to all 30 appointments an hour away. In all honesty, it was not that bad. A little tiring but I managed OK. You will be surprised what you can do if you have to do it yourself like someone mentioned before. Worrying solves absolutely nothing. FIGHT and trust in your faith that all will be well. After about 3 months from completing the radiation I was about 70% back to normal. 16 months as of today I am about 90% back. You CAN do this!

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Thank you for all the hopeful, positive responses. I am a strong person. I am a faithful person.

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