Susan,
First, congrats on now being a "toastie postie"! Well done! I know the first day was rough but glad you were able to withstand the rest of the treatments and now... on the road to booger death!
Will only state what worked in my case.... I had my CK almost 4 years ago..... self-education was key for me. I did all of my homework in advance.... in knowing that there were approx timeframes that things could/would/may occur. Now, bearing in mind that "individual results may vary", I knew by doing my pre-CK homework that swelling could/could not occur in certain timeframes... that things could/would/may crop up in certain timeframes... and that post-treatment MRI's could/would/may show certain things in certain timeframes. I know, by doing my homework, that the immediate post-CK MRI's could/should/may show indicators of the radiation working.
For me, the indicators really started to show approx 9 mos. Some here have reported sooner... some have reported later. Another CK patient here, Mark, reminded me that the docs also note that its in all the timing of the MRI... and if it catches indicators occurring at the time of the MRI.... so, as an example, the 9 mos MRI (for me) may have had indicators of necrosis or the MRI time-frame could have missed it or waiting for it to occur. It's all in the timing if the MRI can catch it.
There have been discussions here (and on the CK forums) about the "waiting game". True mental strength has to come into play as radio patients do not get "instant answers" for the treatment (unlike surgical patients, even though things can crop up down the road ie: facial issues, etc). Trying to drum up the mental strength can be a challenge but know this... this is why we are all here... to help support each other through the processes.
Many here that have met me face to face (or talk to me from the WTT list) have learned that I have an extreme amt of mental strength. Not to say that there aren't days that I am not strong..... but you and me and everyone else is certainly entitled to have days that we are not Strong. But, I reminded myself that I have folks here that will help keep me held up strong when I have days that I don't feel strong.
So, remember that you can count on us... we're here to help the process. It's now a matter of hanging tough.... believing in what you have done (never look back or question "did I do the right thing?") as you have chosen what you have felt is best for you at the time of your decision. Know that we are here for you.
Again, welcome to Postiehood! Well done!
Phyl
