I didn’t realise that it was so long since I updated my blog until today.
The effects from the chemo are more or less gone and I am now in the middle of my radiotherapy. I had to wait three weeks before I started radio to make sure that I didn’t need any more chemo. On the 10th May I had an appointment with my chemo doctor who gave me the great news that as far as they were concerned there was no more trace of cancer. I still have to have radio for the next three and half weeks, having completed 7 days already. This is more tiring than I thought as I have to travel into the hospital on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. I should have started on the 16th May and would have finished on the 17th June but the hospital was a day late starting so I will probably finish either on Saturday 18th or on Monday 20th; either works for me; as long as I finish. The wonderful news is that it should soon be over and that I have a friend that is concerned enough to pick me up most days from the hospital to take me home so that I don’t get too tired - thanks Flavia. Also thank you to Bill for being patient when I am really tired and in not a very good mood.
It has been interesting to go to the hospital every day; not necessarily in a good way; but within a couple of days I sorted out the system. In the first two days Julie and I turned up at the hospital before 10am to see if I could get treated quickly; no such luck: we waited at least two hours. I then asked the girl who was treating me if there was a good time to come and yes there was. The next day I turned up at mid-day and within half an hour was being treated and was back out again in 10 minutes; wonderful. It is the waiting time that makes it tiring. So from now on I turn up either at 11:30 if I get a ride or mid-day if I catch the train; either way works well. Obviously the Portuguese like to eat at lunch time and don’t want to wait around the hospital; as for me I can eat later if the waiting time is shorter.
I have noticed that there are days when I feel really tired and am very irritable; they are probably connected; but I feel bad for anyone around me, especially Bill. This is something I am going to have to deal with as it is not their fault that I feel bad and as least I am getting treatment; completely free and although not the best organised so far it is now working well.
At the end of my chemo but before my radio started Bill and I took the opportunity to go away for three days. Our girls had bought us a voucher for the Pousadas which is a group of very nice hotels in Portugal. We travelled down to Beja which is in the Alentejo part of Portugal and I don’t think you could get a quieter part of the country. The weather was just right and we spent a lovely time just walking around the town and travelling through the countryside. I was always slightly tired but it was great just to relax and be looked after by someone else.
Anyway only 18 days to go and believe me, I am counting down. Next week I have an appointment with my radio doctor to see how things are going. I am very optimistic.
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