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Hi, Shirley!
It sounds like you’re soon on the road to recovery. I’m glad to hear that your doctor has a plan. I hope that the results are exactly what you hoped for!
I found this info that may help ease your mind. From the NGDF’s Bulletin #8…”The radiation therapy program is well-tolerated by all patients. A transient moderate swelling around the tissues of the eye may be observed during the first week in some patients. In some instances, objective and subjective improvements occur during the two-week treatment period, usually continuing for weeks or months afterwards. In others, improvement occurs more slowly and manifests only weeks or months after treatment is completed. The results obtained with radiation therapy, or the combination of radiotherapy and corrective eye surgery is very effective in reversing or arresting the progress of Graves’ ophthalmopathy. The treatment has been especially effective in those with soft tissue signs and visual acuity loss. It tends to result in reduced intraocular tension (pressure within the eye), avoids the side effects of steroid therapy, and relapses after initial improvement have been rare. Orbital radiotherapy can result in improvement in signs and symptoms of Graves’ ophthalmopathy in the majority of patients. For the remainder of patients, the disease manifestations can be stabilized to allow functional surgical correction.”
Of course, there’s more info in the bulletin. So, I recommend that you join the NGDF and order this bulletin and more!
Shirley, there may be a chance that you can avoid the orbital decompression surgery with radiotherapy. Time will tell, I guess. Just know that we’re all pulling for you!
Wishing you the best on Monday morning!
Debby
OLAF, NGDF
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