This week seems to have been one of being lost and walking corridors of the hospital in an attempt to find different departments. The staff have been amazing - radioactive isotopes were injected into my husband before a special x-ray to check out his kidneys and heart, some of which was to ascertain what level of chemo he could tolerate. The good news (!!!) is that it looks like he has a high tolerance level and his organs are in good order.
Then to the day assessment unit as on Monday next week my husband has to have a portacath inserted into his chest wall to take the chemo, which will start on Thursday. The drag is that we have to be at the hospital at 07.30 and this branch of the two hospitals is miles away and absolutely little or no parking nearby, whereas its sister hospital is not far from us with good if expensive parking. Apparently the treatment has to take place in the Chelsea Marsden so it is a taxi to and from there on Monday as public transport is not allowed after a general anaesthetic. I am thinking I can ask the hospital about transferring to Sutton branch but do not hold out much hope. It is fine if it is a one off at this time of the morning, but the costs of the taxi from home and back are exorbitant and depending on his reaction to the chemo, we are not at all sure if hubby will be able to work.
On the up side, hubby seems more positive, although he did mix up that the specialist warned that the chemo treatment is 50/50 and took it to mean that his survival rate was that, but I know that is the first step in drugs and that there are others which can be tried.
Big birthday month approaching, and my husband is planning my birthday family lunch, two days after his first treatment, so his optimism is rising thank goodness.
It still feels that we are in a vacuum and I suppose the reality will not hit until he has his first chemo. He gets tired very quickly and I have noticed he is slower in walking and more laboured - not sure if this is the disease or just him being aware of his body.
So many friends are contacting us now, and my husband is really touched to get the calls of encouragement and I think this is his journey to accepting the diagnosis and going forward with the support of not only his family but friends and colleagues as well.
Next week is another chapter - for now I am looking after our daughter's two little boys for the weekend, and it is a delight to be thinking of something else whilst they are here.
Healing thoughts and prayers are winging our way, and now we start the fight in earnest ...
