I completed radiotherapy in October. Managed to keep my skin in decent condition throughout the treatment and since, my main issue was the fatigue. I seemed to notice it within a matter of days of starting treatment and it got worse. I had a month off work to recover after treatment finished and then went back on a phased return.  Don’t know if that helps but that’s my story. 

I had 30 fractions of radiotherapy as a precaution recommended by my oncologist when I had my thymoma removed to stop reoccurrence. I didn’t hesitate it having this done as it was belts and braces some people cope differently to treatment I myself had no side effects through treatment I listen to what the nurses told me like keeping hydrated water melon was good on the trip home. As for my skin condition I used Shea butter body cream and aloe Vera. After my course I became very tired as the treatment caught up with me. I developed some internal scarring which was the norm even now some two years on I get tired but that’s a small price to pay as I am still going strong and with my love ones. Don’t be frightened treatment goes really quickly and my advice to you is listen to the oncologist and nurses they know what is best. Stay off the internet and scary stories feel free to contact me we are all here to help. Onwards and upwards 

I needed 10 sessions of radiotherapy for a large tumour in my iliac bone/pelvis. No problems at all during the treatment but about 3/4 months later, it destroyed my sigmoid colon and I ended up having it removed. As a consequence I now wear 2 bags.

Without the RT the tumour would have totally destroyed my pelvic bone, making me wheelchair bound at the very least.

So although I didn't really have a choice about having radiotherapy, I certainly had no understanding of its long term effects and their possible severity.

Regards

Taff

Hi jackalyn.

You ask a reasonable question. However, I think before you make a decision, it is worth asking your onco a couple more questions:

1. How easily and quickly will a recurrence be found if it should happen? 

2. If a recurrence is found, how easy will it be to treat and how successful the treatment?

3. Is there some sort of time limit beyond which the risk of recurrence lowers?

So, if a recurrence can be found and easily treated by having a blood test every three months then there seems little reason to rush into treatment. And if there's no recurrence within (say) 10 years then the risk reduces even further, then there's even less reason to rush into treatment.

Everybody estimates risk differently, and you may find that 20% is too high to tolerate; on the other hand, you may be fine with it. Unfortunately, maths and logic may well give one answer, but your own peace of mind says something else completely.  In the end, it's your own peace of mind that has the final say.