I did my RT at Prince Court Medical Centre's Radiotherapy Services Department. Everyday before the treatment, my temperature and blood pressure were checked. Whilst my weight was monitored weekly in the first two weeks and 3 times a week thereafter. Similarly, Dr Azrif would see me once a week then 3 times a week beginning Week 3.
What happen during RT? To ensure the x-ray beam hit the right target, I had to put on a hard-plastic-mesh-like mask to ensure I stay put throughout the session. Some measurements and marks were made on my face before I put on the mask that was then fastened to the board that I laid on. It felt really uncomfortable for the first few weeks but reciting selawat and zikir helped to get my mind off it.
Once I was fastened, I went under the Tomotherapy machine for a scan (about 2-3 minutes) then pulled out while the Radiotherapists checked/analysed my scan and set up the necessaries (another 2-3 minutes) before they sent me under the machine again for the actual thing (about 7-8 minutes). It felt and sounded like I was under a photocopy machine. I shut my eyes but I could still see glimpse of the x-ray beam and smelled it when it ran over my face then gradually moved to my neck and shoulder.
My daily dosage was 200 cGy; totaling to 70 Gy near the growth but more on the right side where the growth is, 60 Gy on my neck and 50 Gy for my shoulder. So that should remove the growth and kill any other cancer cells at those areas right? Well hopefully, but not only that actually. 7 weeks of intense x-ray exposure also caused inflammation at those areas. I really can't imagine how bad it is inside but I guess the inflammation caused my sinusitis to come back, the bad sore throat and probably affected some good innocent cells that made my mouth dry and sensitive these days.
After a couple of sessions, my husband said I have to get used to it or it would be difficult for me to complete my RT. True but I told him, it's not something that I want to get used to. No thank you. Beside doa,zikir and selawat, I managed to distract myself by thinking of holiday destinations for when everything is over, had a couple of reflections and there was also a time that I sang to Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits album that was played during the treatment. :) Overtime, I did sort of got used to it because my body was too weak to even stay awake during the sessions.
It wasn't easy too when there were some days between Week 2 and 3 where the machine went down during my sessions. It would take longer than usual since they needed to rescan and reanalyse. I would get very disappointed and tired because I had to manage my nausea too. But the Radiotherapists have always been understanding and accommodating in ensuring my comfort, thanks so much! Alhamdulillah by week 4, the machine was fixed.
I had my Chemotherapy every Wednesday over at Prince Court Medical Centre's Oncology Daycare. Chemo took about 5 hours thus I'd usually start early in the morning before I continued with RT in the afternoon. Before every session; my temperature, blood pressure and weight were monitored. My blood was also drawn for Haematology where they would look out for my Hemaglobin, White Blood Count and Neutrophils results. The results would determine whether I'd be fit to proceed with Chemo for the day. Alhamdulillah, my results were within range throughout the 5 sessions.
Going through Chemo was actually not too bad for me. The 5 hours could be boring but I would nap in between, watched TV or BBM/Whatsapp with friends and family (single-handedly since the other hand had the IV line fixed). The only downside for me was probably getting poked for IV line. But the nurses at daycare were always so careful and understanding. They also took time to chat (and hear my 'sad' stories :P) even when they were busy. Gems!
At every session, I was IVed a lot of Normal Saline, one big bag before Cisplatin (the Chemo med) and another after. Basically, I needed a lot of fluid to flush out the toxin from Cisplatin. So I visited the toilet quite often plus I left every session with puffy hands and eyes due to water retention I guess.
There's actually one funny fact during every Chemo. :) Somewhere mid session I'd be given an antiemetic via IV to prevent nausea and vomiting. This med has immediate side effect, an itchy feeling at the genital that would lasts about 10 seconds. Weird but true! The nurse warned me the first time around and I was shocked when it really happened haha!
As I said, going through Chemo wasn't that bad but the side effects is another story of course. But Alhamdulillah, mine can be considered quite mild because my Cisplation dosage was quite low. Nonetheless, it wasn't a walk in the park to manage nausea and heartburn when you were also fatigue.
Since I detailed much on my treatment here, I think my next update will be more on the side effects and how I managed it.
It wasn't easy too when there were some days between Week 2 and 3 where the machine went down during my sessions. It would take longer than usual since they needed to rescan and reanalyse. I would get very disappointed and tired because I had to manage my nausea too. But the Radiotherapists have always been understanding and accommodating in ensuring my comfort, thanks so much! Alhamdulillah by week 4, the machine was fixed.
I had my Chemotherapy every Wednesday over at Prince Court Medical Centre's Oncology Daycare. Chemo took about 5 hours thus I'd usually start early in the morning before I continued with RT in the afternoon. Before every session; my temperature, blood pressure and weight were monitored. My blood was also drawn for Haematology where they would look out for my Hemaglobin, White Blood Count and Neutrophils results. The results would determine whether I'd be fit to proceed with Chemo for the day. Alhamdulillah, my results were within range throughout the 5 sessions.
Going through Chemo was actually not too bad for me. The 5 hours could be boring but I would nap in between, watched TV or BBM/Whatsapp with friends and family (single-handedly since the other hand had the IV line fixed). The only downside for me was probably getting poked for IV line. But the nurses at daycare were always so careful and understanding. They also took time to chat (and hear my 'sad' stories :P) even when they were busy. Gems!
At every session, I was IVed a lot of Normal Saline, one big bag before Cisplatin (the Chemo med) and another after. Basically, I needed a lot of fluid to flush out the toxin from Cisplatin. So I visited the toilet quite often plus I left every session with puffy hands and eyes due to water retention I guess.
There's actually one funny fact during every Chemo. :) Somewhere mid session I'd be given an antiemetic via IV to prevent nausea and vomiting. This med has immediate side effect, an itchy feeling at the genital that would lasts about 10 seconds. Weird but true! The nurse warned me the first time around and I was shocked when it really happened haha!
As I said, going through Chemo wasn't that bad but the side effects is another story of course. But Alhamdulillah, mine can be considered quite mild because my Cisplation dosage was quite low. Nonetheless, it wasn't a walk in the park to manage nausea and heartburn when you were also fatigue.
Since I detailed much on my treatment here, I think my next update will be more on the side effects and how I managed it.
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