February 23rd 2021 - Waiting for the Enema

Well, I am now five sessions into the radiotherapy out of the twenty planned so twenty five percent completed.  I am sitting here waiting for the enema to work which has now become part of the daily ritual. That and getting my bladder in perfect condition weigh heavily every morning before I dash down the motorway to Velindre for my treatment.

The treatment itself remains painless but it is a little wearing having to go down to Cardiff five times a week. I should be glad that it is only a twenty minute or so drive I suppose.

The side effects of the treatment are manageable. It is a little more difficult to urinate especially when I get up in the night. I also think I am a little more fatigued. This may be due to the extra timber I am carrying as a result of the hormone treatment as well as any effect from the radiotherapy. I do walk for an hour or so early in the morning and lately it has felt like I am carrying a sack of coal on my back. My forty press-ups have become much more challenging but I am still able to complete them in one go so things cannot be that bad. I long to be able to go for a swim but that is not likely for the foreseeable future because of this wretched pandemic.

This does make it all feel miserable but it is not that bad really. The next three weeks will be over soon enough.

February 17th 2021 - I Go Radioactive

I am officially radioactive! Yesterday I had my first session of radiotherapy. I had got myself a little uptight about managing my bladder and using the enema before the session. As it turned out it was OK. I used the enema about half an hour before I set off for Velindre and it produced the desired effect. I needed to drink two plastic cups of water half an hour before the session on an empty bladder. I turned up early and drank the water in the car in the car park. The system being used due to Covid is that you give reception a call to say you are in the car park and then they call you back when they are ready to receive you so that worked out well.

The procedure itself was relatively straightforward. The biggest challenge seems to be getting you positioned just right on the table which takes a bit of time. Once that has been done then the actual radiotherapy only takes 5-10 minutes and is completely painless. Of course, you have to keep still which might be a challenge for some but I did not find it difficult. The two ladies operating the machine were charming and efficient and quickly put my mind at ease.

I have not had any noticeable side-effects so far but of course it is early days. So that is one down nineteen to go. The second session should be easier now I know what to expect.

February 10th 2021 - Negative COVID 19 Test so on the Radiotherapy next Week

Yesterday I had a COVID 19 test prior to the next stage of my prostate cancer treatment. I am pleased to say the test came back negative so it is all systems go for the radiotherapy next week.