What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

Today was first day of external radiation, was 11 am and once home at noon did have a kind of headache in back, did feel strange for probably 4 hrs. A co-worker told me her mother always took a nap after her treatments. I think I see why. Tomorrow will be leaving work early, for 3:20 pm appointments for remainder of appts for week.
Will keep you all posted on how I feel. Was told to expect possible skin issues and fatigue, possible diarrhea.
Hoping for very little or any.

So, it starts this coming week 1/3 25 external radiation, Then 2 brachy. I just hope have less issues with the radiation than chemo. I only hope my work doesn't have a hissy fit my leaving 2 hrs early in January for the treatments. Living in Oregon, they dump all your time each year and make you start over, have enough hrs left
to cover it from 2022. Guess time will tell.

I hope the rest will will feel good and that you enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

Here is something that helped me during radiation treatment (I did not have chemotherapy). I reminded myself that I was in active treatment where I was checked in with and saw my radiation oncologist weekly. That active care helped me to keep my fears and doubts in check. And....then it was time to ring the bell when I was all done.

Happy holidays @terradean.

Yep, so far so good, so this is last of the first 3 chemo, hopefully, radiation will give my body a rest from chemo effects. Hopefully, by day 10 will be feeling more myself so can enjoy Xmas. Though, am sure radiation will have its own total. Time will tell.

@terradean I'm so glad that @colleenyoung provided sage advice on how chemotherapy affects DNA and what the mRNA vaccine does to cells and does not do to DNA. @marys1956 thoughts about use of non-drowsy Claritin is helpful although your latest message that Benadryl is working for you is very encouraging.

I apologize for going silent for a few days. I have yet another respiratory illness. It's such a terrible year for that, right? My next cancer surveillance appointment at Mayo is next week and I have to do what my primary care physician says: rest, drink lots of liquids.

I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed for you and hoping the pain subsides.

Oh, I have taken Claritin everyday, they stated raises your white blood cell count. However, this time he asked me to try taking Benadryl, they do give me it in my IV at Chemo time. So, have been taking each night. And, so far no bone pain. Fingers crossed and I have not used the dexamethasone which I was told was for nausea. Read about it and says causes bone pain. Time will tell next few days I guess. Am, so hoping not to have it so severe.

I was told to take non-drowsy Claritin for the bone pain the day of, and for 3 days after. It definitely has helped!!!!

I am sorry, But I never thought mNRA shots did change your DNA just all the gossip regarding them. I have had all that were available to me. I think they change dosage of chemo and Neulasta depending on blood work. What he told me was the reason I was given the dexamethasone is for nausea and since not having any, dropping the dosage may make bone pain less. Just something to try. And, he told me to add Benadryl at night may help with side effects. They give it to me with IV on chemo day. Never said to use before after. Will know more tomorrow. Was just called and simulation for radiation is now set for 12/27 at 10 am.

My normal dose is 2 of dexamethasone, however, since side effects are bone pain also, stated to Dr. possibly try taking just 1 and see if helps and using Benadryl he recommended at night during that few days. Interesting how have no problems with chemo even drinking my coffee
this morning with milk and tummy just fine. Tomorrow will tell me more. Going to take Benadryl again tonight. Only slept 3 or 4 hrs at a time for about week last to chemo rounds, last night slept normal.

@terradean, sorry that you're dealing with bone pain.
You'e right that chemotherapy damages the DNA of cancer cells, making them unable to survive. This is what makes chemotherapy so effective. Treatment also kills or slows the growth of healthy cells that grow and divide quickly, causingside effects. Side effects often get better or go away after chemotherapy treatment is complete and healthy cells repair themselves.

The mRNA vaccine does not alter DNA however. mRNA delived by injection never enters the nucleus of your cells, where your DNA is kept. It doesn't become part of your DNA. Read more here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/different-types-of-covid-19-vaccines/art-20506465

I tend to agree with @val64 that Neulasta is the mostly likely cause of bone pain, possibly along with the chemo combo as well. Bone pain is listed as a common side effect of Neulasta Onpro (https://www.drugs.com/mtm/neulasta-onpro-kit.html#side-effects
Paclitaxel and carboplatin, also known as Taxol/Carbo, can cause joint and muscle ache in some people. (https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/paclitaxel-and-carboplatin)

You mention that your oncologist suggested only taking 1 pill instead of 3. Is that for the dexamethasone? Are they changing the dosage of chemo or Neulasta?