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Monday 11 September 2023

Seven sessions done; thirty sessions left

This afternoon I will be undertaking my eighth session of radiotherapy … which will mean that I will be a fifth of the way through my treatment.

It has not been easy to achieve the right level of hydration during the recent hot spell, but as I’ve got into the rhythm of my daily treatment, I’ve learned how to pace my water intake so that I’ve got the right amount of fluid in my system at the right time.

So far, I haven’t noticed any side effects, but I’m told that they may well not appear until after the radiotherapy has ended.

21 comments:

  1. Good to hear it’s progressing well, Bob. Keep drinking that water! (Certainly an issue this month 🌞).

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    1. Martin S.,

      Cheers! My progress is slow and steady ... but drinking that much water is a bit of a b*gger, even during the current heatwave.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Fingers crossed any side effects are minimal Bob. At least here the oppressive heat has finally broken, so hopefully for you too, which will make it easier to maintain your hydration levels.

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    1. Steve J.,

      I do have signs of what looks like sunburn on the area of skin above the part of my body that is being zapped, but I can treat that with E45.

      At least I can reduce my fluid intake to closer to two litres now that the weather is not quite so hot ... but it still feels quite a lot at times.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. Hopefully you will avoid the side effects of your treatment, at least the heat has subsided which should help with your hydration regime!!

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    1. Donnie McGibbon,

      Cheers! I am suffering from what looks like sunburn on the skin where the X-Rays are being directed, but it doesn't hurt and I'm treating it with E45.

      So far today I've managed to drink a litre of water and I have at least another to drink before my treatment session later this afternoon.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. I hope you continue to avoid the side effects Bob - best wishes as always.

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    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      I’ve been given some special cream by the hospital to deal with the patch of sunburn-like redness on the skin of my lower abdomen. If that is the extent of the side effects I end up suffering from, I’ll be very pleased.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. So far so good! It will be over before you know it. Best of luck!

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    1. Mark Cordone,

      Cheers! By Monday of next week I’ll be a third of the way through my treatment … and not long afterwards I’ll be past the halfway point and on the downhill slope towards the end.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Glad to hear things are progressing okay , Tony

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    1. The Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),

      Cheers! I’m getting there …

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. Hey Bob, I'm glad things are going well for you during your treatment. It's really moving along quicker than I thought. Staying hydrated can be tough. My family has adopted seltzer water as our choice of flavored, carbonated beverage. Hope you can find something that makes it easier for you.

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    1. Mr. Pavone,

      Going for treatment has become part of my daily routine.

      Unfortunately, I cannot use any carbonated fluids to hydrate, so I have to drink still water … which can be very boring, especially as during the UK’s recent hot weather they upped my intake to three litres!

      I can hardly wait until I can drink a Diet Coke or a cafe latte for a change.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  8. The ‘much’ cooler weather has just kicked in today, so hopefully that will help. Good to hear that you are not presently feeling any direct ill effect. My father had radio-therapy (as an inpatient), but I had no idea about the significant of hydration as a consideration.

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    1. Norm,

      The colder weather has helped, but I do seem to have developed a touch of sunburn on my abdomen … which is not unusual.

      Because they are zapping my prostate, my bladder has to be full for the treatment to work. The problem is getting my fluid intake right so that my bladder is full (but not too full) in time for my appointment.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  9. Bob,
    Glad everything is going OK - time passes very quickly and I'm certainly glad for you that your treatment is well underway. Cheers. KEV.

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    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      In no time I’ll be halfway through my treatment. In the meantime, I’m just plodding along and trying to live as near a normal life as I can.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  10. Replies
    1. Neil Patterson (Neil),

      Cheers! I’m doing my best … but it gets a bit trying at times.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  11. Good to hear it's not been too bad so far, and the heatwave seems to have passed now, so maybe things will get a bit easier. Good that there are no side effects as yet. As you say, 'keep plodding along'..

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