The Side-Effects of Radiation Therapy

It occurs to me that I have never really described the side effects of the radiation therapy from which I am now supposed to be recuperating.

I never experienced any of the effects on the skin and digestive tract commonly associated with radiation, at least not noticeably. No hint of nausea, thank goodness.

I did experience the fatigue. Beginning about three hours after each treatment, I would want to crash.

Because of the location of the target area, my lungs became irritated, and I developed a persistent cough. This would get worse when I assumed the prone position, so I began having trouble getting to sleep. I eventually gained some control over this problem using an ordinary cough suppressant and a room humidifier.

And again, because of the location of the target, nerves leading to the lower ribs also became irritated, causing constant low-grade muscular discomfort there.

I am hoping to be asymptomatic in all of these areas by this time next week, if not before that. If not, then I will have some complaints for the medical establishment.