Half way through radiotherapy. So far so good!

Isn’t the NHS fantastic at doing things like this.  I wish it could join all the brilliant bits together, but we are lucky to have discovered this site to act as the glue!  Well done for getting to the half way stage.  The second half unfortunately drags on but each session is another 5% towards your goal and it will soon be a thing of the past when you magically transform into experts and will be posting here giving advice to newbies. You wll enjoy Christmas even more.  Best wishes to you both. David

Hi Linda - That's great and you haven't spoken of any problems so that's a bonus. It's a great feeling too that you know you are playing a part in your own treatment - travelling each day and being on time and following instructions.

Where I was at Oldham we had two machines - one being down for maintenance all the time I was there so the waiting room was always full. - I met some very inspiring people there. Prepare yourself for the shock after the 20 fractions of - well nothing - no travelling, no appointments - you get your life back.

I hope the next two weeks go well - he sure will miss his "enemy" and that you both have a cracking Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hello Lin. It’s great to read such a positive update! It sounds as if things are going really well for you both and I’m so pleased! The travelling was the hardest part for me and the enemas were the hardest part for my husband! He had to have one every day throughout and not to the half way point! 

just to advise you - we came home after the last session and really did not know what to do with ourselves after months of appointments etc. it felt so strange! It felt like we had suddenly regained a freedom to which we had to adjust! Also, the affects of the radiotherapy continue for some time after the last session - especially the tiredness. 

And - one big piece of advice - get out and, if possible, away and enjoy LIFE! We all deserve this after the stresses of diagnosis and treatment pathways:)

I wish you the happiest Christmas ever and well done to you and your husband!

xxx

Hello Linda, I'm so happy things are going so well for both of you, and problem free, as we already knew and you have found out the radiotherapy department is by far the friendliest department in any hospital, as worriedwife and Brian say, when it's all over and you have so much free time to do whatever you want, it feels strange and takes a little time to get used to it again. I hope the second half of treatment goes as well as the first and hope you have a wonderful Christmas. take care, Eddie 

Thank you Brian for all your, kindness, wisdom and support. You are a worthy Champion for sure! I’m looking forward to no more travelling into Edinburgh city, it’s so busy at Christmas time. Just need to get through the next two weeks. We have had no real problems or issues although today he has felt very fatigued and can’t shift a headache so has been resting a lot today. The support from all you guys has been invaluable to me, I’m not sure how I’d have got through without you all.  A big thank you and hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

best wishes 

Linda x

Hello Worriedwife,

Thank you for your kind words and advice. I will be relieved when I don’t have to drive into the city every day, worrying about parking stresses me out. I am looking forward to having some time back with less appointments and more local follow up. I am so grateful to you all, going through what you all have and still are to an extent, and yet still here to support everyone and encourage and give hope to people is just simply amazing, humbling and selfless of you all.

I hope you and your husband stay well and happy for many years to come and both have a wonderful Christmas.

Linda x

Thank you Eddie, yes the radiography staff have been just amazing. The NHS at its very best. I’m just hoping we get through the next two weeks as easily as we have so far, although Martyn feeling generally unwell today with headaches and fatigue but it’s bound to happen at some point and he is just trying to rest up. I really appreciate your support and hope you too go from strength to strength. Have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas.

Linda x

 LinP 

Hi Linda,

It seems strange but the best thing to combat fatigue from RT is exercise! Even a short walk will do wonders.

 Tell Martyn he should rest when he needs to, exercise as often as he can and finally, in two weeks time give that bell the loudest ring he can muster.

I hope everything goes smoothly for the next fortnight.

Thank you Seamus, he did walk our two spaniels for an hour today but he just has felt a bit rough all day so has been resting but hopefully tomorrow he might feel better and I’ll encourage him to come out on a nice walk, not so pleasant in all the rain we’ve had but I agree he always seems better if he can try and do some exercise  each day, even if he doesn’t initially feel like it. 
Hope you are doing well and have a lovely Christmas p.

Linda x

So pleased everything is going well. Have you checked out Maggie's who are based at the western hospital in Edinburgh, according to google.They have been so lovely with me albeit at a different location. Whilst husband was having his chemo I went to sit there and have a coffee and always someone to chat to if you want to. If you just want peace and quiet then they respect that as well. Sometimes if we were really early husband would come in as well, although I nearly had to drag him through the door the first time. Best wishes to you