Treatment planning

Today we went to the hospital for my first proper consultation with the oncology team - in this case, radiotherapy.

I know that surgery is not an option at the moment, but the reassuring news is that the radiotherapy treatment regime would have been what happens first anyway, regardless of Covid-19.

We know the hospital well from Sheena's treatment last year - but it was so weird. The whole of the Wolverstone Ward area was empty - no chairs, no staff, the chemo ward itself closed and dark. We made our way through to radiotherapy - the last time we were there was when Sheena rung the bell. I hope to be doing that in due course too. The chemotherapy patients and others who need cancer treatment have been moved to a local private hospital.

Home made PPE 

Some of the staff wore PPE, some didn't. We took our own basic precautions - the face masks protect them, not us, which is just as important.

The Senior Registrar was very good at giving us time, and detail. He answered all our questions and explained things clearly. I saw the MRI scan of my insides - oops, that much fat?  I also saw my bladder, small intestine and - in the bowel - the denser shadow that is the tumour now known as Gertrude.

The initial plan is for five weeks of radiotherapy - Monday to Friday (I get weekends off, hooray). There will be some side effects, such as tiredness and possibly nausea, but from the sound of it nothing like the burning or pain that Sheena's radiotherapy caused. Different part of the body, different type of radiation I guess.

Along with the radiotherapy I will be taking a tablet form of chemotherapy. This will improve the result of the radiotherapy by10%. There may be side effects from this too, but if they get too bad, I can stop taking it.

After radiotherapy finishes, there will be a period of recovery. And then, if the national situation permits, I will be scheduled for surgery.

All in all it looks like I will be in for a pretty long haul of treatment and recovery, but I am optimistic. The outcome of this programme is 'cure'.

So, off to the hospital again on Thursday for the 'mapping scan', and perhaps some little marker tattoos, and then I hope to find out early next week when my radiotherapy will start.

Thank you for your support, encouragement and watch this space for more news on Gertrude and other things too.

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Little lifts

Having cancer myself has, of course, sent both Sheena and I into a slightly more reflective frame of mind, especially when we think about the last 18 months. In October 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and we went through a hell of a journey together. We have moved on so much - she is so much stronger and returning to her normal self. Her final treatment was in January, so it's still a recent memory, but we felt we were back on track.

We were to become very familiar with
the Wolverstone Ward (C) Ipswich Star

My recently diagnosed cancer is different and it will affect me in different ways. I'm very happy that there is no indication that I'll need chemotherapy (at the moment); I went to every one of Sheena's treatments, and although we tried to make them a positive experience, the physical, mental and long-term effects took a lot of getting over. For her, of course, but partially for me as observer too. Partners of loved ones going through chemo will know what I mean.

But I want to take you back to a moment that was pretty huge - when we first had the nature of Sheena's cancer confimred. We were taken into a family room, and sat down. A nurse entered, and left a bag by the vacant chair that faced us, and said she'd be right back. Sheena made a joke about seeing what was in it. In due course the nurse returned and told us the bad news, and also outlined what would happen next. This was so important for us - there was so much to take in, but the nurse was kind, patient and explained everything as clearly as she could.

(C) Little Lifts

At the end of the conversation, the nurse took the bag and gave it to Sheena. It was a box in a tote bag that said 'Little Lifts'. This was for Sheena, and provided by a local charity. The box contained many helpful items for someone who was going to have chemo - from an ice lolly mould (keeping the mouth cool helps), to little treats like chocolate and cordial. There was a soft plastic cutlery set (again for the sensitive mouth), and a number of other bits and pieces - all of which were a delight. Seemed odd to be getting a present for having cancer, but it did exactly what it said on the box, and gave Sheena a little lift at a difficult time.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to Little Lifts, they made a difference then, and are still doing so now for others. Cancer hasn't stopped because of Covid-19. If you get a chance, donate to your local cancer charity (or Little Lifts if you can). Thank you.

Useful links:
Little Lifts
Ipswich and Colchester Hospitals Blossom Appeal
Breast Cancer information
Bowel Cancer information

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In other news...

The plan for my treatment was originally indicated as surgery. But I spoke to my consultant today, and he has put me forward for radiotherapy.

Normally I'm sure surgery would have been the first step, but as there's a 5% chance of 'leakage' when they stitch your tubes back together, and that would mean a move to ICU, for now that kind of surgery is not first choice. I don't think I'm getting 'second choice' treatment though - my consultant has looked at my scans and decided on a treatment plan that will offer me the best treatment at the current time.

If in future I need surgery, so be it, but I am not too concerned. Although radiotherapy will have some effects, not the least of which will be making me tired, I am likely to recover much quicker than if I had surgery. So, apart from having a ray gun up my backside, things are looking OK.

Photo (C) Clkr.com

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So Sheena and I have been in lockdown for several weeks.
We decided to take a break...


 After our first attempt to get away, we had to try again.



Watch this space for future updates, including 'Postcards from the caravan'.

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Videographer: Sheena Stebbing

Desktop birdwatching

Working at home has some advantages, such as having my desk by the front window, next to the bird feeder. Today I put my camera on my desk, and thought I'd see what I might catch with a quick snap or two.

Here's some recent garden visitors:

Male greenfinch

Male chaffinch

Long tailed tit

Blue tit

Robin

George

Coal tit

Gus