[2022-01-31] Radiation oncology check-in #4
I continue to share my experience with radiation and its side effects because I believe there's value in increasing people's awareness of this cancer treatment.
When we look at how cancer is portrayed in the media, we are much more likely to see chemotherapy represented than radiation. We see people who are ill and who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy. Less frequently, we see people who are undergoing radiation, likely because the impacts are not as obvious.
If you saw me sitting on a park bench, you would probably think that I looked healthy, certainly much healthier than I did when going through chemotherapy. If you saw me walking today, you might—if you knew me well—observe that I move much more slowly than I normally do or than I did earlier in my radiation treatment.
That's because the side effects from my pelvic radiation continue to accumulate and worsen.
My entire pelvic area feels irritated and swollen. My skin has opened up. Urinating is painful. I am fatigued.
Yesterday, I started taking acetaminophen to blunt the pain. It hadn't previously crossed my mind to take pain medication, but it does make a difference. Daily naps, sitz baths and antibacterial cream are also helping.
Each Monday, I meet with my radiation oncologist. Everything I am experiencing is expected. Dr. Jin told me today that my symptoms will continue to worsen for 3-5 days after I complete radiation, and then things will begin to improve.
I share this information as a public service, not for sympathy. In fact, I normally downplay how ill I feel.
Despite this, I remain in good spirits. At least I have no nausea, cramping or diarrhea. At least I am more than 75% of the way through my treatments. At least there is an end in sight. At least I have a good chance that radiation will cure my perianal skin cancer.
19 down, 6 to go.
