Yesterday I went off and had my appointments at St Thomas'.
Went pretty much as expected, blood tests for Chemo department and then a chat with a nice nurse in the Radiotherapy department then after that I was scanned and pricked with three little dots (permanent ink tatoo's) one on each side of my hip and one at the base of my spine.
Risks associated with Radiotherapy were discussed and I brought home a booklet which covers mostly all side effects of Radiotherapy.
Because I'm having Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy at the same time, my treatment is called 'Chemoradiation'.
They have warned me that the Radiotherapy will probably cause early menopause, infertility (definitely not bothered about that bit), tiredness as the treatment progresses and other bits - but as everyone reacts differently it's impossible to say exactly how I'll react until the treatment is under way.
Felt quite tearful last night - not really sure why but I think it's just because every time I have an appointment it's all getting a bit closer and more 'real'. Whilst there are no appointments I can just take my painkillers and get on with not thinking about it all too much but when an appointment comes around it seems to bring things back to the forefront again.
Anyway, I'll dust myself off and get on with it all simply because I have to - certainly not because I want to!
My first dose of Radiotherapy is on Monday 7th June and will continue Monday to Fridays until 9th July. I also pick up my Chemo tablets on the 7th June after the first Radiotherapy session.
Soooo, I shall be spending my 50th birthday - on the 10th June - having treatment for Cancer, certainly not something I'd planned whenever anyone asked me 'What do you fancy doing for your 50th this year?'.......:-(
About Me
- Carole
- I'm Carole, living in London, happily married and mum to two amazing boys.I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Rectal Cancer in April 2010. Surgery took place in November 2010 and I now have a permanent colostomy...Spinal mets were then diagnosed in October 2011...In January 2012 I was told of further spread to the hip area (multiple lesions)..My life expectancy is now 6-9 months. Walk alongside me on the last part of my experience with this..
You are amazing...I am so pleased you did this blog as usually all those thoughts (and there are many) get bottled up inside...It makes it slightly more bearable when you can get them down in type...as for the 4am, it is a lonely time for sure! Not sure if you are into religion, well I am and you are in my prayers. T x
ReplyDeleteThank you Tony, knowing you've been there and listening to your advice has been so very helpful to me. You're a real trooper and I'm so glad to have you on my side in this :-) xx
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