Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as x-rays or gamma rays, to destroy or damage cancer cells. Radiation may be used alone or along with chemotherapy to treat Hodgkins Disease. I recieved 20 treatments of radiation two weeks after completion of chemotherapy. I went everyday, Monday through Friday for four weeks.
When you first see the radiation oncologist they will map your radiation field and make a block specific to your treatment. The nurses will use colored pens to draw on your skin when they line you up with the machine. These markings cannot be washed off and they are used everyday to line you up the same way. Your block will be inserted above and below the machine so your vital organs will not be subject to as much damage. Shown below are pictures of the first set of lines they drew on me.

Side Effects

I received radiation to my neck and chest. Towards the middle of the second week of treatment, I began to experience a sore throat. This got worse until the end of the third week, but by the fourth week it began to go away even though I was still getting treatment. The radiation oncologist said that it was typical for it to get worse and then get better as we were still treating the area.

Skin changes will occur to the area that is being treated. Around the third week I began to experience a sunburn-like skin irritation on my chest and back. I was given a Vaseline-like cream to put on the affected areas. This sunburn continued for a few weeks after treatment was completed and then it started pealing.

After having radiation treatment, your skin will be very sensitive to the sun. It is extremely important to cover up or apply heavy sunblock to all areas. I can still see my radiation field on my back. The skin in my field is a littel darker than the rest of my skin.