When I adopted a pair of twins, one of the first things that struck me was how many doctor's appointments they needed to go to. As we took them to all of their baby well-checks, I realised that these appointments were designed to find and address issues early before they caused other problems. Fortunately, our family paediatrician found a few critical problems that we were able to resolve head-on, and it was immensely helpful. Check out this blog for information about health care, preventative care, and helping your child to enjoy a better life. I know that some of these tips helped me, and I know that they can help you too.
If your physician has recommended radiation therapy, you likely have many questions about what to expect. This uncertainty can raise fears and create unnecessary stress. While every individual's experience will be different, there are critical factors that remain consistent.
Discomfort Is Common
It might be comforting for someone to tell you that you won't experience any pain. However, this wouldn't be entirely true, and it would inadequately prepare you. Radiation therapy itself does not cause pain; it's the side effects that come along with the treatment that are troublesome. For example, if you have therapy on your leg, the soreness in the area from the treatment can make it painful to walk. You shouldn't be in agonizing pain, but preparing for some level of discomfort is helpful.
Skin Changes Will Occur
After you begin therapy, the skin in the treatment area will change. You can expect the area to look tanned, inflamed, red, and maybe even blistered. It's also not uncommon for the skin to become excessively dry and flake off. Fortunately, these changes generally disappear after treatment ends. To prevent irritation in the meantime, it's best to wear loose-fitting clothing, avoid scratching or rubbing the area, and always wear garments that protect the area from the sun.
Fatigue May Impact You
Until you know exactly how radiation therapy will affect you, it's best to keep your schedule clear. On the days that you will be scheduled for treatment, plan not to go to work or anywhere else. Radiation-therapy fatigue is a very common symptom. Some people experience a subtle feeling of tiredness, and others feel like they haven't rested in ages. Do as much as you can before your treatment so that when you return home you can rest.
Emotional Changes Aren't Unheard Of
It's also not uncommon for emotional changes to occur while you are going through therapy. Like the pain experienced during treatment, it's not specifically the radiation therapy that is the cause, but instead all that comes along with it. When you consider the fact that a person is already managing a cancer diagnosis, the addition of soreness and fatigue that therapy brings about can cause a person to feel overwhelmed, alone, and depressed, changing their overall emotional state.
Before therapy, consider preparing a list of questions that you can present to your physician to get a better idea of what to expect. For more info, talk to your oncologist.
Share6 December 2016
