23rd DAY OF RADIATION

Monday October 27, 2014

Today they had me using their older radiation machine since they were doing a special procedure for someone else on the other machine.  This machine looked the same but wasn't completely automated, so it meant that the techs had to do a few manual steps throughout the procedure.  It didn't take too much longer than normal.

Then I met with the dietitian since it's Monday.  As soon as she saw me she said, "How are you doing?  You look great.  You look like you always have so much energy."  I told her that I just try my best to hold it together and do what I have to do.  My weight today was 133.1.  It's been like that.  A little up, a little down, but it's basically in the same area.  But again, she talked to me about trying not to lose more weight so that I can be strong for my surgery.  It's inevitable I'll be losing weight during that time.  She asked me, "Are you eating?"

If she knew what I eat and how much she'd be telling me not to eat that much and to stop eating what I'm eating.  I admit I get a very rumbly tummy from the things I eat, but sometimes it's worth it.  I figure, I can eat now.  I won't be able to eat like this at surgery time and probably not for several weeks after.  I have no idea what to expect with having a colostomy bag.  I imagine I will find out quickly what foods to avoid!

After meeting with the dietitian I saw the nurse who takes my pulse, temp, and blood pressure once a week, usually on Wednesdays.  But this week my radiation doc is going on vacation so we were doing these things today.

Then I got to see my radiation doc.  He said I'm doing really very well for how far into the treatment I am.  I told him I'd been having some pain in my urethra and thought I may have a urinary tract infection, so he had me give a urine sample.  He said if it is an infection he would give me an antibiotic, but if it wasn't then he would give me Phenazopyridine which would calm the irritation of my urinary tract.  It's very common with radiation in the area of the colon for it to irritate the urinary tract.  He also told me that next Monday, November 3, would be my final day of chemo and radiation.  Wow, it has really gone by fast.  WEIGHT 133.1