33 Days To Go

My radiotherapy started today. It’s the first of 33 treatments that I will be receiving during the rest of September and through until 30 October.

The object of the radiotherapy is to kill any remaining cancer cells in an area known as the “prostate bed” – that’s the area where my prostate used to be, before it was removed in 2017. Treatments are given daily – weekdays only – in small doses. These are strong enough to kills some of the cancerous cells without causing undue harm to the surrounding area (or me as a whole!) while allowing me to recover overnight and continue treatment.

The first treatment was, of course, a novelty. On arriving at the facility I had a short wait before being ushered through to the room containing the radiotherapy machine. During the treatment I have to lie very still on a bed, on my back with my knees slightly raised but supported with a shaped foam cushion. This helps tilt my pelvis slightly, into an optimum position for the radiotherapy beams.

I also have to have an empty bowel and full bladder. The former probably won’t be too much of a problem, at least for the time being, as I am fairly regular in the mornings. The bladder might prove a bit more tricky because it requires me to stay hydrated and drink enough before each treatment to be ready to pee. I suspect it’s going to be a bit of a balancing act…but it was OK today.

The reasons for these measures appear to be twofold. First, it helps keep some of my other internal organs away from the beams (as far as possible) which helps to reduce the risk of side effects. Second, it also helps ensure the various bits inside me are in the same position each day so that the machine can deliver its beams consistently and accurately.

I’ve been warned that there may be some side effects to the radiotherapy as the treatment progresses. The most likely of these by all accounts in “tiredness” although nobody can give me a clear idea of what this means. It’s a cumulative effect so it will emerge gradually so it’s unlikely to happen right away. One of the reasons for writing these daily blogs is to try and give an idea of how the treatment is going and when any side effects start to occur.

By odd coincidence, today is the third anniversary of my first meeting with the consultant who oversaw my initial diagnosis. I can still recall the precise moment when I realised that I had a real problem. After a brief discussion about my symptoms and lifestyle, Mr P asked if he could carry out an examination. As he was poking around I suddenly felt a very sharp pain that flet like a small stab. That was the moment everything changed.

Day One Summary

Tiredness: 0/10

Side effects: none