Radiation is ’crappy’
Sorry for not updating earlier but radiation is crappy ! I finished my radiation April 1 2022. The actually treatment was not so bad ,just tiring driving in every day but lucky I live close . After radiation I was to start chemo on April 14 but then got Covid. We had not had COVID in our house at all and I was feeling pretty smug about it but then Andrew went down ,followed by me then Ken . None of us were very sick .We are all past our quarantine time and the girls somehow escaped it ! I guess Ken’s continuous harping about all the hand-washing worked!
ATTENTION GRAPHIC DETAIL BELOW Anyway back to the radiation the side effects are pretty bad. The fatigue is unreal ,I thought I was tired when my Hemoglobin was only 70 but this is much worse. I had friends warn me but there really is no understanding it .
I have also experienced some urinary issues. They said you may get a UTI , I have never had one but I am told it burns to pee with urgency . To me I imagine that urine is soft and round and comes in drops out a round tube this felt like large jagged shards of glass just ripping through at will !
The worst though has been continual diarrhea . I know it’s not pleasant to talk about but maybe knowing ahead of time might have better prepared me . It is relentless, even with just water as oral intake . I was taking 8 Imodiums a day as directed by the Cross but still having it . On Easter Monday I went to the cross as I was very dehydrated . They gave me 2 litres of fluid and a prescription for a stronger anti diarrheal We will see hopefully that works . I read somewhere that this could take up to 3 months to subside yikes !
I am sure I am quite the sight ,diarrhea is no joke when you have to get out of lazy boy chair, coughing from Covid and holding onto stitches and staples in your chest !
On a positive note we have almost used up all the toilet paper we hoarded in March of 2020! Lol !
Oh I love reading your posts
Your loving funny personality shines through
And yes UTI is like peeing glass … I just did 5 rounds of antibiotics to fix a nasty one
So I’m in deep sympathy with
I can only imagine the exhaustion
Wishing you deep sleep and a less active belly
Thanks Lisa
Your posts are such a pleasure to read. So sorry you are going through all this but so happy that you can see some humor in some of the things you do. I wish you lots of rest and healing. Hugs to you my friend.
Thanks Marcia
Thanks for sharing your experiences. You have a wonderful way with words. I hear you about the diarrhea. I got it the morning I was leaving Mexico. All I can say is that opening is not meant to hold in pure liquid! I feel for you and totally understand the added problem of coughing, sutures and moving around. I’m glad to hear you got something stronger to treat it. I went on my dads cancer journey with him. I can’t say enough great things about the Cross! Wonderful caring people!
Thanks Maureen
Oh dear Sue,
I’m chuckling at your blog, as you are so blunt and comical, yet clutching my tummy as I can’t imagine the struggle you’ve endured. GI and UTI issues are exhausting and chronic fatigue is no laughing matter either. So glad you have the love and support of family and friends to surround you especially at this time.
I especially enjoyed your dream sequence of events. You can sense all the love that surrounds you. I often feel my dad in my world and he left us 8 yrs ago. How kind of you to share such intimate thoughts and feelings. As they say “Big Love!” to all of you as you continue your path of healing! ❤️
Thanks Sue , enjoy seeing pics of your kids and grandkids !
Hi Susan. I found out yesterday about your illness. Holy Smokes. Somehow, “get well soon” doesn’t seem like enough to say. But it is my truest, strongest, most heartfelt wish for you.
And maybe I can make you laugh a little with a true story … When I read “Required Fields are Marked” on this form, my brain changed Mark to Mask and then inverted the sentence to read, “Masks are Required”. Hmm, I though, I know her chemo reduces her immunity, but masks are required to send an email to her??? Like I said, true story.
When the day comes that you feel better and can tolerate the company of an old friend who can’t offer any guidance through your journey but can bring baked goods, please let me know. Fondly, Donna
Thanks Donna you always make me smile!