Treatment step 3 - PBT week

I've left matters for a couple of weeks post "beastie nuking" to try and encompass any short term effects.

However, 1st things first. Treatment.

Accommodation as per the mask moulding appointment is set up for you and no hassle involved.

Transport by taxi is prearranged from hotel to hospital and again, issue free.

Day 1.

There will be a few x-rays taken to verify previous data (for example small variations given reduction of any earlier swelling). That will be it. No radiotherapy that day. 20-30 minutes duration.

Days 2-5

These are all similar, each around 20 minutes or so. You will be given a schedule of appointment times some am, some pm in my case.

Drops are given in the waiting area, with a second set applied in the treatment room. These are intended to reduce movement of the eye, and blink response, during treatment.

The "subject" eye will have surgical tape applied to upper and lower eye areas to keep the eye open and the upper eyelid flat. To my understanding the beam will transit through the eyelid when applied hence the prep work.

During this, the frame and mask will be set in and your head steadied into the hardware.

You are essentially set to go. In each session, further x-rays are taken and an audio cue will let you know when those are in progress. Then the treatment is applied. There will be a different cue whilst this is happening with the dosing lasts for 20-30 seconds. You may notice a blue "light" in your vision as the protons interact with the retina. This is mentioned for awareness only as focus should be maintained on the red led that will be set specifically for your circumstances. The better you focus on that, the steadier your eye, which helps improve on any outcome for residual eye function.

Once that is done, you are free for the day once more. You will have some drops to apply after the 1st treatment and for a 28 day period thereafter. 2 sets only.

Over the week, my good lady and I found opportunity to take trips into Chester and Liverpool, and a couple of walks around nearby Port Sunlight and out of town shopping area. I mention these only as examples.

Post treatment

A lot of short term effects are possible which are mentioned in the treatment paperwork. I'm now at the point they suggest the worst of these should occur, 3-4 weeks...I feel at this point I have been fortunate to avoid anything of note. I stress though these can occur later and so I am still waiting on these to potentially occur.

In the interim I've now started the secondary screening regime. CT/MRI number 1 has happened, and the results have been reassuringly clear. Given mine was an early catch, I am quietly hopeful that the PBT will be all I need, but I stress timing is everything.

As always I hope this goes someway to de-mystify this step, but of course this is just my experience on my circumstances.

Best regards and good wishes for treatment to all.