1. < Thyroid Cancer

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

Posted by kmlnj @kmlnj, Nov 5 9:26am

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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paul28 | @paul28 | 10 hours ago

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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1 reply
kmlnj | @kmlnj | 2 hours ago
In reply to @paul28 "We would all be surprised if we could know how many people have and are facing..." + (show)
@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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