19/33 Tuesday 22 April: Weight 74.7 kilos. Had my usual weekly chat with Mitch. Told her about my niece’s new baby and my daughter expecting one in August. See, it’s not all about me. Everything ok with me, as far as I am concerned, although the tiredness each day when I get home is getting to me a little. No other major side effects except realising that, when I need to empty my bowels, I mustn’t delay. Also, I have found myself suddenly leaking into my tissue pad, without warning. A bit longer on the table today as scan included. The radiographer was concerned that I might pee all over his expensive machine but I was able to hold it together. Hooray for me.
20/33 Wednesday 23 April: Weight 74.4 kilos. Emptied my bowel before leaving home. Still did my bowel prep on arrival at UCLH, but not much of a result. Hopefully, good enough for the R/T. Otherwise, not so much will power today. Drank my three cups of water and lasted 30 minutes before I had to pee. Drank another cup to replace. My name was called but as I had only had another 10 minutes after my replacement cup, suggested another guy, Andreas, went ahead of me. He told the radiographer he’d finished drinking one hour before. After his ten minutes, it was my turn and my bladder felt full. The R/T went smoothly and I apologised for messing with their schedule. They didn’t mind but the other guy has ‘been known to lie’ about when he drank, so I promised to do as I was told in future.
21/33 Thursday 24 April: Weight 75.0 kilos. Everything went well today. Bowel prep, water retention, aided by dozing whilst waiting for the 40 minutes to pass, alignment and R/T. Really getting the hang of it. Seemed to be a slight pain in my tummy but no real sign of the rash I was warned about. Mind you, my skin is dry anyway so I probably wouldn’t notice.
22/33 Friday 25 April: Weight 75.0 kilos. Felt very tired today, nodding off in the R/T reception. Otherwise, as good yesterday, but no tummy ache. May met me at the hospital but, as she wanted to shop and I was too tired, I took the train straight home and got to bed as soon as I could.
23/33 Saturday 26 April: Weight 74.5 kilos. An extra day today to make up for Easter Monday. Slight constipation, which I managed to overcome before I left home. Easy trip in, bowel prep done and water drinking completed by 10.12, 30 minutes before my appointment time. After starting my newspaper crossword, I dozed off until called through for R/T at 10.50. It helps my bladder control by dozing slightly whilst lying on the carbon fibre bed, listening to the sound of the machinery and noting the light on the revolving equipment passing over my closed eyes. A few clicks and nudges whilst my tattoo marks are lined up remotely, then the whine of the actual radiotherapy being applied, which lasts about one minute. Once, that finishes, the rotating arms return to their rest position and the radiographer’s come back in saying, ‘Well done, all complete’ in a loud voice. The bed is lowered so I can step off it and pull up my shorts. On with the trousers and shoes, and away. After waiting in reception for 10 minutes, to ensure bladder emptied, I left for home, arriving by 12.30. Needed to sleep for one hour in the afternoon but otherwise, no problems.
