Radiation side effects

My neuro-oncology team is concerned that we haven't seen any progress (from my brain MRIs) since I began chemotherapy.

I will do one more round of chemo in the second week of May and we will see how I do. If I still have no progress I will start a five-day radiation treatment over six weeks.

According to the National Brain Tumor Society the following side effects may occur:

Short-term side effects of radiation can include fatigue, hair loss, scalp irritation, muffled hearing, and short-term memory loss. These side effects may resolve within two to four weeks of the radiation therapy, although hair loss may be permanent for some people. Long-term side effects can include short term memory loss, radiation necrosis (a build up of dead tumor cells in the brain), or neurological impairments associated with the area of brain most radiated.

I don't care about seizures, brain surgery, chemotherapy, MRIs, or frequent blood draws, but the thought of radiation makes me feel like I really have cancer. No jokes; this is for real.

But who knows? All the other stuff has become old hat, and I expect radiation to be the same.

No fear. No fear. This is me, this my experience, and I can handle it. I don't wish for an easier path in life because this challenge will make me stronger and more alive.