Hi Nicky!

So very sorry about the radiation. My best friend just went through 5/week for 6 weeks and said it wasn't as bad as she expected it to be...and I hope that is the way it will be for you. Her skin did get burned. but the doc gave some special ointment that helped a lot.

I think you are asking great quetions - and am hopeful your docs will give you well informed, reasonable responses. You have a right to get the answers you seek.

Take care - and pls let us all know how you are doing.
Sue

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words, prayers and advice...Sorry that I didn't reply sooner. Despite this new thorn in my side, my MG symptoms have been so minimal lately, that I've been taking advantage of my voice...My sister and I sang Karaoke tonight and we had a lot of fun...

I really don't think that I'm going to go through with the radiation...Mind you, I don't even know if I have to have it yet...When I was admitted to the hospital a month or so ago, the thoracic surgeon on call told me that the oncologist recommended that I not have adjuvent therapy...So it seems like he already made his decision...The thing is, that my actual surgeon (who was on vacation at the time of my admission to the hospital) is awesome...and he saw my tumour, and how it was growing...So HE thinks I should have it...My brother-in-law thinks that I should go with his advice, but the oncologist seems like he would know the best since he's a specialist in cancer...And these studies I've come across, especially the one I posted, seem to side with not having radiation...But there's always the worry that there are little thymomas lurking and waiting to sprout (those evil buggers)...Like what Annie said, though, the thought did cross my mind that maybe the CT scans are strong enough to destroy them...

Anyway, thank you everyone for the kindness...Sorry to be such a downer...I hate relaying bad news...I want to get better so badly, and then my body's like, "sorry...we're not done with you yet muahahaha!" Too many disease, but maybe the tide will turn...I hope so...At least the MG is remitting for a while...

Nicky

lol. I once thought perhaps I'd glow in the dark with all the contrast they've injected to me during all my ct scans. Haha.

thanks for the update Nicky. You're a strong girl and you'll be fineeee!

Not getting radiation therapy is not bad news If my cancer was entirely encapsulated I wouldn't have and I'd probably be a lot better off now for it.

That said... if I were you, I'd arrange to talk to an oncologist directly. Get all your questions answered and make sure you have someone to keep an eye on things so you don't develop another thymoma.

Best of luck, don't let it get out of hand on you.

Cheers,

Brian.

Hey Nick,

I had radiation last year (before my onset with MG) for a thymoma. It wasnt god-awful bad. I personally think the MG symptoms are worse. You will burn and scar and your throat will hurt. During the last few weeks I was more tired than usual. There are meds to take for the soothing of the throat, etc. The radiation itself does not hurt. You sit on a table for a few minutes and get beamed. They even played music for me.


HTH.

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the well-wishes, advice and information...I totally appreciate it!

So I saw the radiation oncologist today, and she was the nicest doctor ever! She listened to all of my concerns, went through my entire file and even brought up things that I didn't expect to make sure that everything is okay with me.

Anyway, she said that my tumour was completely, microscopically and macroscopically, encapsulated, so it was actually a stage I, not II...She also said that it was only 5cm not 9cm...I think that my surgeon misunderstood the paper work that said, 'the specimen is 9cm.' It was actually referring to my tumour plus my thymus...Anyway, she said that I definately don't need radiation, so whoohoo! I'm so relieved! She said that the chances of it coming back are almost zero, but she didn't want to quite say zero.

Anyway, I'm relieved because I don't think that I could handle the radiation...I'm already feeling sick still from the blasted anemia I have and prednisone, so it's good to know that I wont have to worry about radiation-sickness...

Thanks for everything, guys!

Nicky

Nicky!!

Terrific News!!!!!!!!!! I'm so darn happy for you!

Sue

Thank you, Sue!

Yay Nicky,

If I drank I would raise a glass in honour of you not having to have radiation, will a cup of tea do!!

Kate

That is FANTASTIC news Nicky. I'm very happy for you that the tumour was completely encapsulated and you don't need RT.

I'll certainly raise a glass to you and your good health . None of this tea stuff for me

Cheers!

Brian.