Radiotherapy underway 9/33 to day 14/33

3 minute read time.

9/33 Monday 7 April: Weight 73.8 kilos. Fairly straightforward today although I didn’t get to have my weekly ‘chat’, which was to be done Tuesday. The usual routine but including a full scan. I was told to try and drink more every day outside of the routine as my bladder was a little smaller today than usual. Still, the R/T was completed, so I went straight home.

 

10/33 Tuesday 8 April: Weight 73.6 kilos. Today, I was seen by one of the advisers, to see how I was feeling. She was the Mauritian lady named Mahini. Apart from a rise in nightly toilet visits from 3-4 to 5-6, everything was progressing well as far as I was concerned. I’d started that morning to take Amoxyllin to try and clear my productive cough. I said I normally get a stomach rash with this antibiotic, so she checked my tummy, which seemed normal. My bowels movements were as expected, loose but not too much. I confirmed I’d already started the bowel prep and was waiting for the enema to kick in. After we had finished our chat, I went straight to the toilet and then started my three cups of water. Big mistake. I was called through from reception to the R/T area whilst on my second cup. Having asked how long they would keep me waiting, I drank the third cup waiting for an answer. I was told 50 minutes because of yesterday’s small bladder. In the event, they kept me waiting longer but I’d already begun to ‘leak’ after 45 minutes and had taken a secret pee and another cup of water. By the time they were finally ready, we agreed I couldn’t hold on, was to empty my bladder, wait ten minutes, empty again then wait to be told when to start drinking again. Finally, I was told to drink three cups and given 15 minutes notice of treatment. All ok, so finally got out of the hospital at 15.10 having arrived at 12.10. May’s eye was looking worse after stooping her steroid eye drops. It hadn’t healed well after her cataract op., so she went to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London for some medical advice and treatment. I met her there after an hour’s rest at home. We finally got back at 23.00. A bowl of noodles, then straight to bed.

 

11/33 Wednesday 9 April: Weight 73.8 kilos. Slept well, considering. Only two toilet visits during the night. Appointment today at 13.00, so set out at 11.00 planning to arrive at midday. Metropolitan line suspended between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate due to signal failure at Finchley Road obliged me to move to Plan B which was bus to Harrow and Wealdstone main line station, then train to Euston. From there, I took the Victoria line, one stop to Warren Street opposite the hospital. It would have been quicker to walk. Arrived 20 minutes later than planned but they squeezed me in. Routine R/T today. Treated myself to two episodes of ‘The Wire’, so not in bed before midnight.

 

12/33 Thursday 10 April: Weight 74.4 kilos. Had time for shower and shave today, weather mild so no worries about cough. Arrived at 12.20, one hour before my appointment, but had completed the bowel prep stage before I was called through to one of the R/T waiting area. In that area, a tape of bird calls and soothing sounds is played, which I find helpful. Two out of three toilets u/s. Had my three cups of water, last at 13.05 and was called through at 13. 45, which was cutting it close for my bladder control. I’d dozed off before I was called, and strength of mind and pelvic floor muscles prevailed. Out of hospital at 14.15, met May at Finchley Road and we returned home together.

 

13/33 Friday 11 April: Weight 74.5 kilos. Had a slightly funny tummy this morning requiring two trips to the toilet before I left at 11.00 for UCLH. Probably a side effect of the antibiotics. Fairly straightforward today although I had to wait 50 minutes before I was switched to a less busy machine for treatment. Still, they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. My next five daily sessions will start this Sunday to make up for Good Friday.

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