The second batch of chemotherapy was not as easy as the first batch. The drugs were identical but of course back then I had only just started radiotherapy. By the time the second batch started I'd had four weeks of treatment and my body reacted very differently. Despite the drugs I did feel nauseated and there were some side effects.
Anyway, what's next? I've been scheduled for a treatment called Brachytheraphy next Monday. This involves inserting a nasal-gastric tube and dropping a radioactive pellet down it to irradiate the tumour from the inside. The radiotherapy I had irradiated from the outside. After that I'll have a further CAT scan and maybe a PET scan which will allow the surgeon to see what progress I've made.
Apparently, I'm looking at a mid-May timeframe for surgery. I hope they schedule me for the second half of May as my niece, and god daughter, is making her first holy communion in Brussels in mid-May and I'd like to be there even if it does involve being out of the country. I definitely want my parents to go but they'd probably want to stay in Dublin if I'm in hospital.
"inserting a nasal-gastric tube" Been there! It is a really weird sensation! For me they were using it to take stuff out of my stomach as opposed to your putting stuff in.
At least you are free - It works wonders for your mental health.
Still thinking of you.
D.
Posted by: Deirdre | March 21, 2006 at 07:49 PM
Great to hear that things are continuing to improve. Here's to well timed and, above all, successful, surgery!
Posted by: Brian | March 22, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Nice to hear you are home Dave.
J
Posted by: James | March 22, 2006 at 11:02 AM
Good to see that your treatment is progressing, Dave, and you're back at home. Best of luck with the next batch of treatments.
Posted by: Maura | March 22, 2006 at 04:12 PM
Good to see you out and blogging again. I was getting worried.
It was great to IM for a bit ..
Keep getting better!
howie
Posted by: Howie Modell | March 23, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Oh, I had that tube too - if they offer you sedation -
Take it!
- would be my advice. Of course I just wanted to get it over & done with & have a cigarette afterwards. If you can't be a good example, sigh, you'll have to be a terrible warning.
If no sedation: well, watching the images onscreen is at least distracting & strangely interesting. It's not painful, and I am a coward, really, it doesn't hurt. There are no nerves in there. Otherwise we'd know when we were really ill, let's face it.
All the best, so glad to hear you are out for a while : )
Now's a good time to visit the Botanic Gardens. Very few people, fields apart, easily avoided. Oh, those germ-laden people with their smug immune systems ; )
Posted by: Fiona | March 24, 2006 at 05:17 AM