Things are a little bit clearer for me now after the planning session for radio therapy today.
Actually the radio oncology clinic differs from some of the other outpatients and radiology clinics I've attended by actually seeing me at the appointed time.
First I was measured up, positioned & CT scanned so that the radio oncologist can plan map out the radiation doses for different parts of the tumour. I ended up with 5 little tattoos on my leg and pelvic area so that the RT staff know how to position me when I receive treatment.
RT begins in two weeks as I mentioned in an earlier post. I have to decide where I am going to stay or whether to commute daily. It appears that fatigue is usually a problem after a couple of weeks of RT.
I still can't get used to all the glum faces when people find out I have cancer or when doctors become conscious of the size of the tumour. The expression on their faces..... I feel quite ok just now and the few weeks rest have greatly helped.... life goes on and at least for the time being no need to be glum.
Also thanks to the people of have sent me emails or PM'd me on some of the FS forums, for your kind wishes.
regards
Rob
Monday 23 July 2007
Update
I might as well start posting... hopefully more frequently.
The last couple of weeks have been quiet, with no contact with the medical profession :) - the lull before the storm perhaps. Prior to that I had a PET Scan on my torso and a CT scan of my chest & abdomen. My GP contacted the hospital who informed him that PET scan had revealed that the cancer had not spread from the leg to my torso. (No mention of my neck however, where lymph nodes persist - the rest of my body was not scanned either.) I haven't received any information on the results of the CT scan. I am assuming that it was negative or I would have been told... I hope :)
Today I have a planning meeting at the radio-oncology clinic to plan my radiation therapy. Hopefully I will have a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
One of the radiation nurses did provide an answer to my questions over the phone last week. I have 5 weeks of radiotherapy starting on 8th of August. This is to make it easier for the surgeons to remove the tumour as the radio therapy more clearly defines the tumour. The RT also kills the periphery of the tumour, hopefully to make re-occurance less likely. It is a large mass, approximately 15cm according to one of the reports.
Following the 5 weeks of RT, I have been told I will have a 3 week break to recover prior to surgery. I have been told I will be in hospital from anywhere between a few days to 3 weeks. Then will follow 2 months of recovery & rehabilitation. It's the latter part that really worries given that I live by myself on Macleay where healthcare facilities are not as good as on the mainland. It will probably be late December or early January before I am able to return to work.
I'll post a bit more in the next couple of days after the planning session.
The last couple of weeks have been quiet, with no contact with the medical profession :) - the lull before the storm perhaps. Prior to that I had a PET Scan on my torso and a CT scan of my chest & abdomen. My GP contacted the hospital who informed him that PET scan had revealed that the cancer had not spread from the leg to my torso. (No mention of my neck however, where lymph nodes persist - the rest of my body was not scanned either.) I haven't received any information on the results of the CT scan. I am assuming that it was negative or I would have been told... I hope :)
Today I have a planning meeting at the radio-oncology clinic to plan my radiation therapy. Hopefully I will have a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
One of the radiation nurses did provide an answer to my questions over the phone last week. I have 5 weeks of radiotherapy starting on 8th of August. This is to make it easier for the surgeons to remove the tumour as the radio therapy more clearly defines the tumour. The RT also kills the periphery of the tumour, hopefully to make re-occurance less likely. It is a large mass, approximately 15cm according to one of the reports.
Following the 5 weeks of RT, I have been told I will have a 3 week break to recover prior to surgery. I have been told I will be in hospital from anywhere between a few days to 3 weeks. Then will follow 2 months of recovery & rehabilitation. It's the latter part that really worries given that I live by myself on Macleay where healthcare facilities are not as good as on the mainland. It will probably be late December or early January before I am able to return to work.
I'll post a bit more in the next couple of days after the planning session.
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