Well, it has seemed a long time but my six and a half weeks of radiotherapy are completed. Apparently any side effects should peak in about a week's time and then it is just a gentle climb back... I have been able to get quite a bit of reading done waiting for broken machines to be mended. The machines are very sophisticated and high maintenance and I guess I don't want to hear the radiotherapists say 'well it's pointing in roughly the right direction'!
I have a final appointment with the radiologist at the end of August.
I have been very well but am feeling very tired just at present. There is grace for this too. My times are still in His hands.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
take it easy
I had never realised just how 'busy' being unwell could be. This morning I started with a visit to the local blood clinic for samples to be taken for further tests. Then a couple of hours later I had my daily visit to the radiotherapy unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Then just time for a brief bite of lunch and an emergency visit to the dentist for some attention...
At the radiotherapy centre they say "you will be tired, take it easy..."
Tell me about it! ;-)
At the radiotherapy centre they say "you will be tired, take it easy..."
Tell me about it! ;-)
Monday, 28 June 2010
half way through
Just a quick update. I am mid-way through my radiotherapy, 16/32 as they say here. All seems to be going well. I have not experienced much loss in energy and natural functions are fairly steady.
The treatment only takes about 5 minutes and most of that is getting me just in the right position. The radiotherapist constantly call out numbers to each other to ensure that I am just in the right spot for the treatment. One of the therapists today said, "you are really good at this. You are relaxed so it is easy to get you into position"
I didn't tell her my secret. I have had a mother, wife, four daughters and two granddaughters... I am used to being manipulated by the gentler sex!
The treatment only takes about 5 minutes and most of that is getting me just in the right position. The radiotherapist constantly call out numbers to each other to ensure that I am just in the right spot for the treatment. One of the therapists today said, "you are really good at this. You are relaxed so it is easy to get you into position"
I didn't tell her my secret. I have had a mother, wife, four daughters and two granddaughters... I am used to being manipulated by the gentler sex!
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
2 down, 30 to go
I have begun my course of radiotherapy. I have 32 sessions scheduled and have had the first two. The sessions themselves are painless, except for the waiting, but there are likely to be some side-effects in tiredness and some body functions. All is normal at present and I work on the principle that 'grace' is given 'in time of need', so I will not try to carry tomorrow's burdens with today's grace! Love to you all.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Three Tattoos
It has been a while and one or two folk have requested an update so here we go.
Progress has been steady and energy levels rising. This is all as expected. When folk see me they always comment as to how well I look. In fact I have retained my usual colouring throughout; I always look well, unless I am very tired. I sometimes think when the time comes for me to lie in my box someone is bound to say 'doesn't he look well'!
Yesterday I had a CT scan and three tattoos. These are tiny location points (no eagles or tigers!!) to help the alignment of the radiotherapy that is now scheduled to begin on 7th June. The radiotherapy course of treatment will be 5 days per week for 6 and a half weeks.
As the treatment progresses there is likelihood of various alterations in bodily functions; I won't embarrass you with the details but there is likely to be further dip in energy levels. We continue to look to the Lord for his hand on the whole process. Thank you to all who care and pray; we are in your debt but my Patron will surely repay it! Love to you all.
Progress has been steady and energy levels rising. This is all as expected. When folk see me they always comment as to how well I look. In fact I have retained my usual colouring throughout; I always look well, unless I am very tired. I sometimes think when the time comes for me to lie in my box someone is bound to say 'doesn't he look well'!
Yesterday I had a CT scan and three tattoos. These are tiny location points (no eagles or tigers!!) to help the alignment of the radiotherapy that is now scheduled to begin on 7th June. The radiotherapy course of treatment will be 5 days per week for 6 and a half weeks.
As the treatment progresses there is likelihood of various alterations in bodily functions; I won't embarrass you with the details but there is likely to be further dip in energy levels. We continue to look to the Lord for his hand on the whole process. Thank you to all who care and pray; we are in your debt but my Patron will surely repay it! Love to you all.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
a bit of a wipe out
I hadn't thought to be blogging here for a little while but I am just ending a week in bed with a heavy cold and mild bronchitis. Bronchitis can sometimes lead to pneumonia so my doctor has me on antibiotics and today is my first proper day 'up' since last Sunday.
We had a happy but busy weekend which included going to hear my 16 year old grand-daughter preaching at her church in nearby Bracknell. I was very blessed and impressed but very weary by the time we got home. I think my cold was already 'on the way' and my general weakness and the tiredness lowered my resistance even more... hence... a bit of a wipe out!
I am feeling much brighter today but am going to have to be more circumspect in my use of energy for a while I think. As ever the saints have rallied around providing lifts for my wife and daughter. We are blessed to be part of the family of God.
I have my first meeting with the radio-therapist this coming Wednesday. I think this is to talk through the procedures and formally pass me into the care of the radio-therapists. I am not expecting the treatment to begin for a few months but I should know a bit more on Wednesday. Again thank you for all your prayer.
We had a happy but busy weekend which included going to hear my 16 year old grand-daughter preaching at her church in nearby Bracknell. I was very blessed and impressed but very weary by the time we got home. I think my cold was already 'on the way' and my general weakness and the tiredness lowered my resistance even more... hence... a bit of a wipe out!
I am feeling much brighter today but am going to have to be more circumspect in my use of energy for a while I think. As ever the saints have rallied around providing lifts for my wife and daughter. We are blessed to be part of the family of God.
I have my first meeting with the radio-therapist this coming Wednesday. I think this is to talk through the procedures and formally pass me into the care of the radio-therapists. I am not expecting the treatment to begin for a few months but I should know a bit more on Wednesday. Again thank you for all your prayer.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Back from the appointment with my surgeon
The visit went well and I have a four page print out of Pathology and Radiology Reports which is a mass of terms I don't understand. It must be like this sometimes for my hearers when I am preaching! ;-)
I will send copies to some of my doctor friends together with this blog and if I have misunderstood some of the implications I will correct that later.
The radical surgery went well and my 20 inch scar is healing well. The surgeon removed the entire prostate and stripped some of the lymph nodes. It seems to me that the tumour was confined to the prostate (pT2 for those who understand these things). There was no vascular invasion and the lymph nodes did not contain tumour.
A super sensitive PSA gave a figure of 0.021 ug/L which is good. So they were very satisfied with that figure.
The cancer was confirmed as extremely aggressive which is why they have more plans for me. As far as I understand it the cancer reached to within 0.1mm of the margin of the prostate and although there is no sign of cancer outside the prostate this comes so close to the margins that they want to be sure that nothing is left. So my surgeon is recommending a course of radio-therapy to clean up anything that might be in that area! He refers to it as multi-modular treatment or 'belt and braces'. The radio-therapist will make the final recommendation but he general agrees with the surgeon.
The radio-therapist, whom I have not seen yet, thinks it will be best to leave 3-6 months while the continence issues are settling and will then probably do a 6.5 week course of radiotherapy for 5 days out of each 7. That could be anywhere from July to October.
The surgeon has recommended fresh liver and black pudding to beef up my blood counts which I am looking forward to although it seems I can't get them on prescription. (my surgeon originates in Bury Lancashire, which just happens to be the place that black-pudding originates. There may be a connection between those two facts!;-))
We went for a long walk along the Thames at Henley in the afternoon and though I was very tired when we got back that was a very pleasant outing.
So unless I have to correct any of the above there is likely to be little to report for the next few weeks. Again my thanks for everyone's love and prayer.
I will send copies to some of my doctor friends together with this blog and if I have misunderstood some of the implications I will correct that later.
The radical surgery went well and my 20 inch scar is healing well. The surgeon removed the entire prostate and stripped some of the lymph nodes. It seems to me that the tumour was confined to the prostate (pT2 for those who understand these things). There was no vascular invasion and the lymph nodes did not contain tumour.
A super sensitive PSA gave a figure of 0.021 ug/L which is good. So they were very satisfied with that figure.
The cancer was confirmed as extremely aggressive which is why they have more plans for me. As far as I understand it the cancer reached to within 0.1mm of the margin of the prostate and although there is no sign of cancer outside the prostate this comes so close to the margins that they want to be sure that nothing is left. So my surgeon is recommending a course of radio-therapy to clean up anything that might be in that area! He refers to it as multi-modular treatment or 'belt and braces'. The radio-therapist will make the final recommendation but he general agrees with the surgeon.
The radio-therapist, whom I have not seen yet, thinks it will be best to leave 3-6 months while the continence issues are settling and will then probably do a 6.5 week course of radiotherapy for 5 days out of each 7. That could be anywhere from July to October.
The surgeon has recommended fresh liver and black pudding to beef up my blood counts which I am looking forward to although it seems I can't get them on prescription. (my surgeon originates in Bury Lancashire, which just happens to be the place that black-pudding originates. There may be a connection between those two facts!;-))
We went for a long walk along the Thames at Henley in the afternoon and though I was very tired when we got back that was a very pleasant outing.
So unless I have to correct any of the above there is likely to be little to report for the next few weeks. Again my thanks for everyone's love and prayer.
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