16 down and 4 to go.
This journey has had its many ups and downs but today was one of the most traumatic. It was silly really because it was no big deal to anybody…except me!
Throughout the RT I’ve kept to the same daily routine which has worked very well for me. Most of my appointments have been in mid-afternoon, even though at different times. However todays was at 1pm…and its that time all next week.
I wanted to attend the weekly Maggies Men’s Cancer Support Group as it was an important meeting for the future of the Group, and I wanted to have a say. So off I went at 9am, stopped off for my coffee, attended the meeting which was another excellent meeting, had another DECAF tea during the meeting. I then set off for the Western which took an hour…no problems.
I followed my usual routine at the hospital, going to the loo to empty my bladder then drinking my 3 cups of water finishing 35 mins(I thought they might be early) before my time. As it got nearer to my appointment time of 1pm I could tell I was struggling with my bladder control…I never had this issue before. The radiographer called me in just before 1 and I told her I was struggling but thought I would be ok. She said they would hurry things along which they did…the staff are absolutely wonderful. However as the machine started I had a severe flush and was struggling to hold onto it. I tried to relax but is was very difficult. On the machines last pass I felt I had no option but to call out I was really struggling. The staff were great, encouraging me and even counting me down to the end of treatment. In the end though I couldn’t hold on and wet myself, not majorly but enough. Again the staff were brilliant and rushed in with a bowl for me to use whilst I was still six foot up in the air. They then lowered me down and helped me off the table making sure I was able to relieve myself properly.
I was most apologetic! They were most apologetic for putting me through it, and suggested next week to reduce my wait to 20 minutes for the final 4 session which I was pleased about.
We wished each other a lovely weekend and I departed feeling fine with a clean pair of underwear…good tip always take one with you!
I got in the car to drive home and immediately felt totally traumatised by what had happened…..you’re lying flat out on a table 6 foot in the air trying to keep as still as possible, worrying that if you move you might get zapped in the wrong place, but also desperately needing to pee! This was definitely the worst experience of the treatment so far and it’s taken me all afternoon to get over it. Now, it may sound silly but when somebody says to you don’t worry I’m sure it happens all the time you really want to punch them in the face, Fortunately my wife is so understanding and supportive and listened to me carefully when I got home and sympathised with me.
Next week I will be wearing pads just in case…
Anyway that’s the only negative, other than that feeling great, energy levels picked up again and still doing my 10k+ steps a day and keeping very active…even though I felt very sorry for myself this afternoon. I’ve had one other accident when I’ve been out walking but was prepared for it this time, just laughed it off and did the moonwalk home! Mornings are the problem for this, later in the day no problem at all.
Roll on next Thursday and ringing that 🛎️. Oops, sorry forgot Western don’t have one so I will have to ring it in my head!
Apologies for the long story but I have always wanted to document the bad as well as the good on this ‘journey’ in the hope it might help others.