Radiation Therapy - Week Three

DAY ONE

Today I arrived at the hospital to find that treatment would be late. This allowed me to have extra time with the Radiation Oncologist's Registrar - the former was on leave. The regular weekly review is very important for many reasons, chief among them (for me) is that such such sessions allow me to ask as many questions as i like!

Unlike last week, I was prepared this week with a list of question that I had written down - taken essentially from the (hand written) diary that I keep. This diary is also the source of much of what appears on this blog. I find keeping the diary invaluable, as these days I can't rely on my memory - one of the side effects of the treatment I'm on!

In case you're interested, here is this week's list of questions:

1. A reminder (to the doctor) that I should have had a 'liver function test' weeks ago! This I knew ONLY because of my own research! Oh ... ah ... YES let's do that today. (The pathology request was marked URGENT). When you have no 'Case Manager' looking at your treatment from a 'holistic perspective', your treatment can suffer; as the various specialists tend to focus (mostly) upon their own field of expertise - therefore 'things' can be missed!


2. What can I do about the increased fatigue and subsequent breathlessness? I'm afraid there's not much we can do about that. But you should begin to tolerate that portion that can be attributed to the Radiation in about another week or so.


3. What about the 'confusion and memory loss'? You have so much 'on your plate' right now; it's no wonder you suffer a bit in this area!


4. My weight gain (9kg) concerns me is there anything you can suggest? I'm afraid not ... it goes along with the treatment ... particularly the Hormone Treatment.


5. In that case would you think that seeing a Nutritionist is advisable? Yes ... I think this is an excellent idea. I'll ring through now to obtain an appointment.


6. Night time urinations have actually increased despite being prescribed 'Flomaxtra'? We might have to double your dosage. My research tells me that Flomaxtra doesn't really kick in for about 7 days; and since this is day 7, would you suggest we wait another week? Yes that would be very sensible.


7. I am currently on holidays do you think I'll be up to a return to work on the 16 April - in the middle of my Radiation Treatment? We'll really have to wait and see ... but if we feel you're not ready (for work) I would be happy to write you a certificate to that affect.


8. Would one month after my treatment finishes be too soon to fly overseas - to live? Again we really need to wait and see, but I would imagine that that would be fine.


9. I'll be on the LHRH Analogues for 2-3 years ... will I need to be on the Anti-agonist that long as well? (My research said YES). I'm afraid so ... but I'm sure that you'll be fine.


10. I have had a bout of the 'flu for a week now, is it OK to take some cold and 'flu tablets to relieve the symptoms until the virus is defeated? Yes, that'll be OK.

With pathology request in hand, I then went in search of my favourite nurse - Nurse Judy. Not only was she able to point me in the right direction, she was also able to 'take the blood'. Mission accomplished! I then felt that we were getting somewhere.

Now off to my Radiation Treatment ... I'll ask if they're ready for me yet!

Oh, I almost forgot ... I was finally given my actual 'staging result' today - after repeated requesting.

The result ... T3N0M0. In order to understand this result better, my next post will seek to explain what 'staging' means in relation to Prostate Cancer.