Recovery after radiation

Congratulations to you on being cancer free, it’s a wonderful feeling after going through much pain and suffering, I know you’re looking for responses from others who have had radiation treatments, I am a cancer patient but I haven’t had anything but surgery thus far but I know it’s probably something I need to consider, I’ve read many posts here from people who have been through this process and some sounded very positive and then others have had a very difficult time with radiation treatment. I suppose that it’s just different for everyone and how well they can handle the effects but it can also be helpful to talk about your experience, best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.

I was still paraplegic right after I finished radiation, so my experiences were atypical, but my recommendation for recovery is lots of moderation. 🙂

DO keep active with moderate exercise (even just raking leaves or walking to the store is a good start).

DO eat normal, healthy meals.

DO take a 20-min power nap in the afternoon if you feel like one.

DON'T drive yourself to do extreme exercise. Silence your inner drill sergeant. Right now, pain means *no* gain.

DON'T eat excessively large, fried fatty meals (except as sometimes treats): digesting those takes a surprising amount of energy, and you don't have that energy to spare right now.

DON'T worry that you'll always feel like this. Your body is busy healing the collateral radiation damage, so it's drawing a lot of your energy budget right now, but it's only temporary.

Best of luck!

@northoftheborder Thanks so much!!! I really appreciate all of these helpful tips. I also think my thyroid was affected, so I’m also supporting that as well with some a couple of extra Brazil nuts per day. Sending you healing ❤️‍🩹 blessings, I hope you have your energy back, you’re giving me hope. God bless!!! 💕🙏😍💐😍🙏💕

Anyone have ICC surgery with HAPI (intera 3000) treatments have the cancer move to the bone? I’m starting radiation next week as the lesions are small. Even if you don’t have the pump but know it’s a long shot with that. If anyone has words of experience and / or encouragement I would be grateful.

After the surgeon oncologist removed the tumor I was cancer free btw.

Mitzi H .

@mhallmark, just to make sure I've interpreted the abbreviations correctly. You had surgery for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) combined with Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAPI) therapy using the Intera 3000 HAI Pump. Now they have found spread to the bone and you have started radiation therapy.

Do I have that right?

You will find discussions about Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) in the Liver Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/liver-cancer/
See all https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

How is radiation going? Are you receiving treatments daily?

@colleenyoung yes that’s correct .

@colleenyoung oh - radiation is going good but is very painful. For this, it’s been 5 treatments in a row. Then I’ll have a rest time then chemo treatments start at EOY.

@mhallmark, sorry to hear radiation was painful. How is recovery going as you prepare for chemotherapy?

Radiation recovery is also painful but managing ok and ready for chemo. Would have loved to be cured from ICC but unfortunately not so goal now is remission. Question, do you know or can you connect with anyone who might be eligible for bone marrow transplant for this type of disease change. Not sure that’s even the right question or the right way to ask the question but I’ve read a few things about BMT being a goal for some forms of this disease.

I am now post chemo and radiation for base of tongue spread to lymph nodes cancer. I had 35 sessions.
I am cancer free and very grateful to be here.
However I did and continue to experience side effects.
I am still on a feeding g tube as I am unable to swollow. I can do liquids and most foods however it stays in my throat and I need to drink a lot of fluids to push it down. High risk of choking.
I also developed Lymphedema of the tongue...it is still swollen.
Therefore my speech is distorted.
I suffer from severe dry mouth to me it is worse than not being able to swollow.
That being said a year ago, I was close to death. The treatment saved me with the hand of God's guidance.
I am trying to adjust to the new norm and living my life to the fullest.
I did a very healthy diet and lots if supplements. Such as Immunocal, green tea, Vit B, Zinc, turkey tail mushroom drops to mention a few.
I exercise each day and try to be as helpful to others.
Radiation affects people differently. I hope your experience is not as severe as mine. However we have to live, we have to be joyful and we have to be grateful. Good luck!