Question about radiation treatment?

Question

My mother in law is getting ready to start radiation treatments and she insists she will still be able to watch our son full time. I am not sure it is a good idea but don't know much about radiation. Can someone tell me more about radiation and whether it will be safe for either one of them for her to continue babysitting. My son is 21 months

I want to make clear what I meant by it being safe for my son to stay with her. I didn't mean anything about the radiation. I simply didn't know if she would be to tired or sick to care for him. She is very stuborn and wouldn't admit if she needed help

Answer 1

Most of the time she will be fine, but there may be days when she feels sick so you will need to find alternative care on those days. I say, more power to her and you should be thrilled that she is determined to be there for her grandson.

And as for the bit about radiation safety . . good grief . . why would being around his grandmother be unsafe for your son? She is the one having treatment!!!! You can't 'catch' it.

You can become more educated about cancer and radiation treatment at the following websites:

NCI: Facts About Radiation Therapy
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you

"Radiation treatments are painless.

External radiation treatment does not make you radioactive.

Treatments are usually scheduled every day except Saturday and Sunday.

You need to allow 30 minutes for each treatment session although the treatment itself takes only a few minutes.

It's important to get plenty of rest and to eat a well-balanced diet during the course of your radiation therapy.

Skin in the treated area may become sensitive and easily irritated.

Side effects of radiation treatment are usually temporary and they vary depending on the area of the body that is being treated. "

Medline Plus: Radiation Therapy
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/radiationtherapy.html

Answer 2

That is the most freaky thing ever!!!! My mother in law was just found to have a brain tumor and will also be starting radiation treatments. They also watch my 3 year old son. My father in law just quit his job because he thinks he need to be home with her ( the Dr, gave her a year even with treatment) I can't answer your question..... I have known a lot of people that have gone through it and it made them warn out. They needed naps. They got sick a lot. lost weight. IF I were you I would find someone "just in case" for the days she might not be up to it. Its hard on the grandmas. They just love the kids so much and want to be there for them. My mom was down with a heart problem and we still had to stop by with the kids everyday after work because the days we didn't she would slip into a depression.

Good luck..... My prayers are with you....

My email is open

Answer 3

The radiation will not be a problem for your child, as they give children radiation for cancer too. Your biggest worry should be about how she is feeling. The treatments can make her very ill.

You will really have to just wait and see. Everyone handles it differently. Your mother in law may be able to still care for your son, or she may not. You should know after her first treatment.

Answer 4

I am in my 4th week of 6 wks of radiation therapy for BC & am working full time with no problem. I feel a little tired at the end of the day but can't tell if that's just the normal tired at the end of the day. There should be no severe side affects or complications for her, depending on the area they will be radiating due to type of cancer. She should be fine & if she is tired, I'm sure she could take a nap when your child is napping. Radiation is a picnic compared to chemo which is what makes you really sick!

Answer 5

My Uncle just passed away from lung and liver cancer. When we first started the treatments., we started with radiation treatments an he did just great., he didn't get sick or really have any side effects. But, the treatments were not so strong that they didn't have any side effects on him.You will just have to see how they effect your mom in law. But, I got on the net and looked up everything I could about radiation and chemo. I really got some good info. They say some folks do very well and some not. So., I will add you all on my prayer list. I do pray all will be well for you both. God Bless you. And feel free to e-mail me any time.

Answer 6

Different people react differently to radiation. I myself have just undergone 5 weeks of radiation, and feel fine, although a little tired at times. I strongly believe that retaining normalcy as much as possible in life is a really good thing to do. I would let your mother in law see how she is feeling and if she is up to it. Also let her know that if she does feel tired, or is unable to do it, let her know that she can tell you. I myself was out doing normal activities, driving etc. Maintaining normalcy, independance, and a positive attitude really do help i think. Unlike chemotherapy, radiation does not deplete your immune system, so you are not a high risk for infections. When y our body is tired, you need to listen to it, as it is its way of recuperating.

So i would say that in summation, if she feels up to it, and you are okay with it, i would let her watch your son, and it may actually in a way be beneficial to her health. Also if you are worried, then talk with her oncologist and get clarification. They will probably say as long as she feels up to it.

Answer 7

you really have to take in conciderration the type of cancer where she will got the radiation on her body some radiations will burn the skin bad and then others dont you will have to just wait till she takes it and see also radiation will affect the normal cells in the bidy and could cause her amune system to be low and she can catch germs really easy .before you make any choice wait till she takes a few treatments and see how she feels and the affects on the amune system along with the white blood cells all people are not alike . my husband had radiation 6 weeks and he was burnt up it was bad in the mouth with any radiation will cause mouth sores

Answer 8

I had sixteen treatments of radiation after breast cancer surgery.I was very surprised that it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.I was more stressed before the treatments than during.You know the fear of the unknown.I had no sickness other than being very tired.I am now six years cancer free.I am not naive and don't think it could never .come back ,However I do not wish to dwell on it.Any time you are this side of the grass is a good time.

Answer 9

Her being radiated want effect your child with residual radiation.It may possibly make her a little weak.but she will probably live up to her promise.so just see how it goes.
but if it goes to her brain.get someone else to look after your child.my mothers went to her brain.
they missed with the radiation once with my dear mother .and burned her arm terribly

advise her to eat only whole natural foods and take a b vitamin complex so her body's t cells can better fight off and kill those cancer cells.so she will have a better chance of overcoming her cancer.OK?

Answer 10

my husband received radiation and kemo treatments. i would say your child would be safe with your mother if she is only going to be taking radiation treatments. kemo therapy can make a person weak and very sick.