Beginner's Guide To Radiotherapy

The first time round I didn't have to do radiotherapy, so this is all new to me.

So having departed Northwick Park Hospital on Friday lunchtime, we arrive at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre at about 2.30pm.

I am taken through for yet another CT scan. During this I am scanned and 4 tattoos are made, one slap bang in the middle of my decolletage the other 3 are located just below my belly button and the other 2 in a line with this one, on each of my hips. These are to guide the radiotherapy people as to where I am to be zapped.

Calculations have to be made and this all takes time.

Eventually, we get to go to the radiotherapy department at about 5.15pm.

I lie flat on my back and with the help of lasers, callipers and rulers, the two radiographers call various numbers to each other. The bed I am on is moved this way and that, the radiotherapy machine is also moved this way and that until both are satisfied. They leave through the 2 foot thick door. First they take an x-ray and then they do the actual zapping. They then return to do the next bit lower down. The same number calling is done and the whole procedure is repeated. The whole thing takes about 15-20 minutes.

The journey there and back takes more time than the actual treatment.

I come home to my lovely, lovely bed and spend a very good night sleeping.

I am warned that the side effects can entail, "sunburn" on my skin, a sore throat and possible bowel issues, either diarrhoea or constipation. Well that's covered all eventualities.

I am warned that my back pain may well get worse. I spend quite an uncomfortable weekend as various bits of my back at different times hurt.

I am dreading the next 4 sessions, however by Tuesday, whilst I am still walking incredibly slowly, my mood and pain are improved and bearable.

I have been slapping, or rather Terry has, large quantities of aloe vera gel on my back, which is initially freezing, but so far does appear to be doing the trick in keeping the "sunburn" at bay.

I spend my days having a lie-in, having breakfast, strolling very, very slowly, up the road, watching TV and having afternoon snoozes.

The side effects can last up to two weeks after treatment is completed. I am hoping that since I am only having 5 sessions rather than 3 weeks worth, that my side effects will be small and short lived, so that I can get back to normal sooner rather than later.