V. CT scan for radiotherapy planning

Dear All

I hope this finds you well.

I always wondered what the look on my Mum’s face would be the day I told her I had tattoos. The ones provided for radiotherapy planning purposes were so tiny that I was unable to get much reaction from my Mum or my wife for that matter. I have heard this tattooing business does worry some folk facing radiotherapy and I would like to dispel any fears. Firstly, the marks are so small it is difficult to show them off and secondly they are no more painful than a quick scratch and certainly no more painful than the many blood samples that one has through during this whole process.

Yesterday my wife and I met with one of the radiotherapy team to plan for this upcoming treatment. We had a number of questions; some intelligent (my wife’s) and some pretty whacky and trivial (mine). The radiotherapist did a sterling job, patiently and with some skill, answering all the things we needed to know and smiling sympathetically at my cautious concerns. I had originally been told that I would receive 20 gray over 10 days and I had shared that a friend in clinical research had felt that a little low. He looked at my treatment plan which had been amended and I was now due for 30 gray over 15 days. My questions, as with the chemotherapy, focussed around the side effects and my potential to be productive at work and attending each day. Like the chemo each person reacts differently, but the main effect is tiredness. Not sure how that compares to the tiredness of having a small baby but I’ll take it over the nausea from chemo.

I have been feeling much better this week. Pretty much back to normal, cautiously keeping a low profile, working from home (which has helped keep me keep mentally active at least) and avoiding infection (like avoiding the splash zone when you see Shamu at Sea World).

So this Friday I shall visit the nurse to have bloods following the chemotherapy to check my white blood cell count. I’ve just learnt of a further CT scan on Monday evening (diagnostic, I understand) and then the start of radiotherapy on Wednesday 6th. I admire the speed and efficiency of NHS through this process.

Thank you for the very kind messages regarding this blog and for the superb prayer support, it has kept me very positive indeed.

Best wishes

Stuart