1. < Lung Cancer
Profile picture for blue717

Starting radiation for lung cancer: Any tips or words of wisdom?

Posted by blue717 @blue717, Aug 9 10:26am

I start radiation therapy tomorrow for 1.1 lung adeno. 2 weeks, 3 times a week. I can feel the anxiety starting to set in. Any wise words of wisdom? Any special lotions I should use? Any special care for your Skin? My daughter is coming to the first appointment, and she insists she's going to come to all of them. I don't want her to take the time away from her job. Did anyone drive themselves? Boy, this adultier- adult stuff is hard!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for auntiedi
auntiedi | @auntiedi | 5 hours ago
In reply to @colleenyoung "@auntiedi, welcome. What type of lung cancer do you have? How long ago did you have..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@auntiedi, welcome. What type of lung cancer do you have? How long ago did you have radiation? Fatigue improving?

Jump to this post

@colleenyoung
I initially had nsclc in 2021. That was treated with a right lower lobectomy and 4 rounds of chemo. It was adencarcinoma stage 2b. It came back upper right lobe, in December 2025 and I was treated with 5 rounds of sbrt radiation. Yes I still have fatigue but it isn't as bad as it was. Radiation effects everyone differently. I have friends that had no side effects.

REPLY
Profile picture for vic83
vic83 | @vic83 | 4 hours ago
In reply to @blue717 "@colleenyoung Boy. I asked a lot of questions. I think the first thing is to try..." + (show)
Profile picture for blue717 @blue717

@colleenyoung Boy. I asked a lot of questions. I think the first thing is to try to calm down. I know very easy to say. When we start, we have no idea what is going on. We may not even realize our condition. I certainly didn't. I went with radiation because I didn't want to lose 1/3 of an otherwise healthy lung. Overall, I find that the medical community doesn't share much information with you. I was under the impression that after radiation, the tumor was gone. Not so; the radiation works even after your treatment is done. Would have liked to know that. I learned more from this site and other groups than I did from the medical team, except for my pulmonologist, who is wonderful. One week later, I feel some pain in my lungs, like a burning, but I would rate it at about a 2.5 pain level. I have to rest more often because I get tired faster than usual. But at 75, I guess it's time for a break. Most importantly, take time for yourself. Right now, you are the most important thing there is. Rest, meditate, listen to music- whatever feels good to you. Whatever keeps you out of the rabbit hole. You don't want to go there. Whatever your journey, I wish you the best, and here's to making every day count!

Jump to this post

@blue717 "One week later, I feel some pain in my lungs, like a burning, but I would rate it at about a 2.5 pain level.............. I have to rest more often because I get tired faster than usual. "

I recommend you tell your doctor about this pain and your fatigue. It could be pneumonitis which is an issue with radiation to lungs. That would explain the fact that you need to rest more
Radiation comes with risks. My first treatment series of radiation caused pneumonitis, and I am now on oxygen because of it. My second round of radiation caused chest pain which fortunately has improved

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for blue717
blue717 | @blue717 | 2 hours ago
In reply to @vic83 "@blue717 "One week later, I feel some pain in my lungs, like a burning, but I..." + (show)
Profile picture for vic83 @vic83

@blue717 "One week later, I feel some pain in my lungs, like a burning, but I would rate it at about a 2.5 pain level.............. I have to rest more often because I get tired faster than usual. "

I recommend you tell your doctor about this pain and your fatigue. It could be pneumonitis which is an issue with radiation to lungs. That would explain the fact that you need to rest more
Radiation comes with risks. My first treatment series of radiation caused pneumonitis, and I am now on oxygen because of it. My second round of radiation caused chest pain which fortunately has improved

Jump to this post

@vic83 Thank you for your concern. Luckily, on Friday I had my yearly appointment with my cardiologist, who said my lungs are clear as a bell. I think the fatigue is normal for what we have just put our bodies through. Plus, I am probably a little too active. Ex: today I stripped the bed and put on new linens. Did a few loads of laundry. Swept and mopped my floors. Made two pans of baked Ziti. Went to the grocery store and took a 1/2 hour walk and 15 minutes of gentle exercise. Now I'm going to sit on my butt for about an hour until it's time to make salad and feed the dogs.

REPLY
Profile picture for mosconiar
mosconiar | @mosconiar | 38 minutes ago
In reply to @lls8000 "Anthony, @mosconiar , I hope you made it through the week ok. Be kind to yourself...." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa, Volunteer Mentor @lls8000

Anthony, @mosconiar , I hope you made it through the week ok. Be kind to yourself. Your body has been through a lot.
Did you have surgery too?

Jump to this post

@lls8000 I didn't have surgery and could have a biopsy, i was given a clinical diagnosis of early stage lung cancer adenocarcinoma.
I had my last Session of sbrt radiation treatment Friday gone, i dont have any side effects yet, but I understand they could show up anytime as the radiation is still working on me.
It's been a long and stressful road since doctor called me to come and see him and was told I may have lung cancer and that road will now be much traveled by future appointments and scans to keep a check on my health.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.