Since my last post, Steve has been zapped. Five times, on the Linear Accelerator (LINAC). Three radiotherapy sessions last week and two this week, finishing this morning. No horrible side effects so far, but the impact of treatment is cumulative and has yet to reach its peak, so we are not out of the woods yet...
He has been tired, but so have we both as a result of setting the alarm for silly o'clock so as to be at the hospital before 8am. The fatigue may be the result of treatment, getting up early (for us!) day after day, or a bit of both. We're looking forward to not having an early morning alarm call tomorrow....
Back to hospital again in four weeks time to see if the radiotherapy treatment has shrunk the tumour that's constricting the passage of air into his lower left lung. I assume he'll have another scan before then to compare to the base line scan taken before treatment, but we don't have any dates yet. If the radiotherapy is working, he should start to feel the benefits of increased lung capacity, so we should have some idea of its effectiveness before the next appointment.
Steve is now in the second week of taking the full dose of Prednisolone steroids (back up to six tablets) to stimulate his appetite which had all but disappeared, along with a lot of weight. From Friday onwards, he'll start being weaned off the drug as long term use causes all sorts of problems. One less tablet per day over each successive week, until they run out. I hope they can prescribe another type of steroid if the loss of appetite returns....
But for now, the Prednisolone seems to be working. He's eating more but hasn't gained any weight. However, the weight loss has been stemmed and now stabilised around 53.3 kilos/8st 5lbs 6oz in shorts and a T shirt.
I am sitting here wondering how to finish today's post. I'd love to tantalise you with hints about future plans, but in truth there are none. We're just taking each day as it comes; fulfilling commitments and not taking on new ones for the time being; taking the opportunity to tie up some loose ends as and when things pop up, but not looking to far into the future.
Lastly, heartfelt thanks to those of you who have sent lovely messages. Sorry I haven't replied individually. This last week has been a bit of a blur. Hope to catch up with you soon x
He has been tired, but so have we both as a result of setting the alarm for silly o'clock so as to be at the hospital before 8am. The fatigue may be the result of treatment, getting up early (for us!) day after day, or a bit of both. We're looking forward to not having an early morning alarm call tomorrow....
Back to hospital again in four weeks time to see if the radiotherapy treatment has shrunk the tumour that's constricting the passage of air into his lower left lung. I assume he'll have another scan before then to compare to the base line scan taken before treatment, but we don't have any dates yet. If the radiotherapy is working, he should start to feel the benefits of increased lung capacity, so we should have some idea of its effectiveness before the next appointment.
Steve is now in the second week of taking the full dose of Prednisolone steroids (back up to six tablets) to stimulate his appetite which had all but disappeared, along with a lot of weight. From Friday onwards, he'll start being weaned off the drug as long term use causes all sorts of problems. One less tablet per day over each successive week, until they run out. I hope they can prescribe another type of steroid if the loss of appetite returns....
But for now, the Prednisolone seems to be working. He's eating more but hasn't gained any weight. However, the weight loss has been stemmed and now stabilised around 53.3 kilos/8st 5lbs 6oz in shorts and a T shirt.
I am sitting here wondering how to finish today's post. I'd love to tantalise you with hints about future plans, but in truth there are none. We're just taking each day as it comes; fulfilling commitments and not taking on new ones for the time being; taking the opportunity to tie up some loose ends as and when things pop up, but not looking to far into the future.
Lastly, heartfelt thanks to those of you who have sent lovely messages. Sorry I haven't replied individually. This last week has been a bit of a blur. Hope to catch up with you soon x
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