Today we went back to
see my specialist (David) for the two week check-up. (well two weeks
and one day to be precise). He was very happy that I had recovered
from my cold/flu and seemed really happy with my progress. I got the
sense that the fact I'd made it through the first 2 weeks without
needing medications was a big deal. He had a good look at my head and
was happy with it all and was optimistic that I wouldn't lose too
much hair. David said that they had used an arc rather than one
focused spot of radiation, so hair loss should be minimal.
Unfortunately he
couldn't tell me what the next few weeks would be like. I can expect
increasing fatigue and possibly nausea. On Tuesday this week I had a
bout of vomiting, although after a lie down I felt a lot better. The
fatigue is really increasing though. It seems to creep up on me then
hit me suddenly. I'm also finding that getting up at night to Angus
is getting really hard. I wake up, but I'm drowsy, and it takes me a
while to get going. David's recommendation was to keep exercising so
that I can increase my general stamina. I didn't make it to the gym
this morning because of our appointment (and James let me have a
sleep in as we had a terrible night with Angus) but I have to make
myself keep going no matter what.
David said now that the
focus should be on managing symptoms into the future. We talked about
the balance clinic which is at UQ (University of Queensland) and he
has written me a referral for them. And I've also got another script
for a balance/nausea drug called SERC which I've read mixed things
about (one report seemed to think that it was really only a placebo
while others have shouted it's benefits). But it is nice to know
think that we are shifting focus to recovery rather than treatment.
Nevertheless, I am
still anxious about the next few weeks and what they will bring. I
don't need to see him again in the short term, but he wants me to
come back in 6 months and have a follow up MRI then which suits me.
And I'll keep taking it
one day at a time.
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