The Neck that was NOT in my head (and other tales)

2 minute read time.

So yesterday I had clinic review as well as a lovely 1.5 hour wait for my radiotherapy appointment. Apparently treatment room 8 was where the party was because it was the only delayed area. As usual the staff were fabulous and I had a decent wait - I really can't praise the Freeman enough. It seems I accidentally picked the perfect place to live if I must insist on having cancer. 

I got to catch up with my nutty oncologist who had a good poke of my arm and told me she was delighted by the progress. It hasn't all disappeared but maybe radiotherapy is like microwaving your dinner and it keeps frying the cancer for a little while longer after treatment finishes? Who knows! I must at least attempt to remember to ask them tomorrow at my last radiotherapy appointment (YAAAAY!!!!) I do think it'll be an adjustment not having my comfy cancer centre safety net but the coming and going is a serious faff on so it's for the best. 

Anyhoo the oncologist had another good poke and look at my neck since my GP was so insistent that now I had cancer I must be irrationally imagining all other potential ailments, an impressive diagnosis since he didn't even bother to look (silly git). She finally located the issue; I am the proud owner of an infected tonsil apparently! Rather annoyed that I had to get the oncologist to work that out when it could easily have been resolved several weeks ago if he'd also had a good look. I need to go get some non penicillin-ee antibiotics to clear it up since it's been there so long. Maybe I can poke my GP in the eye too? That's surely acceptable now after the you do, you don't, you do, you don't, no actually you do situation with my cancer diagnosis, followed by the wrong appointment being made only to have it corrected and discovering he referred me to the wrong department! Of course he didn't cancel the incorrect dermatology appointment he made me, despite telling me he did so then I got a letter telling me off for not showing up! Don't get me wrong, if they're that interested they're welcome to have a good look but there hardly seems any point now treatment has more or less ended!

Rant over.

All else is quiet. I met a friend for lunch and another for coffee today. I popped into work too which was nice. I'm knackered still but I kept myself up and feel a bit more productive. Must get sleep but I think the thought of tomorrow being the last day is keeping me awake. It's a funny old world.

The end is more or less upon us and in this situation at least that can only be a good thing!

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Your radiotherapy does carry on working after treatment for a while, how long seems to vary depending on who you ask but they all agree it carries on working, My prof explained that there are cells that are marked to die just haven't got round to it
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Loubylou2209' Just wanted to agree with you and give a BIG thumbs up the the Northern Cancer Care Centre at Freeman Road. I too had my chemotherapy there, and cannot praise the Oncologist Kate, and all of the nursing staff that administered my treatment, enough. I was shocked about how many people in the area are experiencing the cancer journey, and never once heard anyone even whisper a complaint, no matter how ill they felt or looked. Chris999 xxx
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    Hi hunny, I can't believe how quickly the the time has passed and you are at the end already :-) RT is cumulative, so although treatment has finished the cooking continues for a while. I had six weeks of RT and onc said it will continue working for six months. So even though signs of 'the beast' may still be present, as Damon says, the RT will still be killing those old rogue cells off!! Well done hun for getting through it. Lots of sparkly hugs coming your way xxx
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Can't believe that doctor! No wonder you've felt tired and sick! Glad you've got to the bottom of it xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hey Chris, really glad to hear you've had a great experience at the Freeman too. They've been amazing throughout; I get the impression that most people feel incredibly fortunate to be treated there.

    Thanks for the RT advice Damon and Miss Sparkle - I figure the cancer will just need to keep cooking for a little while longer but I guess the haematologist will be keeping an eye on all that for me. It's weird how flat the scar is now. Since they killed most of the cancer it's actually got a dip in it so there must have been more than I had realised. Still, until the 'eyes' disappear, I'm left with a very happy space invader!

    Thanks my love, yeah I've got a sinus infection now too. I saw another GP - not keen to give me antibiotics so I guess I'll be asking the haematologist about that too. I'm rather giving up on my surgery! xxx