Week 14 - Thursday 2nd July
Can you believe we're now in the month of July? I certainly can't. I know this year has been a weird one, so far it's felt like this year as been slow, but also flown past. That sentence makes no sense, but that's how it's felt. For me, a lot has already happened this year, but at the same time with my treatment, it has also felt slow, especially when I've had days where I've just needed to sleep, or haven't felt well.
This past week, all I've had is my brachytherapy treatment. My body is very slowly, starting to recover day by day. I'm not needing to nap as much, and my appetite continues to slowly improve. However, I do get tired very quickly, and need to sit down a lot. My brain is becoming more active, and finding it a bit easier to concentrate. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say, but I hadn't really noticed it until recently. My progress is paused for the days I have my treatment due to having nil by mouth, and then not being able to eat anything until brachytherapy is complete, which is usually around 4pm. Getting a sandwich and a cup of tea never felt so good! Also, these stockings are really comfy. I put them on before leaving the house, and don't take them off until late evening. I forget they're there!
Speaking of the treatment, Friday's spinal anesthetic (spinal block as it's called), worked. I had a different anesthetist, and she text the one from Tuesday to rub it in! She tested my legs with what I would liken to canned air. I could feel the cold air a little on my left leg, but not on my right, and definitely not in the area actually being worked on. Possibly my scoliosis may effect where my nerves and so forth are sat. Anyway, my legs are hoisted up, then the bed is tipped as though I'm almost doing a handstand. I had no idea when they started the work, unlike last time. I listened to music from my phone while they worked away, and then off to recovery when they were done. It's fascinating hearing them all work. Off I pop to CT and MRI for the planning scans, then wait to have the actual treatment, then afterwards everything is taken out. Below is a sneaky picture of my view from the brachytherapy treatment room.
Tuesday wasn't successful with the spinal, as I could feel the cold air sprayed on both legs, even though they felt like lead weights. However, they had the sedative ready, just like on Friday, and off I went to sleep. The spinal anesthetic does make me a little anxious, and could tell my heart rate increased during that time. The anesthetist asked me if I felt disappointed it didn't work. I replied to him saying "a little, but I know you have a back-up plan, so I'm not worried". It does make me groggy for longer, compared to Friday, but I don't feel any pain. I was a little achy after surgery, like a really mild period pain, but they gave me some paracetamol to make sure I'm comfortable, then a slow release pain relief before I go off for treatment. I don't have any pain afterwards, or when I get home. The only thing I need to keep an eye on is blood loss, as understandably, having that area worked on, there will be a bit of blood. Friday there was a bit more than on Tuesday, but that cleared up by Saturday. If it continued, they advised popping to A&E, but there was no need.
Friday 3rd July, is my last level, the final boss fight, my last treatment, having started the fight in May. There's a bell in the waiting area, and everyone that finishes their treatment can ring it. Part of me will be so happy to finish the treatment, as it has been pretty brutal, but part of me, the realist, will know it's not really over, as I won't have the all clear yet. What I do know, is that every single person treating me, are doing the best they can for the best possible outcome for me. The treatment is to rid me of the cancer. So with that, I'm trying to stay on the slightly more optimistic / realistic side of the fence.
On a completely unrelated note, our strawberry plants are baring a lot of fruit. The plants are over 10 years old, and it surprises me every year that they are still going! We'll be enjoying them with some scones, the Devonshire way (sorry Cornish friends, but if I were in Cornwall, I would eat them your way, promise!).
As always, stay safe, stay well, and if you're not feeling right, get yourself checked out xxx
This past week, all I've had is my brachytherapy treatment. My body is very slowly, starting to recover day by day. I'm not needing to nap as much, and my appetite continues to slowly improve. However, I do get tired very quickly, and need to sit down a lot. My brain is becoming more active, and finding it a bit easier to concentrate. I know that sounds like a weird thing to say, but I hadn't really noticed it until recently. My progress is paused for the days I have my treatment due to having nil by mouth, and then not being able to eat anything until brachytherapy is complete, which is usually around 4pm. Getting a sandwich and a cup of tea never felt so good! Also, these stockings are really comfy. I put them on before leaving the house, and don't take them off until late evening. I forget they're there!
Speaking of the treatment, Friday's spinal anesthetic (spinal block as it's called), worked. I had a different anesthetist, and she text the one from Tuesday to rub it in! She tested my legs with what I would liken to canned air. I could feel the cold air a little on my left leg, but not on my right, and definitely not in the area actually being worked on. Possibly my scoliosis may effect where my nerves and so forth are sat. Anyway, my legs are hoisted up, then the bed is tipped as though I'm almost doing a handstand. I had no idea when they started the work, unlike last time. I listened to music from my phone while they worked away, and then off to recovery when they were done. It's fascinating hearing them all work. Off I pop to CT and MRI for the planning scans, then wait to have the actual treatment, then afterwards everything is taken out. Below is a sneaky picture of my view from the brachytherapy treatment room.
Tuesday wasn't successful with the spinal, as I could feel the cold air sprayed on both legs, even though they felt like lead weights. However, they had the sedative ready, just like on Friday, and off I went to sleep. The spinal anesthetic does make me a little anxious, and could tell my heart rate increased during that time. The anesthetist asked me if I felt disappointed it didn't work. I replied to him saying "a little, but I know you have a back-up plan, so I'm not worried". It does make me groggy for longer, compared to Friday, but I don't feel any pain. I was a little achy after surgery, like a really mild period pain, but they gave me some paracetamol to make sure I'm comfortable, then a slow release pain relief before I go off for treatment. I don't have any pain afterwards, or when I get home. The only thing I need to keep an eye on is blood loss, as understandably, having that area worked on, there will be a bit of blood. Friday there was a bit more than on Tuesday, but that cleared up by Saturday. If it continued, they advised popping to A&E, but there was no need.
Friday 3rd July, is my last level, the final boss fight, my last treatment, having started the fight in May. There's a bell in the waiting area, and everyone that finishes their treatment can ring it. Part of me will be so happy to finish the treatment, as it has been pretty brutal, but part of me, the realist, will know it's not really over, as I won't have the all clear yet. What I do know, is that every single person treating me, are doing the best they can for the best possible outcome for me. The treatment is to rid me of the cancer. So with that, I'm trying to stay on the slightly more optimistic / realistic side of the fence.
On a completely unrelated note, our strawberry plants are baring a lot of fruit. The plants are over 10 years old, and it surprises me every year that they are still going! We'll be enjoying them with some scones, the Devonshire way (sorry Cornish friends, but if I were in Cornwall, I would eat them your way, promise!).
As always, stay safe, stay well, and if you're not feeling right, get yourself checked out xxx
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