We went to the special treatment centre yesterday. It was a very calm and purpose built unit with a nice day room next to a garden and different rooms where patients were sitting receiving various forms of treatment including Chemo. The staff were pleasant and reassuring. Pat was nervous, as he has been told that the Octreotide injections were painful. There was tea and coffee making equipment and free supplies for relatives in the little kitchen off the day room.
First he was given a test dose, which was not too bad and then we had to wait for 2 hours to see if he reacted badly, which he didn't. Then he went off and had the full dose. He said it was not nearly as bad as he thought and he would certainly be able to cope with it once a month. I always go with his choice and although I went in with him for the test dose he asked me to wait whilst he had the full one. I think he didn't want me to see him if it was very painful.
We have further appointments, tests and an Oncology appointment already in place with clear instructions. I have a booklet with 24 emergency numbers in case of adverse reactions.
This morning he is feeling slightly nauseaous and has had some Diarrheoa in the night but not too bad. We don't expect everything to be fine straight away and are taking one day at a time.
We managed to have a nice day on Sunday with our young grandson and it worked out well that the treatment was able to start the next day.
Christmas will be spent quietly with our son, who is a great support.
