I hope both you and your husband are well soon. It looks as though you have both been having a rough time of it. You would expect that the doctor who did your radiarion could help you with the side effects. ... View more

I wasn't worried about the bald patches as I was told that it would grow back a few months later .If it had happened and looked bad I would've got a wig as they look good . Y ou will also be offered the Look Good Feel Better workshop. W omen bring along make up ,wigs etc. and you are shown how to use the products. When the nurse told me about it I didn't know if I was interested or not and she saisd go along as you get free things. These are donated by many different companies. ... View more

How are you getting on? ... View more

The side effects depend on what part of the body is radiated. I had IMRT which allows target areas to receive high doses with surrounding ares being less affected. My nasal cavity ,tear duct and eye sac were the target areas. I had and still do have slight facial reddening and under my eye looks a little bruised. I was told to keep my whole face out of direct sunlight forever now. I lost half of my eyelashes under that eye. About 8 months after radiation finished the eyelashes started to grow. Almost a year later they are still shorter than those of the other eye. Most people I saw at the hospital has much more redness than me but my radiation is not used on most . I was told I would have bald patches on my head but it didn't happen. I was told that it wouldn't affect my eyelashes bit it did. I am so glad it missed my teeth and that my neck was not involed ,hence no dental or eating problems. For me there was a planning day a week or so before and all that had not been explained already was explained then. I wish you well.Keep us posted. ... View more

To Purpleangels, I am sorry to see the problems your husband has. Nathaniel,you will get better at using this site. ... View more

If it is not on the PBS maybe he is having it subsidised by the state government or the hospital. I have a health care card too but for medications not on the PBS it does not help. From what I read both medications are similar but Lyrica works better for more people . The other works better for some. I will enquire about the one you mentioned .I have accepted that I may take this for a long time,maybe forever but I hope not. I started on 25mg twice daily and got some relief but not enough. I moved to 75mg twice a day,then 150 twice a day. A few times I tried to swap a 150 for a 75 and finally am managing on 75mg in the morning and 150mg in the night. My next try will be to get to just the two 75mg a day. I get the pain still and it's on and off but I can cope easily. Being pain free or almost pain free means quality of life . I would choose that over an overseas holiday or any luxury. This year I am investigating plastic surgery to my eye which was disfigured from cancer removal. If it is possible I will feel a lot better emotionally.If not I will accept the way it is . ... View more

Good news!I wish I was going to that festival with you. Enjoy. ... View more

I have no experience of chemo ,only from reading posts like yours.I can say that the nurses and all the staff I encountered during my 6 weeks of radiation in 2010 were wonderful too. ... View more

I hope it works for you. ... View more

Sometimes people steer away from saying what's on their mind in case they say the wrong thing. Sometimes people say what's on their mind because they think it's best to be open . It's often hard to find the middle road. Enjoy planning your wedding and let us know about the big day as it approaches. Don't let thoughtless comments spoil it . That person just doesn't understand . ... View more