Well, that is the first week of treatment under the belt.
It has been a long time in coming.
It took several weeks before they could confirm how they were going to fix this ongoing “problem” which thankfully was just in the neck and nowhere else. That also meant that I would still have my hair- for now at least.
On saying that, I was not naïve to think that this procedure was going to be a walk in the park. It had its own collection of side effects. But I could not wait to get started.
I could not have asked for a better way of getting the best mindset for what was going to be a challenging time the week before with a classic afternoon tea on the “Orient Express.” However, when the big day finally arrived, my emotions were mixed.
I am not exaggerating when I say that being told you are told that you have cancer is a huge thing to deal with. I know that with me, it could have been a lot worse.
But it is still a traumatic experience, one I would not wish on anyone.
During the last month and a bit, I had gone through so many mental challenges, from the initial worry, dealing with a stroppy medical secretary, a journey into the unknown, waiting for the results as well as the extra health curveballs that were thrown at me, which included a 24 hour stay in hospital.
That was the worst period.
That is no reflection on the nurses and doctors who were dealing with me. They found stuff that needed to be checked. And I have always said that I would rather they checked stuff than do nothing.
I am so glad that they did.
But several scans and dodgy hospital food later, they found something, but it was categorised as something rare, but no treatment required, but something to watch, wait and see.
Now that was done, I had to put those several weeks to one side and focus on the reason that started this medical journey in the first place.
During these coming weeks, I had to focus on that things were finally moving at last and this was the turning point where I would get this cancer under control.
The medics had told me they could not guarantee getting rid of the cancer totally, but enough to go into remission with regular checkups. That period could last years.
I can handle that. When you are “over 21” one would expect regular check-ups in some shape or other.
So, like I do in all medical situations, I always like to do my homework on what to expect. So, getting out with the protective mask was no surprise. I had enough surprises to last me a lifetime. I made sure that there would not be any more.
It did not take me long to find out more about the radiotherapy process, lying on the table whilst those big arms slowly revolving around me sending timely pulses into my neck. No pain, so I read, but hopefully plenty of gain.
And with those arms whirling round whilst lying on a bench, it felt like an episode of the old TV series, “Joe 90”. If there was any basis for a potential viral video – that was it.
Now week one is out of the way and there have been challenges, travelling into Edinburgh each day, getting daily “hot flush” as well as the expected tiredness and having to use a cream that smelt like an old-style hospital ward on my now sensitive neck.
I expect even more challenges this coming week.
If the trains run on time, I know I can handle anything.