An update. 5 july 2016.
It has been a busy time. Friday I went into hospital for surgery to place a PEG tube into my stomach, stayed overnight and shared a ward with three other women. We got on really well and helped each other out.
It was quite confronting to see this tube sticking out of my tummy and I got upset. I have dealt with it but it certainly has been confronting. I have now learned how to use it. I need to flush it each day, so far I do not need to use it to feed, but my liquid food has arrived for when I do. A home nurse has been around to show me how to feed myself and take care of myself.
If you want a pic just ask and I shall post one.
Just an aside, hospital stay, surgery, chemoradiotherapy, all the liquid food is supplied by the government from my compulsory national health insurance.
Today I had my first chemotherapy and radiotherapy session.
I have 35 days of radiotherapy, every Mon-Friday. I have three chemo sessions, beginning, middle, end.
I'm on Cisplatin. The infusion suite is modern (about 3 years old) 12 treatment chairs the you lie in and can adjust. The infusions of saline, mannitol, cisplatin, saline took about 5 hours. Tea, coffee etc was freely available, sandwiches for lunch (I brought my own). Nurses were lovely. (V M can vouch for that! We had a Skype session going).
I have several drugs to prevent vomiting and nausea, and diarrhoea.
After chemo I went to the radiotherapy suite. Strapped down into my mask (see above) then zapped. It only took 10 mins.
I then got a lift home by my friend who had taken me in the morning. My support group is critical to me getting through this - and you are all part of my support group.
Back home I had some dinner and I am drinking lots of water, I need to wash the cisplatin out of my body as it is toxic and very toxic to my kidneys.
I'm in bed now at 8.15pm. I'll look over the forum for a while before sleep and tomorrow?
Radiotherapy appointment at 9.06am.
Cindy
