Day One - Let the RT Begin

1 minute read time.
And so the first day of RT has finally arrived. Didn't sleep well last night as knocked the PEG tube during night (felt as though someone had poked me with a hot knitting needle). Wii Fit first thing saw an encouraging weight gain of 3lbs in a week. Diet starts today and kicked off with my first run since surgery on 10 Oct. It was extremely steady state, am sure a few snails overtook me on my blind side. Its amazing how fitness falls off without practice, but I kept going for 30 minutes and have laid the benchmark down, come rain or shine, as my pre - RT daily routine takes shape. How long I can continue to do the morning runs we shall see. The dog enjoyed running alongside me, it is a joy I have missed. Picked up by driver, Clive, in good time and an open road saw us arrive at southampton oncology department half an hour early (back in the land of poorly people - Not Like). Asked to wait in another waiting room, so one step further than last week. About to have an initial chat and then in for the zapping... An hour later and finally got the call, a brief chat with nurse, Jenny and then handed over to the RT team. Mask still fitted snugly so settled in to the background music of The Kinks and Beach Boys - very surreal. About 10-15mins of a seriously claustrophobic experience and I was told we needed to start again just to ensure the 'CancerZapper' was calibrated properly. Whilst initially disappointed it had to be done do donned the mask again and laid back to Build Me Up Buttercup and a bit of Elton John. With RT finished the mask was removed but due to pressure of mask on eyelids temporary blurred vision was the result and I cagily left the building trying not to bump into anyone or anything. Couldn't read phone to call driver for colllection for a further 10mins. Forgot to pick neck cream up - will get tomorrow. Home within the hour, bite to eat and then the joy of gargling salt water (will be doing this 10 times a day for next 12 weeks - Yuk). Still - 1 Down and only 29 treatments to go, we are on a roll...! 
Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember
    I'm glad things went well for you today. Strange that my hubby also had first RT dose today, six weeks to go! I wish you all the best, we've certainly got some challenging times ahead of us both . Hubby's radiographer wasn't happy with his mask as his neck has shrunk after neck dissection so we are having to go back tomorrow to get another one made. Not a great start but we're happy at least they are being ultra cautious! Keep us posted. Louise x
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    It does seem at times that it is one step forward and two steps back Louise (ref poorly fitting mask).  I am using the length of string technique.  Imagine a length of string/rope/wool - tie 30 knots into it - as each session is completed then pull the string towards you to the next knot.  Before we know it we will be at the final knot.  I have also knocked up three 'chuffcharts' see below - a bit like painting by numbers colour one segment in after each session.  I am colouring mine in green (reminding me of the Incredible Hulk and his awesome strength).  Hope they help...