Hello all; my due & proper ration of 45Gy of radiation is now working its magic. I have felt little in the way of positive or negative side effects so far. The outcome of this treatment cannot be assessed until a new CT scan is done in early December. Until then I am in limbo. I have seen both the medical oncologist and radiation oncologist in the last few weeks. They are pleased with my easy toleration of radiation and my general condition...so am I.
Today Lynne & I attended the memorial service for Peter George Garas [1949-2009] who passed away recently from complications arising from gastro-oesophageal cancer. His blog on his cancer experience proved a guide and inspiration for me. RIP Peter and our thoughts go out to his wonderful wife Leanne.
Lynne and I will be off to New Zealand North Island for a two week holiday in November. I am travelling well.
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Links to interesting sites
Thursday, October 15, 2009
In limbo
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Treatment finished
Well folks, the five weeks course of radiation & chemotherapy is now over. My afternoons and my right pocket are now free!! No more visits to the radiation room & no more carrying around my chemo bottle. The routine of treatment has been more tiring than the physical effects. I have coped very well. No side effects. The moment of truth will come in a few months when a CT scan will reveal the results of the treatment. I feel good.
A huge thanks to my loving wife Lynne and all staff at Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology wards at TCH.
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Saturday, September 12, 2009
End of week four.
Week four of my radiation treatment has finished in the same anodyne manner as the previous three. There is nothing unpleasant to report. I take that as a good sign; I do not subscribe to the theory that you have to feel rotten for the treatment to be working effectively. There is no sense of me 'battling' cancer; I feel just fine and I have really only got one week left to feel any of the nasty side effects of treatment!!
I am feeling a touch thin, but my weight is holding steady.
Lynne has done her usual driving and chaperone duties for the week
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__2ve3UvXz7g/SqtF-w9GuxI/AAAAAAAABxw/tk0ERmvmBWY/s1600-h/IMG_1505.JPG
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Friday, September 4, 2009
Three weeks down
No known issues to report. Treatment continues in a routine way. Feel a tad tired at times, but no necessary link to treatment. The regular treatment sessions at the linear accelerator are interspersed with sessions where X-ray images are captured. No feedback yet on how treatment is progressing. Will see chemotherapy doctor on Monday. On Thursday I chose to travel door to door on the buses; that is 1h 30m each way! Compare that with 30m by car, so there is really no contest. Lynne drives me over quite often.
Weight is holding; blood counts are good...they have to be otherwise treatment would be suspended.
Picture of Varian Linear Accelerator http://www.varian.com/us/oncology/radiation_oncology/clinac/
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
Two weeks down...no known issues!!
Well folks, two weeks down and three to go. Nothing to report except complete harmony between radiation, chemotherapy and my body. Appetite normal, digestion normal, energy levels normal; no side reactions, no skin burning, no nausea, no hair loss.
The trips to the hospital radiation each day are a formality, a pleasant formality. Writing this post in the new blogger editing window, which feels quite seamless.
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Saturday, August 22, 2009
First week over.
Well, that's it. First 5 days of radiation now over, one week gone and four to go. No side effects, no symptoms, no discomfort. The facility and staff at radiation oncology are top notch. I quite look forward to my visits for some friendly chit chat. Saw a dietician and also review doctor yesterday, all rather routine. The review was looking at any side effects & how I was tolerating treatment. Since there was nothing to report the review was over in a microsecond!!
Canberra, Australia
snusher@gmail.com
Blog Archive
Peter and Lyndall at Cape Schanck, Victoria, June 2007
