Thursday 31 October 2013

Sun burn

So that's a weeks worth of radiotherapy and today the affected side is starting to get burned.  The radiologists told me earlier in the week that this was so but I had not noticed it but I did immediately start using the aqueous cream to excess.
I was booked in for physiotherapy today expecting that I would be doing a series of exercises.  The physiology did go through the warm ups but the actual stretches were left for me to do at home.
I have been lucky enough to have lift to the hospital some days through the week.  This as made a big difference and I have found the visits on these occasions much easier to deal with.
Yesterday should have involved a visit to to GP but this was cancelled by the surgery but I enjoyed a pub lunch with a former colleague.  It's a joy to be able to eat out, this was not allowed when I was on chemo.
If you get chance take a look at my article in 'Out Nort West' that you can read online.
Best wishes for November.
Xxxx

Sunday 27 October 2013

Moorland walk

We picked today to do the most strenuous walk I have done since the beginning of my treatment.  It wasn't meant to be too difficult but some of the footpaths are so badly way marked and in such bad condition we covered more ground than we had intended to do.
Having got the 181 bus (bus passes are great) we travelled to Jubilee corner in Shaw and walked over to Brushes reservoir, had a coffee out of the flask and then onto the 'Black Ladd' public house for our tea.
It poured down much of the way and when there was a distinct footpath it tended to be a stream.
You may think none of this was a big deal.  The moorland terrain can be ankle breakingly rough and uneven and the energy to do this walk was enormous.  So it is fair to say that I am very chuffed with myself, my recovery and my health in general.
Enjoy your week.
Xxx

Saturday 26 October 2013

Radiotherapy

I had my first radiotherapy on Friday.  Certainly a lot easier than chemotherapy.  One reason being that the journey is all of ten minutes.  
The unit is at the Royal Oldham hospital.  It is,of the same standard as the main Christie hospital at Withington.  This unit deals with 80 patients a day so,they can be forgiven for running late.  There are two Linac machines.  The process involves putting on the gown that you are given and then lying on a metal table while the radiographer adjusts your position.  The machine is then lined up to the tattoos makes that were made last week.  
The actual radiotherapy last 2 minutes on each mark while the radiographer have left the room.
Once again I have to say how good the staff are.  They instil confidence by their professionalism with compassion.  The patients identity is checked several times and there is a photograph of you on the computer so the chances of them getting it wrong are very small.
So there are now 14 treatments left.  I may become tired towards the end and may have some burning to the area being treated.  This has been a long journey but it feels that I am coming to the end of the first part.
Take care.  Look after yourselves and your loved ones.
Xxxx

Friday 18 October 2013

Tattooed

I now have two tattoos, one on my chest and the other under the arm.  They don't say 'mum & dad' or 'love & hate' or if they do you will need a microscope to read them, they are tiny reference marks to line up the X-Ray machine.  I was expecting to be in for up to two hours but the whole process from booking in took just over twenty minutes.  This included a CT scan. A novel experience.
I have read a couple of things this morning running Oldham down.  I know I am a bit daft about the town and think it is the centre of the universe and often don't see what is wrong about it but having an outpost of the Christie is a real boon to the town.
Once again I have to say how the entire Christie staff and organisation stands head and shoulders above a lot of the NHS.
Take care and enjoy the weekend.

Thursday 10 October 2013

Tats-I said tats

This is what my hair is looking like or at least that what it feels like.
I get my tattoos next week so the radiotherapy will start the following week.  For some reason I am feeling rather anxious about this.  I don't know why this should be has it cannot compare with chemotherapy.  I am certainly getting tired of the whole hospital stuff.  Of course I know how lucky I am to have such an easy to treat cancer and to be treated on the NHS-the chemo itself costs around £5000.
Generally, my anxiety levels are high and it's struggle to be positive all the time.  So if there is anyone out there that has a mantra they can pass on please do so.
Be kind to one another.
Xxxx


Wednesday 9 October 2013

Radiotherapy

Went to see the consultant yesterday.  Really seemed a long day to be told that the radiotherapy will start within the next fortnight and within the next week I will get 'marked up' up for it.  This means being marked on chest and under arm with a marker pen and then the marks are made permanent tattoo fashion.  These marks are for the correct positioning of what in affect is an X-Ray machine.
The distance I have to travel for this will be less as it can be carried out at the local hospital but will be every weekday for three weeks.
I have found losing a lot of my independence very difficult and really need now to get back to my old self.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Loving my own bed.

I was discharged yesterday morning.  What an incredible six days that was.  If I have ever complained  about my illness during the last few months may I never do so again.  It would be wrong of me to talk specifically about the illnesses of my fellow inpatient but there were some vey sick people in there who just got on with there lives.
I had a stubborn urinary tract infection that needed some strong antibiotics.  I was doing alright until my temperature spiked again and had to start counting the normal temperature for 48 hours again.
As I say I had an easy ride compaired to some.  So really glad now to be home.  I have an outpatients appointment next week which I guess will be about radiotherapy.  So all systems go for the next phase.
Take care
Xxxx