Prostate Cancer update four…
I began my radiotherapy sessions on Wednesday just gone. I have been a little worried about this due to the ‘dire’ warnings, but I did get through the ‘bracky’ without a hitch, so … but the why and wherefores do not always meet with sense and sensibility…
The day before this, I managed to get out for my first sail since my brachytherapy operation. It was quiet, peaceful and good for the soul. Wind was light, but did increase to get the boat going along at three knots or so … Whimbrel’s mate was with me – nice.
Running out of the creek…
The first was a bit ‘traumatic’, well fraught really. I was a little late being called forward and then on the scan which takes place first, it was found I had some wind (!) and had to ‘get rid of it’ before proceeding. I did this and waited and waited, my bladder filled three hours earlier beginning to want to burst. (Bladder has to be full or nearly so for treatment – forces ones ‘bits’ into ‘right’ place…
The machine…
I was then told I was after the next person … I went to the loo (sorry folks, but being ‘hospitalised’ destroys inhibitions!) and then began guzzling lots of water to fill the bladder – always a delay and only a percentage goes straight in. The normal filling time can be up to 1 1/2 hours. Come on you men, down the pub, it takes a couple of pints of beer before the urge begins…
Then the machine broke down … radiologists and their patient in tow hot-footed to another treatment room.
Finally I went in for my session too … the radiologists positioned my midriff, pulling and pushing the ‘mass’ into position to get the laser positioning right. Then one seems to stay as the unit rotates 360 degrees taking a scan. The scan is looked at. The ‘slab’ jiggles as motors fine adjust so that treatment programme is accurately directed. Then the ‘radio head’ rotates around one revolution bombarding my bits with a radioactive beam. (I joked to the ladies in our local library – nice place and caring people – about my bits glowing … I had them in fits. Christobel was aghast!).
I talked the radiographer into taking this picture on my camera … also told her about those men who had listened to my tale and responded. She said well done to all…
Before beginning my ‘sessions’ I had got hold of a length of 8 mm diameter mild steel rod to make up a punch for ‘tapping’ down the centre plate on Whimbrel, after a ‘stone’ has got caught between plate and ballast keel … this has happened a couple of times in the last decade. Once around the Walton Backwaters after going onto Stone Point for a scrub. Titchmarsh Marina’s yard let me borrow a rod to fix the problem. The other happened after a ‘scrape’ over a shingle bank in the Crouch by Bridgemarsh Creek when my sister and two friends were aboard for a week’s pottering – it was my fault! On the latter occasion, the plate didn’t free easily, but eventually went as we tacked up stream…
I vowed to get a proper punch of good length. The top of the plate can be felt by the rod through the lift wire slot – after removing a covering wood top piece.
So, over the first period of my radiotherapy, I got on with putting a punch together!
The bits at the start … wood and metal!
Rod with rough shaped wood hold…
Close up of wooden end.
Rod after first coat of anti-rust paint and handle with varnish…
I have now completed the first ‘week’ – only three, but it is a start. Only twenty more to go. I’m assured that a level of ‘unwellness and tiredness’ will creep up towards the middle of the treatment, but I’m beginning not to worry about it too much.
We plan at present to get away for a couple of nights over on the River Medway over the early May Bank Holiday. I know it’ll do me good… The boat will have a dirty bottom and the varnish work will not be completed – so what!
My first impression of the radiographers I have been in contact with is a ‘caring, protective and positive’ manner. It inspires confidence and I have even begun to ‘joke’ with them – not that they understand my comments about lining up the port, starboard and midships marks…
Hey, what the hell…
Previous blogs…