First radiotherapy session took place on Monday morning and I will summarise how it works, for those of you that may have that on your horizon. The session, from entering the specific area, to be done, was pretty quick. Around 20 minutes, but more than 5 of those was the nurse going through some paperwork with me, then another 5-10 mins of waiting on someone finishing their treatment, then my turn. On the table itself, the majority of the less than 10 mins in there, was them adjusting my position on the table. For radiotherapy, my position and the tattooed markers from last week, have to line up exactly. The actual ‘zapping’ (high energy radiotherapy beam) lasted around 2 mins only, then once done, a quick adjusting of my clothing and then all done.
The beam cannot be felt and it is just noise, during the administering of that beam. In the very immediate aftermath of the ‘zapping’, I could physically feel where the new growth is and the best way to describe the feeling is that it felt ‘defined’. Whether that is the high energy beam getting to work (I do not know). As the day wore on, that feeling increased and a ‘tightness’ developed, around that right hand side of my hip. The pain gradually increased too and up to now, whilst I could feel the growth and had some discomfort, pain was not really part of that; it is now. Thankfully, the pain levels have not reached a point where I feel that I need to take pain relief tablets, but we will see. The tightness and pain remained notable for the rest of the evening and was there when I woke up this morning. It is slightly debilitating, in that I have to think about how I move and cannot move my right leg too quickly.
In the morning of day 2, I went ahead and tried my usual exercise routine that I do every other day. Thankfully, I was able to do all of them normally, with just some slower movement between different exercises and positions. After the second session on day 2, I decided to drive home, in order to see if there were any issues trying to drive; there was not. By the evening, I was starting to feel a little tireder, but unsure if that was treatment related. As with the whole journey through this disease over the past 3+ years, I have aimed to live a normal life, where possible and I intend to carry on like that, side effects dependent.
During day 2, I had a slightly amusing couple of phone calls. The first was from the Canterbury unit to book in the first of my Zometa infusions. That is the bone strengthening medication that Dr. Rahman suggested, to counter the impact of the radiotherapy. I asked if it could be done at the mobile unit, but Canterbury stated no and that they would do the first 2 (they will be every 3-months), so they can check for side effects (the info letter provided a long list of potentials!). I tried to get the appointment for this week, as it would save me another trip to Canterbury next week, but again, that was a no. So be it, it needs doing and I will get on with it. Not long after, the mobile unit rang (I have been under their care for more than 1 year) to tell me to ignore the Canterbury appointment for next week. I am under their care, Canterbury cannot ‘steal me’ and they will administer the 15-minute infusion next Wednesday, when I go to collect my tablets. I have known one of the nurses for 25+ years and she lives almost opposite our home. She was very annoyed and clearly very protective of me remaining with them. I did raise the issue of the side effects monitoring, but she told me they are rare and her team delivers those types of injections frequently, so they know what they are doing. Another key aspect of that Zometa is that I have to get a ‘fitness’ letter from my dentist, to confirm that no treatment is planned for the next 6-months, as the infusion can affect my jaw bone. I have put the wheels in motion for that and hope to have that in time for Monday’s normal 3-monthly blood test. For me, a funny and rapid series of events, but the plan is much more convenient for me personally and I do like being under the local team - they are very good.
Day 3 began with a slightly sore skeleton - the kind you get when a cold is beginning. I also had a slightly sore throat and a bit chesty, so could be just a cold related aspect. The trouble when in treatment plans like these, it can be very hard to distinguish the difference in treatment plan impacts and ‘normal’ illness impacts that we all suffer. Those overall feelings did increase the feelings of tiredness. The pain in my right hip bone area appeared to be less notable, from getting out of bed. The 3rd session was straight forward again and it gave me a chance to ask some more questions. The dosage and the duration are identical each day, so any variation is the duration that I am on the table, is down to them positioning, then taking the required imagery, prior to the actual delivery of the beam itself; great to understand the full workings of what is being done and it helps me to relax more and put my trust in the process. As the day wore on, I did start to feel a bit odd, but that may be down to the slight cold - impossible to say, but I will see what unfolds over the next 24-hours.
Day 4 did show a smidge more tiredness, and increased feelings of a ‘cold’, but nothing too bad. The session itself remained quick and easy, but once done, the area being targeted, did feel a little sorer - but not as restrictive as Monday evening / Tuesday. Apart from that, Thursday was a mostly uneventful day.
I have been thinking about the impact that the radiotherapy may be having on my body and the fact that, like chemo, it is not meant to be in your body. I made a joke with Sandra that I should use the name ‘Chernobyly Pete’ for the time being. That also led to me starting to rewatch the excellent drama series done a few years back, on the Chernobyl disaster on Day 4, a series that provides a stark insight into the extremes of nuclear science. Thankfully, mine is much more controlled and targeted, now a case of wait and see.
Day 5 began with a notable increase in the ‘body tiredness’, but unsure whether this was related to the potential cold, or whether the whole overall feeling is directly linked to the radiotherapy. Sandra and I had plans to go out first thing, to restock our food supplies, but I decided to remain at home, leaving Sandra to cover that chore alone. I took it easy up to the point of having to leave and undertake the final session no. 5, for radiotherapy. We had some superb weather during the week and after we got home, Sandra and I decided to undertake some light DIY, by replacing our garden lights.
Later in the evening, after we had eaten, we both sat on our garden benches and took time to reflect on the fact that I have just completed my course of radiotherapy. It is certainly very, very different to chemotherapy and for me, so far, no real notable side effects; although the team today did remind me that they can kick in during the weeks to come. Radiotherapy is quicker, easier and takes up so much less time. Neither Sandra, I, or my close family, have any idea of what impact this latest treatment will have on my overall health situation, but, as stated above, we feel strongly that we had to take this suggested treatment, in the hope that it does some, or all, of what Dr Rahman thinks it may do. For now, take stock, relax a little and see what comes next; the week to come is when I have my usual 3-monthly bloods and medication renewal, alongside the first of the bone strengthening infusions.
Besides this (deliberately) indepth medical focus this week, I focused mainly on my writing, as it was easy to rest, monitor what may unfold medically, but not remain idle (not something that I have a tendency to do!). Regarding the ‘117’ project, 10% of the biographies have been completed. Alongside that, another notable quantity of the Munkemer photos have been placed into that book template, with the end of the photo laying phase in sight.
We had booked a night out with the girls that we meet up with regularly, but cancelled that, due to having the dates for the treatment confirmed. On Saturday, after ensuring that I felt okay, we drove to the farm to meet with the group guys and cover off the final tasks of clearing the last of the smaller items from the barn, plus a couple of other related tasks. Great to catch up with those that could come along and also for all of us (pretty much been the same group of guys who have attended) to see this project through to conclusion.
There was a slight increase in side effects later on Saturday evening, but more so throughout Sunday. All manageable so far, but certainly a change; one to watch for the coming week. We nipped out for an hour to get a couple of things, but made the sensible decision to go back home, instead of going on elsewhere, just to continue to be cautious during this unknown phase.
In summary, the radiotherapy is complete and a cautious week as a result.
Your time spent on these is appreciated.
Regards, Peter