Today David had his second radiation session. And rather than my driving him in as I did yesterday, he went in by train and bus.
Some changes from yesterday were sorted today:
As he isn't eating in the morning prior to his treatment, his last meal is dinner the night before. Yesterday in the car, so he wouldn't starve before we got home, I took:- a small thermos of Thai pumpkin soup
- carrot sticks
- homemade hummus
- 5 seed crackers
- a banana
- the verdict this afternoon was that soup on the train is not do-able.
We both noticed yesterday how lovely the staff are, and also how much chatting goes on between the patients who are waiting. It does increase the camaraderie and lower the sense of loneliness.
All of the men were having radiation for prostate cancer and they all have had adjustments to make about how much water to drink to fill the bladder so that the small intestine lifts out of the way, but not too soon so they need to pee before the treatment. It is a finely judged and often misjudged art, I gather.
David drank too early yesterday, and then had to start again. Multiple pee stops required on the way home ...
Today however he judged it better and did not have to break the train journey for a pit stop as he had thought he may need to.
When I picked him up from the station, we went down to Bruce and Gary's so he could have a bath in a solution of salt and Epsom salts. We no longer have a bath at our place - we took it out when we changed the bathroom so we had a family ensuite.
I can hear him yawning now - I think he will be early to bed tonight. One of the effects of drinking lots of water early in the day is the need to pee lots overnight too. Altogether now: Poor David!
I didn't drink lots of water, so why was I awake a lot last night then?
3 comments:
Hi Marilyn, it is good to hear that the treatment has started and that even as early as his second visit he is learning the necessary management of water intake versus the output! We were so lucky that when Chris had a very high PSA result in Feb 2020 that after an MRI and bone scans plus a biopsy it turned out not to be cancer. Do take care. Love and best wishes to you both Jennie and Chris xx
Poor David indeed, not a pleasant experience especially to be having on a daily basis. I'm presuming he has at least one or two days off per week, long enough to recover slightly before starting again. Drinking loads is a right B, it's the worry of finding a loo when you most need it. I expect every toilet within miles has been etched into the memory banks. Tell David we wish him well and pray for a speedy recovery.
Sending massive hugs to you both
I&I
Xxx
Thank you, Jennie and Chris, Irene and Ian,
He is very pleased to have your best wishes - support and encouragement do help, don't they?
Mxx
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