Relieved

13 sessions of radiotherapy finished today much to my pure delight. I've got all the normal side effects i.e. indigestion, hiccups, heartburn, lethargy and large red blotches on my chest. It has been quite an ordeal to get through.

Nothing is easy when you have cancer it saps all the strength from your body and without the expertise of another group of wonderful people who know how to put you at ease, I seriously don't know how people get through it. Every morning I said to Susan I really didn't think I could go through it again but with her encouragement to get me there and the radiographers ability to build you up enough to make you get on to that steel table I managed it.

Each day that went past I found myself in a lot more pain from my back and other areas. The radiotherapy weakens your muscles and along with it any damage to muscles from previous injury. I was particularly suffering with an old back injury. I went to see a consultant in pain control at St. Nicholas Hospice yesterday who was brilliant. She prescribed a TENS machine which is often used for pregnant women........

Sorry we have a delay the narrator has fallen asleep. Oh no he's awake again!

.......It sends an electric pulse through your muscle and creates a nerve block so your brain cannot receive a message that you are in pain. Therefore although I can't say the pain has disappeared it is so much better.

My blue disabled parking badge arrived this week too and my wheelchair should be delivered next week. So hopefully I will be all set to enjoy things a little more than I have just lately.

I have come to a point now in the therapy where I hope to see some sort of change in the tumour. It wont be for another 3 or 4 weeks that Dr. Gillingan who is my consultant and all his colleagues will be able to see if there is a better outlook on the tumour or chemotherapy may have to be reconsidered. Obviously I hope the radiotherapy will have had the desired effect but still looking at the young kids and all the different age groups in that clinic...........

Sorry the narrator is now struggling to get his very heavy cardigan off!! Oh he's back! No he's not he's got hiccups now this is the longest entry I've ever had to type. Back again. No his back is hurting again and now he's not comfortable hold on. Here he is.

..... just give you a morale boost along with the caring staff it makes you realise you must never give up.

It's been 4 months and the further I get through it the more confident I get that I can shake this. I see lots of people come out of the wards so much better than when I've seen them arrive it gives you hope and good luck to all of them I hope they can go on to live long and happy lives.

He's very tired now will let you know how he gets on soon!