Week 6 of Radiotherapy + Two Days Extra
Week 6 was always going to be the toughest. The cumulative effects of the radiation treatment were bound to be at their highest. In my head this was the final week and final countdown, but I now have the two extra days next Monday and Tuesday. Although that doesn’t sound like it’s too much extra, the thought of leaving on Friday and having yet another weekend knowing I must return, is a real struggle. The tablets for nausea have certainly helped and I have now stopped feeling sick all the time. It does still come over me in waves but it isn’t constant. I tend to feel really ill as I enter the hospital, with the nausea and dry mouth causing me to gag constantly. I think this is more anxiety, fear and apprehension as any physical cause. The tablets that I am taking for this are steroids. You receive a card with your tablets that you should show your doctor saying that you must come off them gradually. Monday 10th November – Day 26 of Radiotherapy Usual Monday morning seeing the head and neck nurse, swallow/throat nurse, and the oncologist. I really enjoy seeing the nurses as they give me a real lift for the week, they fully understand how you feel and offer great advice. Whatever your needs they can find a solution and offer you practical ways to get through the days. Although it was technically my last week they offered me the chance to see them again the following Monday. I jumped at the offer to see them one last time, their support has certainly helped me get this far. I saw the oncologist (Mr Davies) for the last time. He is a very easy going and laid back man. He makes you feel incredibly comfortable and relaxed. Again he is very willing to offer solutions to any pains or illnesses. There is no debating whether you need extra drugs, they are offered immediately. His relaxing manner did catch me out again though and I managed another Freudian slip. Calling him ‘Doc’ once again! Tuesday 11th November – Day 27 of Radiotherapy Every day Kerry sits and watches me walk off down a corridor for my treatment. She hears talking and noise and then when the radiographers leave she sits and watches the ‘Beam On’ sign light up. When she sees this and hears the beam, Kerry knows I am going through this awful treatment. For Kerry that has been one of the hardest parts. Over the last 6 weeks I have obviously built up a rapport with the radiographers and today I was a bit cheeky and asked if Kerry could come in and have a look/take some photos. As always they were more than happy to oblige. Kerry and I knew this was our best opportunity as both machines were undergoing their regular maintenance checks. This meant that all of the patients receiving treatment that weren’t for’ head and neck’ had a day off. The waiting room was almost empty. Kerry managed to get some great pictures of me with my mask, the machine and me in position for treatment. It meant that she had a much better understanding of what happened behind the corridor. It helped her to feel more at ease and I wish we had done it several weeks earlier. The only caveat to the photos was that none of the staff should appear in the photos. (Photos below this blog page). Wednesday 12th November – Day 28 of Radiotherapy The countdown began. I gave out a big cheer after my treatment. Only 4 more treatments to go, 2 of which I have been told will be shorter and less harsh. I can really see the light. Thursday 13th November – Day 29 of Radiotherapy My daughter has been away working a lot but was home for a week. She had been up Wednesday to see me and had said she would come to the hospital with me today, Friday and on my last day. This was a lovely treat for me and some company for Kerry in the waiting room. I gave another roar at the end of treatment – 3 to go! Friday 14th November – Day 30 of Radiotherapy I had some mixed emotions today. On one hand it was the end of the treatment that I had been having for six weeks, but on the other I still had to endure another weekend knowing that I would return to Poole Hospital on the Monday. It was great to have Sharna here again. Monday 17th November – Day 31 of Radiotherapy – The Best Laid Plans (and all that) Over the weekend two of my close friends had offered to take me to the hospital this week. Kerry and I turned down the offers as Kerry desperately wanted to be there for the last few days. I also wanted her there as I wouldn’t feel obliged to make conversation and wouldn’t feel awkward if I started gagging in the car etc. However Kerry was taken ill on Monday morning. She tried her best to get up and get ready but there was no way she was fit enough to drive me all the way to Poole and back. Because the decision was so last minute I decided it was too late to ask anyone else and drove myself. I kept it quiet from the nurses as I don’t think they would have been best pleased. That evening my best friend Jason came round again. He has been fantastic all the way through my treatment, visiting me several times a week and talking to me about football, politics, life, Portland and generally anything other than Cancer. His visits have given me a lift throughout. Tonight he said that he was off work tomorrow and would be at the hospital for my last treatment. Tuesday 18th November – Day 32 of Radiotherapy – My Last Day To say I was emotional would be an understatement. I have stayed strong throughout the last six months. Although there have been moments when I have cried/let down my guard, I certainly always tried to maintain a ‘stiff upper lip’. Today was different. I had Kerry, Jason and my daughter with me. I could feel the love and the willingness for me to complete my treatment. I have made some good friends amongst the other patients in the waiting room. We all share a common bond – we all have cancer. Despite our different backgrounds we could all empathise with each other. It was emotional to be leaving them behind. As I walked down the treatment corridor for the final time I was already starting to feel very emotional. I could feel tears running down my face as they bolted me to the table one last time. In my head I was thinking ‘I hope the tears don’t effect the treatment to the side of my face’. 45 seconds later and it was over. I cheered for joy as they removed my mask for the final time. I put on my clothes and walked back down the corridor to my waiting family and friends. I was overcome with emotion and collapsed on the nearest chair sobbing with relief that it was finally over. Words failed me as I tried to compose myself. Over the last 6 weeks two of the radiographers had really stood out to me in their mannerisms, willingness to listen/help, and their general compassion. Both were there today and I got to thank them personally for all their help. I say I thanked them; it was more like a baby sobbing in their arms as I hugged them! My six weeks of treatment were over. Although I never had to return to Poole for treatment I still have a long way to go in my recovery. The radiation will not peak in my system for another ten days and then after that I will start to slowly recover. But for now I will celebrate the end of the treatment. It has been a personal trial that I would not like to repeat again. This was a quick video that i did with only 5 treatments to go. Unfortunately the memory card ran out half way through. I didnt realise and continued talking to a blank screen for several more minutes that were never recorded! ha ha
I think this year may have aged me slightly! Week 5 of Radiotherapy Monday 3rd November – Day 21 of Radiotherapy The week as always started with a visit to the oncologist/head and neck nurse/throat and swallowing nurse and the dietician. They were all happy with my progress and happy that my side effects had remained reasonably controlled. Week 5 and 6 were always going to be the most difficult and when the side effects like Mucositis take full effect. Kerry and I couldn’t help but laugh when we saw the oncologist. I had a Freudian slip and started calling my oncologist Dr Davies ‘Doc’. It just slipped out ‘So what is the next steps doc?’ The second I said it I thought ‘why did I just call him ‘doc’, that’s a bit inappropriate’. Kerry and I both laughed and Dr Davies, as professional as ever just laughed and said ‘I don’t mind being called doc.’ It was like a trigger in my head, initiating a Tourette’s like response. I must have called him ‘doc’ three times in about ten minutes and the more I said it the more we all laughed! I apologised to Dr Davies as I left but he said that considering what I am going through calling him ‘doc’ was the least to worry about. The great thing about seeing these professionals on a Monday morning is that if you have any symptoms of pain/mucositis or discomfort they can offer you new drugs to control the uneasiness. I left the hospital with a whole new carrier bag of medication. Thursday 6th November (my birthday) – Day 24 of Radiotherapy This was the first birthday without my mum being able to call. It was a very emotional start to the morning. Since last Friday I have been suffering with nausea. I had been given some tablets that I was taking 3 times a day but they were having little effect. I had mentioned it yesterday to the radiology team and when I arrived today they were preparing a new prescription for me. As it was a Thursday I was meant to be having scans taken as well as treatment (longer in the mask). During the walk from the car to the treatment area I had stopped to be nearly sick about 3 times, I was gagging at any smells and when I tried to swallow. When I explained this to the radiotherapy team they agreed to postpone my scans till Friday. We also said goodbye to one of the regulars at the treatment room ‘the book man’. He was a lovely guy that we spoke to most days. He had been having double treatments and had finished today. It was mixed emotions as it was disappointing that we would not be seeing him again, but excited happiness that he didn’t have to return. The ‘treatment gang’ have become very close. I next had to visit the dental hygienist to make sure that my gums, teeth and oral hygiene was ok. He was pleased with my progress and asked me to keep doing what I’m doing. There was some compromise to be had between taking sticky oral medical mouth washes and keeping teeth clean. He said keeping me comfortable were the most important thing for now and that I will need a long term oral strategy for the minimum of 5 years and some for life. We then went back to collect the prescription and wait at the pharmacy. All in all it was a long tiring day, not a birthday like any other. My taste buds are all over the place now. I have difficulty tasting and enjoying anything. Add to this nausea and food is not easy. Today was my ‘special birthday tea’, and I could have anything I wanted. I chose roast potatoes with gravy and mint sauce (nothing else)!!! Kerry and the kids brought me a cake and sang happy birthday. Jacob went above and beyond his duties and watched Spurs win in Europe, followed by my Gazza 50 greatest moments DVD and then I retired to watch Tom Cruise in Cocktail. My dad called from Ireland and we had a great chat. With everything considered it was a very nice evening indeed. Friday 7th November – Day 25 of Radiotherapy Another long day at hospital. I had to go up early to have some extra scans completed. These were so that they could plan my extra two treatments on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th. Both these extra scans and the ones I missed yesterday were done in my mask. It’s really not pleasant, especially when your mouth is bone dry and you feel nauseas. I now have only 7 treatments to go. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. As from Wednesday next week I will be really counting down. As from Wednesday it will be my last ever Wednesday and then last ever Thursday etc. The effects are cumulative and they expect them to peak at about ten days after the final treatment. Then I can start the long road to recovery and will hopefully be able to enjoy Christmas with the family and friend. I thank everyone with all my heart for your support and well wishes over the last 6 months. Your backing has allowed me to get through the dark days and get this far. I still have a way to go but I feel confident now that I will make it and defeat this deathly, debilitating, awful disease. Big Love To Everyone Dave x A Tough Start to Week 4
Monday 27th October - Day 16 When I arrived at Poole Hospital on Monday morning I had a more determined stride, 15 treatments completed and 15 to go. After today the countdown was truly on. There were familiar faces in the waiting area and when I got called through to the treatment room I was ready for what the week could offer. That was until I got talking with the radiographers “15 down, 15 to go” I said. The reply caught me out ‘Oh no, you’re not quite halfway yet. You have 17 still to go. You’ll be halfway after Wednesday.” “Halfway after Wednesday?” What could the radiographer mean? The radiographer explained that I was down for 30 ‘normal’ treatments and also two extra ‘boosters’ that would happen on the Monday and Tuesday the week AFTER I thought my treatments were finishing. My treatment is now due to finish on the 18th November and not the 14th. Over the last couple of months people had mentioned 32 treatments but my appointment times only show up to the 14th November, I had assumed that the ‘boosters’ happened within that time. Psychologically it was a real kick in the proverbials and not the start to the week that I had envisaged! For four days running I had CT scans done before my treatment. This is significant to me as I have to spend much longer in the mask. My next meeting was with the dietician/head neck support nurse/throat/swallow nurse. They were all happy with my progress but suggested that I move on to stronger medication for my sore throat and ulcers. The key is to keep me able to eat as long as possible. The worst case scenario is if I stop being able to eat and drink and have to be fed through a tube in my stomach. It is information like that which keeps me motivated to endure my exhaustive oral health regime. Friday 31st October (Halloween) – Day 20 The rest of my week basically involved getting up and getting ready to go to Poole for treatment. Once I return, I go straight to bed and sleep in the afternoon. This allows me to get up and enjoy some of the meals that we are having delivered and spend some time with the family in the evening. Friday was slightly different as my friend’s dad kindly took me up to Poole, so that Kerry could prepare for our Halloween open house. When the meal train was first mentioned to our friends we wanted to have an evening that we could offer something back to everyone who has supported us through this journey. I went to bed as normal and slept for a few hours whilst Kerry added the final touches. On Thursday I had felt ill with nausea all evening and doubted whether I would make the open house. However the radiographers had prescribed me some sickness tablets this morning and they took effect very quickly. I came downstairs about 5.30 and spent 4 hours with friends and family, until the final guest left about 9.30. The open house was amazing. We were blessed with many, many visitors. Most of who came in fancy dress. Best of all were all the children who came and enjoyed the evening. Kerrys efforts were amazing, the food, the decorations, and the perfect hostess. For a few hours I managed to forget about cancer. The side effects are starting to take effect and I now have 12 treatments to go, but that is 20 treatments completed. The open house gave me a great lift and I feel ready for the final 3rd of the treatment. We always knew that weeks 5 and 6 are potentially the worst but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. After Wednesday I will be on single figures, and that will be another big psychological lift. What a difference a week makes! At the end of the second week I started googling ‘Radiotherapy side effects head and neck’. I discovered that although you cannot prevent the side effects of radiotherapy, there were precautions you could take to lessen the effects. The most important actions you could take were to undertake an exhaustive regime of oral cleanliness. Not only could this lessen the short term effects, it was also important in my long term after care. The one mouth wash that had medical evidence to lessen impact was called Benzydamine Hydrochloride. I checked through my many, many medications and there was a bottle of Benzydamine Hydrochloride (Difflam). The evidence in the medical report had said that use of Difflam in the early stages had a definite effect in lessening the impact of ‘mucositis’ (the main side effect of radiotherapy in head and neck treatment). There it was in black and white – I had the answer there in my medicine cupboard. I had the one medication that could lessen effects. This gave me a tremendous lift. I went straight upstairs and gargled with the Difflam as instructed, and have been doing so 3 times a day since. I finally felt like I had a small bit of control back. Day 11 - Monday 20th October This was always going to be a difficult day as it would have been my mums 69th birthday. After a tough start thinking about my mum, I got into the car for the first time in a while without saying to Kerry, ‘I don’t want to go.’ The journey turned out to be fun. We laughed about a number of situations, something that we hadn’t managed for a few weeks. After my treatment we got to see my oncologist. I was armed with a number of pertinent questions following my weekends study. The answers that I got filled me with even more confidence going forward. My level of radiation treatment and the area that it was being treated meant that I was very unlikely to suffer the very worst effects of mucositis (namely severe swelling and ulcers of throat leading to feeding tubes in stomach). Again this was positive news that made me feel even more empowered. I received some new medication for other side effect of mucositis (mouth infections like thrush). The next stop was to see the dietician, neck/swallow nurse and my cancer support nurse. They were all very happy with my progress. They gave me a ‘soft diet’ booklet, in case things changed. Day 12 – Tuesday 21st October I had another positive day. We saw the gentleman from Wyke who was undergoing similar treatment to me. We hadn’t seen him for a week and were worrying that maybe the treatment had got too much. It was great to see him there. Day 13, 14 ad 15 – Wednesday 22nd, Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th October I really managed to get into the groove this week. I had two different friends take me up on the Wednesday and Thursday. This was good to give Kerry a break and also good for me to moan and feel sorry with some new people! I had a massage to my calves and feet on Wednesday from the complimentary therapy team, which was very relaxing and enjoyable. On Thursday I was due to have some scans taken, but was delighted to find out that they didn’t need to take them that day (it means much longer in the mask). However the machine threw a wobbly and I ended up having scans and waiting in the mask longer as they adjusted and reset the machine. I even had to have the mask removed and placed on again several times. The radiology team also informed me that because of the error of alignment with the machine that I would need images taken Friday and Monday as well. Even this didn’t manage to dampen my good mood this week. Friday saw me reach an important landmark of 15 treatments completed. That’s now half way. My whole mood this week was so much better than the previous two weeks. I feel like I have some control of my destiny over the next two months. The daily oral routines are exhaustive and confusing but very much worth doing. I feel mentally much stronger. The physical side effects are still there with my face burning, my throat hurting, swallowing becoming increasingly difficult and my body feels tired, but I feel in control of how bad the symptoms will become. As I write this on Sunday night I have now noticed that my facial hair on the right side of my face has now fallen out, and a small bit of hair by my ear. It’s yet another side effect that seems set to challenge my resolve. I can honestly say that I am ready for the challenge of the next 3 weeks. The first week was about finding highs and lows. As I started week 2 my morale and mental strength was at rock bottom. I told Kerry that I didn’t want to continue with the highs and lows as there were no highs. Everything is relevant though and as the week went on I found solace in the smallest ‘wins’.
I must describe my treatment first before I start week 2 of my diary. I go into the treatment room where there is a medical table, surrounded by the £1million machine. I remove my tops and lie on the table. I place my legs over a support (I think just for comfort). Next the radiographers chat with me briefly about what they are doing for my treatment that day. My mask is then placed over my head and I shuffle about until I am in place and then my mask is bolted down. The mask is pressed very tightly around my face, neck and shoulders. I am unable to open my eyes as the mask presses down on them. Normally I can feel very gentle touches on the mask as the radiographers place markers on the mask and call out coordinates as they position the machine correctly. Some days I have to have CT scans taken to check that I am positioned correctly. This means substantially longer in the mask and can take five to ten minutes. This isn’t done every day but did happen on my first four days and then once a week for the remainder. After the photos (if needed) they return to the room and make final adjustments for my treatment. I cannot see anything that’s happening around me but I can hear the safety gate opening and closing as they leave or enter the room. My treatment only lasts a matter of seconds. My first shot of radiation lasts about 13 seconds and is accompanied by a very bright light than shines through my closed eye lids. You then hear some movement of the machine before the longest 17 second blast comes. This is the blast that also comes with a pungent sickly smell. The third blast must be aimed at the side of my head, towards the back as I don’t see the bright light on this one. It lasts for another 13 seconds. In total Kerry and I have counted that I only actually receive 43 seconds of actual radiation treatment a day. Day 6 – Monday 13th October 2014 After a terrible weekend of worry I started a fresh new week. Our first task was our now weekly, Monday, meeting with the dietician, a specialist in neck/mouth/swallowing, and a head and neck cancer nurse. A lot of the meeting was about my general welfare and how I was coping. I had a few tears as I was explaining that I wasn’t coping well and I was worrying all the time. They were encouraged that I was still eating normal food. I was offered counselling and further support. It’s something that I will definitely consider. They also offered support for Kerry if she needed it. Day 7 – Tuesday 14th October 2014 The challenge of forcing me to get to the hospital was truly immense. I would have given anything not to go. I can only describe the experience every day as Being asked to go and stand near a furnace on day 1. On day two you return and they say that every day you must stand one inch closer. But I am thinking ‘hold on that’s already burning where I was stood yesterday’. That’s my best way of describing how my mind is thinking every day – I really don’t want to go as it hurts, it stings, it makes me feel sick, my mouth is dry, all food taste s awful, my mouth and face are swelling, and the results get cumulatively worse every day. Mentally this is like torture! When I entered the radiography room I managed to have a chat with them about some of my concerns. One of my main worries was how ‘sunburnt’ my face was feeling and how I was worried what another 23 treatments would feel like. The radiographer was surprised that I was shaving every other day and suggested that shaving less would leave my face less sore. This was my first small ‘high’ for the week. All of the literature talks about the need to use an electric razor to shave. I had gone and bought myself one and assumed I needed to be using it regular. Whilst I was on a role I also mentioned the foul smell that I get when the second 17 second beam goes on. It’s hard to describe the smell other than to say it’s not very nice. It is that smell that I get when food is cooking etc., this is the smell that is making my feel nauseas. I explained that I was worried it was the smell of ‘burning flesh’. The radiographer calmed me and said that it was ‘ozone’. So of course I looked it up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone Just knowing that the pungent smell wasn’t anything horrendous, it helped me to relax more during the treatment. Day 8 – Wednesday 15th October 2014 A strange day as it was my first time travelling up without Kerry. My good friend who had played a lot of football with over the years took me up. My friend had lost his first wife at the age of 35 to cancer and had made this trip many times with her. It couldn’t have been easy for him to take me, and I am very grateful for his help and support on the day. I think that going with someone else may have helped as I didn’t want to cause them any fuss. So I went straight down and had the treatment. I didn’t feel great in the car on the way home so we decided to head straight back instead of our scheduled stop along the way. I went straight to bed when I got home. Day 9 – Thursday 16th October 2014 One of the head radiographers spent a good 15 minutes chatting with me before today’s treatments. I got to chat with her about most of my concerns and how I wasn’t sleeping, the pain etc. This chat really helped. I was told to up my medication and also take them more regular. The night before I googled radiotherapy side effects and discovered that radiotherapy to the head and neck was very severe and caused a debilitating side effect called Mucositis. This is only seen in patients who receive chemotherapy or radiation to the neck. http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/pdf/mucositis.pdf Day 10 – Friday 17th October 2014 I have now got into a bit of a routine when I return home from the treatment. I take my painkillers, cover my face in aqueous cream and head straight up to bed. I have been sleeping for 3 hours in the afternoon and then getting up to have some of the lovely meals that have been delivered. It’s not great but it is helping me to cope. The next 4 weeks look like a marathon of time and I have to say that it scares me beyond belief. I have never been so anxious in my life. Kerrys support has been fantastic every day. I tend to drive up and Kerry drives back as I normally start to get tired by Dorchester on the way home. On Friday evening I did a lot more reading on mucositis and have convinced myself that there are ways to combat the effects. You cannot stop them but you can lessen the impact. The main way is to follow a very strict dental hygiene regime. This is why my teeth were removed before the treatment started. It would be impossible to keep those teeth at the back sufficiently clean. Maybe I was naïve, maybe it was lack of real knowledge or maybe I was fooling myself. I had no idea how severe having radiotherapy to the head and neck really was. When I was first diagnosed with cancer back in July, my assigned Cancer Nurse told us that it would ‘knock me for six. But I am young, fit and healthy, so the treatment won’t hit me as hard as others. I had survived 3 operations in 9 weeks (and a week of chronic mouth ulcers) – how bad could radiotherapy be? This is my account of the first week (out of 6) of radiotherapy. Week 1, Kerry and I kept a daily highs and lows. Day 1 - Monday 6th October Dave High – Meeting the other people in the waiting room, many of whom were also starting their journey on the same day and whom I am sure will become good friends over the next 6 weeks. I also attended the monthly evening session for About-Face in Poole. Here I heard some very emotional testimonies from others who have already completed their treatment. It was very inspiring. https://www.facebook.com/AboutFacePoole Kerry High – The support that we were both given by the others in the waiting room, both patients and family members. Dave and Kerry Low – Before Kerry and i had even had our guided tour we were taken to a ‘private room’, where we were told off for videoing my mask fitting two weeks earlier. Apparently the video contravened hospital policy. We were a bit taken aback as we had sought permission from everyone in the video before recording the procedure. NB: On reflection I think that the medical staff who fitted my mask didn’t understand fully what a ‘blog’ was and that they had thought the video would be for private use only. The video was reluctantly taken down by me, although it’s a real shame as it tells an important part of the story. Kerry Low – Watching Dave disappear down the corridor for his treatment, watching the ‘beam in progress’ sign lighting up, and the wait for Dave’s return. Day 2 – Tuesday 7th October Dave High – After treatment I took Kerry over to the About-Face building. We spent an hour with some very inspirational people who have survived head and neck cancer. Kerry High – Watching Dave stand up and virtually run into the treatment room all positive, stripping off his top as he went, all ready for action. Dave and Kerry Low – After Dave’s treatment finished the radiographer came out and asked us to wait in a room as she wanted to speak with us about some of the internal photos they were taking. The lady said ‘don’t worry; it’s nothing to concern yourselves about!’ I’ve heard statements like this a few times over the last few months. I went to the toilet and had my head in my hands, worrying what they had found on the photos. When we did meet with the nurse, it really was nothing to worry about, just some adjustments in the appointments ahead. But the ten minutes wait in the room on our own was very nerve wracking considering the year we’ve had. Day 3 – Wednesday 8th October Wednesday was a very difficult day. Only two days in and I was already feeling sick. My head was pounding and my face was burning. It was starting to dawn on me the 6 week journey ahead. I had a few tears in the front room at home, ‘I don’t want to go!’ This was not a good sign, only two days into a 30 day treatment. I was convinced that the medical team had said the side effects would not kick in till week 4, after 20 treatments. How could I feel ill already? The treatment is cumulative and you feel progressively worse as time goes on. If I feel this poorly after 2 days how is it possible to go 30 days? Dave High – My work colleague Bill Buchan, who is the first to help anyone, had forgotten to bring up our ‘bring them a meal’, the night before. Bill had been in London with work and got his dates mixed up. Once he realised he came up with various cakes and treats this morning. Bills support and encouragement helped me to get in the car to go to Poole. Kerry High – A tough day watching Dave’s morale drop so quick. He is normally so positive. The knowledge that we were returning to a cooked meal helped take off all the pressure and allowed me to concentrate on supporting Dave. Dave and Kerry Low – Meeting an elderly gentleman at Poole Hospital who was alone and travelling over an hour on two busses daily for his treatment. He was looking at 8 weeks that wouldn’t finish till nearly December. I took that as a wakeup call to not be so ‘sorry for myself’. Day 4 – Thursday 9th October Dave High – I enjoyed some complimentary treatments at Poole Hospital. I had a foot and hand massage which helped to relax me before the treatment. Kerry High – Dave got up with the kids this morning which allowed me to have a lie in. Dave Low – I am not sleeping very well and keep waking up with nightmares, mostly about the treatment and the 5 weeks ahead. I was feeling really poorly today. Kerry Low – It rained all day Day 5 – Friday 9th October Dave High – Each day in the waiting room we are meeting the same people. All of us are in difficult situations. We are starting to build a rapport. We’re all supporting each other through this difficult time. Kerry High – That’s 1 week completed. Today we travelled back through Sandbanks, Studland and Corfe Castle. Dave Low – The week was so difficult. The treatment is painful, I am feeling sick every day and I now my whole body feels drained. This is week 1, only 5 days in, a sixth of the way! I am struggling and I am scared and I feel sick with worry. I don’t know how I can physically or mentally do this!? Kerry Low – Dave had a bit of road rage today. It is not like him to react the way he did. I think the stress is starting to show. My Week – Life, Relaxation, Poole Hospital, HANDS, About-Face, Sandbanks and Bring Them a Meal5/10/2014 My Week – Life, Relaxation, Poole Hospital, HANDS, About-Face, Sandbanks and Bring Them a Meal It’s been a strange week, a week where I only had one visit to Poole Hospital (more about that later). This gave me time to think, reflect and relax. The previous week had shaken me up a bit, recovering from chronic mouth ulcers, learning to eat with slightly less teeth and worst of all, the radiotherapy mask fitting. When given time to reflect you start to remember that all of the other worldly worries in life have not gone away. The kids still have worries with school, friends, work, and college. Portland United Youth, the football club that’s been my life for the last 15 years still needs week to week involvement. No relationship is perfect and those niggles are still there, I still leave the toilet seat up when I am not supposed to, and I still breathe too heavy when I’m concentrating! Bills still need paying. Life does carry on around you! It’s been nice, as I have felt well enough to have friends come round to visit and I have been able to get out and get some fresh air and feel ‘normal’. On Saturday I went to Weymouth with a couple of good friends and we made a pact at the beginning of the day, I was not to talk about cancer, my friend was not to talk about his recent marriage split and my other friend who became single last November was not allowed to talk about how much fun he was having at the moment! In the week I paid a visit to the APPLES project, which Bill and I had helped, set up over the last year in our job roles as a Community Organisers. This was great to see the progress they had made on a shoestring budget. It was incredibly relaxing spending some time surrounded by positive people, 25 chickens and a handful of ducks. https://www.facebook.com/AllPortlandPeopleLearningEcologicalSolutions?fref=ts Since I was taken ill, Mark Franklin has taken over the management of the Under 14s football team. He is also running the Under 6’s and it was great to go and watch both teams training. It’s always very exciting to see the new teams forming and also to see how far those who remain committed can progress. https://www.facebook.com/1PUYFC?fref=ts Poole Hospital, HANDS and About-Face On Thursday I had to attend Poole Hospital to speak with the dental hygienist. The radiotherapy will take its toll on my neck, throat, tongue and mouth. Good oral hygiene is pivotal to keeping the side effects as manageable as possible. Over the last few months you start to realise how much support there is for people suffering with cancer. The support, care and love available are remarkable. Whilst I was in Poole on Thursday I attended both HANDS and About Face. About-Face is a group that was set up by my specialist Dr Ilankovan and they meet every Tuesday and Thursday at a building they own opposite Poole Hospital. The building is fitted out with meeting areas, training rooms (for Ilankovans students), relaxing areas, counselling rooms, a kitchen and toilets. It’s an area that Kerry, myself or anyone connected with us can use whilst I am undergoing treatment. We can go there and speak to others who are currently going through treatment and many other volunteers who are there to support. There is also some limited parking space that we can use when all other options are full. http://localgiving.com/charity/aboutface HANDS (Head And Neck Dorset Support), is run by the cancer unit and meets alternate months between Poole and Dorchester. I attended their Poole meeting on Thursday evening and was humbled and moved by the amazingly heroic people that I met. The group meeting was ‘chaired’ by my cancer nurse Claire. It was amazingly inspiring to meet other people (and their partners) who had been through so much, and still had such positive outlooks to life. Their words of reassurance were truly motivating. Many in the room had been through so much more than what I have endured. I fought back the tears as I listened to their advice and encouragement. http://www.handscancergroup.org/ The HANDS meeting was held at a hospice right in the heart of the sandbanks area! I didn’t quite realise how close until I pulled my Vauxhall over to let some 30 year old guy in a black Lamborghini roar past. After the meeting I went for a drive through Sandbanks hoping to bump into Harry/Jamie Rednapp or my lifelong hero Paul Gascoigne. Alas none of them were to be seen! Bring Them a Meal Kerry and I would like to thank everyone who signed up to ‘bring us a meal’ over the next 6 weeks. It really will help to take the pressure off of Kerry as she looks after the 3 children, the house, nurses me, travels to Poole daily and everything else that life chucks our way. We are very excited at the prospect of trying so many exciting meals and also hopefully getting to meet, greet, speak, share coffee and thank as many as we can (if we are home when the meals are delivered/dishes collected). Thank you to Eliot Crowe for making this possible. http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=MKTL8191 We would like to say a very special thank you to Sue and Mark Glenn, of Fresh no 29 in Easton, who are delivering us weekly fresh fruit. https://www.facebook.com/no29fresh?fref=ts On the 31st of October (Halloween), we will be having an open house, with a buffet, drinks, cakes, sweets and decorations for anyone who would like to drop in. It will be great for us to update you with our progress and thank you all for your support. We felt that Halloween would be a good night to do it as it would be great to see all of your families whilst you are out and about ‘trick or treating’. Again thank you all for supporting me Kerry and the kids through this life challenge. We appreciate every kind gesture. |
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June 2018
Author42 year old man whose life changed over night Categories |