Water, Water, Everywhere…

Until today the challenge of drinking enough water to fill my bladder for the treatment was in reality a matter of not drinking too much. I thought I’d perfected the art of timing – remain hydrated and drink a pint about an hour before the appointment and then a small bottle on the way. Once or twice I’d overdone it but managed easily enough to hold on until the treatment was over.

Today it all went wrong, even though I stuck to my schedule. I drank the pint of water at nine-ish and took two small bottles with me for the half hour drive. I should have spotted the warning signs earlier: in the previous days I had started to feel full, or at least becoming full, about half an hour before the appointment time. That’s usually about half way through the drive to the facility but today, nothing.

In fact, I drank both bottles on the way and grabbed a big cupfull from the water machine on arrival at the centre. Even then I was barely feeling the urge at the appointed time. I pointed this out to the radiographers and they asked me to carry on drinking. They gave me a little more time, which was embarrassing because I knew this would delay my treatment and then for those who would be following me.

When the radiographers asked me into the treatment room they did an ultrasound scan of my bladder that showed it contained just over 500ml of water. Apprately they can proceed with the treatment if my bladder is at least 80 per cent full. Mine wasn’t quite there (my capacity is around 800ml so 500 is only just over 60%) so they prepped me for the treatment and left me a couple more minutes. By now I could feel the bladder beginning to fill, and quite quickly. The preliminary alignment scan by the machine then showed I was full enough so the treatment proceeded. It was over half an hour since I had been called through to the treatment area when it’s usually all over in around 15 minutes.

I’m not sure what went wrong but it could have been a combination of the diarrhea and a warm night which had dehydrated me a bit more than I realised. I will try harder tomorrow.

Later in the day I read yet another newspaper article about a potential new prostate cancer treatment. I know that one becomes more aware of such things when going through something relevant. But it does strike me that doctors and researchers are finding new ways to diagnose, treat and cure all kinds of cancers at the moment.

I know that some of the consultants I have seen – and their patients – are participating in various studies and trials. The results of these, and the lessons learned, all help to build better understanding of the illness that will inevitably lead to better treatments in the future. I also know that some of the participants are taking part even though they know that it may not help them personally. That seems to me to be a certain type of courage.

Day Twelve

Tiredness: 0/10

Side Effects: diarrhea has abated so not so much a problem today. Hopefully this is because I have changed my diet as recommended by the radiographers and nutritionist.