radiation side effects

I will be starting radiation this week (25 external).

I had the misfortune to run into a neighbor from down the road, who I know has been sickly for a couple of years. She is always depressed, so I specifically tried not to ask her for info before.
At the end, since we were both waiting for the dentist, I asked whether she had had radiation. She told me her whole sad story from the diagnosis onward. too make a long story short, she had
radiation and chemo, then hyst., then internal radiation.

She has since then had kidney problems, which she claims was caused by the radiation. Has anyone ever heard anything like that before? She also told me how horrible the radiation is, and that I will be totally non-functional. this is not what I have been hearing on this site, and this was exactly why I had avoided talking to her, but still... is there stuff I need to know that I haven't been told?

Esther.

Esther,

Radiation is not that bad, I had chemo and radiation. I had radiation for 6 weeks, the most problems that I had was diarhea and towards the end I had urgency when I had to pee. My bowels arent the way they used to be but not as bad as they were during the treatments. My urgency as far as #1 goes is still a problem on occasion, but not unbearable. My doc said as far as sex goes practice makes perfect. If you dont have a regular partner you will need to use dialators. Otherwise you should be okay. My first time, with sex, after the radiation was a little painful, but got better with time and practice.

The radiation shouldn't bother your kidneys. When I went thru radiation, they only targeted the area where the uterus was. (I had radiation after my hyst, due to the fact that is when they found my cancer). So it didn't affect any thing except the lower bowel and bladder. The kidneys are up high enough that it shouldn't effect them.

Huge 's and I do pray that everything goes well with you during this time

and worked full time most of the time. Went on medical leave the last two weeks. I was a little tired, but took a small nap after work, before making dinner and felt fine. I also had diarhea as a side effect. As sex goes, my nurse told me to have it while undergoing radiation to make sure the vagina doesn't collapse. So I did, and had no problems.

I also had three days internal radiation. I never had problems with my kidneys.

I think it all has to do with your attitude also. They told me my appetite would go away, and gave me ensure to drink before every meal. I gained 12 POUNDS.... I had no problem eating.

's and ers to you.