Medical Update

Today was clinic day, so I got to chat to the doctor and my specialist nurse before my radiotherapy treatment.

I say "doctor" but I was lucky enough to see the head of radiotherapy  and therefore ask a lot of unanswered questions about my treatment programme as a whole.  I have taken a shine to the head of radiotherapy as she is quite a "forward" person and is very happy to engage you.  It makes a recipe for a clear and frank exchange.  All of staff are good and the other heads of departments are spot on too, but I find an easiness in getting my point across to this lady without having to choose my words.

My shift from standard trial process to more chemotherapy and radiotherapy means that I am now in another process that I have to learn about.

Here are some relevant facts

My latest blood results are OK, so I still don't need a blood transfusion.  I am pleased about that though would feel if happier if my haemoglobin wasn't just marginally above the requirement.

I am being given a big dose of radiotherapy and so can only go through the process once.  Equally significantly, I will not be reviewed for operation until twelve weeks after the end of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment; that takes us into December.  The reason for this is that whereas the delay before surgery after chemotherapy is to allow the body to recover the delay after radiotherapy is to allow the radiotherapy to keep working.

So it is a time for calm, routine and just keep doing the things that I am doing.

On a downside note eating is now becoming difficult.  My ability to eat has deterioriated a lot in the last week or so and I am using fizzy drinks to get food down.  I say this whilst maintaining a fairly normal diet.  I will keep an eye on things but may have to compromise further soon.

All said and down, at the moment I am a "Swordfish" without any real vices.  It must be the first time in adulthood and it is just a little bit frightening.  Unlike Oscar Wilde, I can even resist temptation!