Radiation Therapy: Treatments Part 2 - Radiation

This video outlines the procedure for Radiation Therapy.

Radiation for Ependymomas:
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1364&language=English

Treating ALL with Radiation Therapy:
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=2845&language=English

To learn more, visit http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca

This video is provided for general information only. It does not replace a diagnosis or medical advice from a healthcare professional who has examined your child and understands their unique needs. Please speak with your doctor to check if the content is suitable for your situation.

Cette vidéo sert à donner des renseignements généraux seulement. Elle ne remplace pas le diagnostic ou les conseils médicaux d'un professionnel de la santé qui a examiné votre enfant et comprend ses besoins uniques. Veuillez consulter votre médecin pour vérifier si le contenu convient à votre situation.

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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

When it comes to the treatment, we'll give your child a tour, we'll explain to them everything that's happening to them. And you'll be able to go in the room with them while we get them set up on the special bed or have the mask placed on. Then once the child is all set up, everyone--including yourself--will leave the room, but you can talk to your child and see them on a video screen so that they know that you're with them, and you're watching them. You can talk to them. They may be watching a DVD or listening to music, so they may not want you to talk to them. But at least you're there, and you're a comfort to them because you know that they're there, and they know you're there.

The most important thing with radiation is realizing that it is an important part of your child's cancer treatment. It doesn't hurt. It's a matter of just staying still, watching a movie, listening to a story that mom may be reading over the speaker system. When we are looking at whether or not we need to give a child a sedation or an anesthetic, it is based on how old the child is, and what area we're trying to treat. But a lot of time for children that are under the age of three, we will need to give them an anesthetic to help them be still for the radiation treatment. It may affect your appetite, so that you don't feel like eating as much as you did before, so it's important to have small, healthy snacks, and lots of fluids. And it's also very important during any kind of treatment to get your rest. If you need to have a nap because you're tired, then have a nap. If you need to go to bed early, then go to bed early.

We will do everything that we can to help you understand what your child is going through. We're available every day for answering your questions and your concerns, and then we see you in follow-up after the radiation is done so that you can ask us questions again about the short-term effects of radiation, the long-term affects of radiation. Your team is there for you.

• Category

  Ependymoma - Childhood