ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: Anna7 on April 15, 2008, 09:28:15 am

Title: CK starting today!!
Post by: Anna7 on April 15, 2008, 09:28:15 am
Hello everyone.  I'm headed for my 1st of 5 zapping sessions today.  Please send a prayer and/or some positive vibes my way today.  My father will be driving me home if necessary as my boyfriend is disabled and unable to drive.  My dad's driving makes me nervous  :-\ so, hopefully, I'll feel well enough to drive myself afterwards.  Nothing fancy at my CK place, they never mentioned the option of bringing CD's to play and I forgot to ask.  I'm just focused on getting into a calm state of mind and not needing to scratch a million little itches once my mask is on  :D.  I pray this works and could use a group hug right about now.

Anna
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: leapyrtwins on April 15, 2008, 10:58:43 am
Good luck, Anna!

Wishing you well - both with your CK and with your dad's driving  ;D

Did you remember to put your CK treatments on the "calendar" so we can remember to keep you in our thoughts and prayers?

If you can't figure out how to access the calendar, I think Steve (sgerrard) put the link at the bottom of his signature block; you can find it there.

Jan
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Anna7 on April 15, 2008, 03:49:42 pm
Thanks Jan.  I need to get up to speed with this computer stuff.  Hopefully it was alright for me to announce my treatment on this post.  I just got back (one down four to go!) and I feel just a tad, not dizzy, but woozy headed if that makes any sense.  I'm going to try and head to work now.  Hope I'm not pushing it too much but the radiation oncologist said that I should be able fine.

Anna
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Debbi on April 15, 2008, 06:08:01 pm
Glad to meet you, Anna - and good luck!  If you want to put your CK on the calendar, the link is:  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d30/04/2008?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d30/04/2008?authenticate=&display=M&style=B)

Keep us posted!

Debbi
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Sue on April 15, 2008, 06:25:36 pm
Anna, woozy headed is what we do best!  Good luck with the rest of your treatment and eventual recovery. 

At my GK I brought a CD and remember exactly ONE song.  But, with GK, they give ya the relaxing pill and you don't remember squat about whatcha did that day. 

So, it didn't do me any good to take music.   Anyway....take care.

Sue in Vancouver
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: ppearl214 on April 15, 2008, 06:45:20 pm
anna, not sure if you saw my post on the CK Patient Support Board.... so... did the "eye" admire you? ;)  Good luck with treatment, hang in there, know I'm cheering you on! :)

Phyl
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: leapyrtwins on April 15, 2008, 06:53:47 pm
Anna -

it's perfectly all right to announce your treatment dates in any posts you would like :)  I just suggested the calendar since a lot of times dates get lost in the shuffle and we all like to know who is doing what when.  Does the last part of that sentence make sense  ???  Anyway, the calendar is just a simple visual for all of us.

Glad your first treatment is over.  Good luck with the rest,

Jan

Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: ppearl214 on April 15, 2008, 07:03:48 pm
anna,

here is the link to the AN Calendar that Jan  :-* referenced . I started it last year to help everyone keep track of AN related events.. and our birthdays :) Please feel free to enter your CK treatment schedule and burpday to it... that is why it exists.

http://www.my.calendars.net/AN_Treatments

Phyl
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: sgerrard on April 15, 2008, 08:04:11 pm
Late for the first one, but in time for the next four, best wishes on your CK.

I took a CD the first day, and didn't bother after that - nothing like the whirr of a CK robot arm to spoil your favorite music.

If I were you, I would claim just a little more of that woozy head feeling, and not bother going in to work. What better excuse do you need?  ;)

Glad to hear you are off to a good start.

Steve
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Anna7 on April 16, 2008, 01:28:31 am
Thanks for the positive wishes everyone.  I must say aside from the woozy head I had quite a few dizzy spells today.  Nothing tremendous, just short episodes.  Anyone else experience this?  Also, slight headache and a dull ache on my AN side that seems to extend down the side of my neck somewhat.  Is this all normal?  Suddenly I realize that I may have spent more time deciding which treatment to have and not enough paying attention to the after effects people experienced.

Phyl, yes I saw your post on the cyberkife support board, Thanks.  I'm trying to get the love from everywhere!

Anna
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Anna7 on April 16, 2008, 01:37:50 am
Oh, I forgot to mention that my doctors did not prescribe steroids or anything.  They prefer not to unless I begin to experience severe headaches, hearing loss, facial numbness, etc.  Considering that most ck'ers were given some form of steroid, I don't know how I feel about not getting any.  I would have liked to have them if they've been shown prevent side effects from developing
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: MaryBKAriz on April 16, 2008, 07:15:14 am
Good Luck Anna! :)

I will be thinking a lot about you. Hopefully, your drive goes well, too ;)

I will be interested to know your impressions. I have decided on CK or GK but haven't had the Dr. App't with that specialist, yet.

May the next 5 days go fast and well and that your AN is not happy about being ZAPPED!!!!!!!

Mary
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: sgerrard on April 16, 2008, 11:02:05 pm
Hi Anna,

Sorry you are experiencing a bit of headache, etc. It may a form of fatigue, which is not uncommon during radiation treatment. It may even be tension or stress; having a major medical treatment is still a pretty big deal, so your mind may be worrying about more than you think.

I think the reason I was given a grand total of 3 whole Decadron pills during treatment was concern over hearing loss. Many CK'ers like me go in with half their hearing gone on the affected side, hoping to keep the rest of it. That seems to be the main reason for taking a steroid during treatment.

 I would mention these symptoms to the doctor, just so they know, but don't worry about them. Just remember that the AN is feeling a whole lot worse than you are. :)

Steve
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: cindyj on April 17, 2008, 05:35:59 am
Hi Anna,

Good luck w/ the rest of your treatments - glad you're on your way to tumor death.  Hope the symptoms get better for you or you get some relief. 

Keep us posted. 

Cindy
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: ppearl214 on April 17, 2008, 05:55:56 am
Ok, anna... here comes treatment day #2 and I know you are going to do great!  Hang tough... you are on the road to "postie-hood" and hang in there!

Onward and upward to continued wellness! :)

Phyl
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: leapyrtwins on April 17, 2008, 06:00:54 am
Treatment day #2 already - boy, that was fast.  They don't mess around with this CK stuff do they?

Good luck Anna, when treatment #2 is over you'll be almost half way there. Yea!

Jan
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: Anna7 on April 17, 2008, 11:17:52 am
Yeah, can't wait to get clamped to that comfortable table again! ;)  I tried to make it through the entire session last time but finally had to ask the physicist to stop so I could rub the back of my head.

Has anyone else out there experienced any immediate side effects that they wouldn't mind sharing?
Yesterday I experienced:

1) waves of dizziness (not spinning but definite wooziness with certain movements or just turning my eyes downward)
2) ache behind my ear and down side of my neck
3) pain deep inside my ear (not unbearable or sharp though)
4) headache (not splitting but there)
5) metallic taste in mouth

Just trying to figure out if these symptoms are universal to some degree.

Anna
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: jb on April 17, 2008, 02:13:12 pm
Anna,
A little late wishing you good luck, but sounds like you're doing great!  I think everything you mention sounds pretty normal.  I didn't have a metallic taste, but maybe a little numbness/dry sensation on my tongue.  I think some of the head/neck aches come from being immobilized during treatment.  Hang in there.... you'll be on the downhill after the next one!

Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: MaryBKAriz on April 17, 2008, 02:23:52 pm
Still cheering you on, Anna.

Thank you for your info, too! Hope this will soon be a faint memory.

Since I have not gone through treatment, I do not know what is common and what is not. Have you asked your physicist/physicians? I would be curious to hear what they say.

Take care and you go girl!!!!!!!! Yea ANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: CK starting today!!
Post by: goinbatty on April 17, 2008, 07:15:50 pm
Hi Anna,
I'm joining in a little late but wanted to wish you well.  It will all be over before you know it.  Meant to tell you that I didn't have steroids with CK either.  Doing fine so far. 
Take care,
Sandra