D - 41 - Baby and me and last date “ - We are out of here heading for treatment vacation


D - 41 -  Baby and me and  last date “ - We are out of here heading for treatment vacation.

Last “Hat” for this cycle

So we have crossed the final hurdle of this current treatment cycle. I attended my last radiation today and we kept this “hat” and dress code for this final day. A celebration and an indication of the start of our “holiday from treatment”.

In an earlier post I described the “machine 6” that has become part and parcel of my everyday life,  but for  a few, for six weeks now. One of the things I described was the unusual shape of the filter for the radiation when it was setting up to start the treatment above my chest. It resembled the “baby doll”. Well today I lay on the bench , asked my parents , Bill and Mar Jel , to be beside me in spirit, and we all said good- bye to the “baby”.



At the end of the session I put my hand up and said thank you to the machine itself.






We thanked the amazing people who had provided such fantastic care and left a small gift of appreciation.

It turned out eventually into a much “bigger day” than anticipated .
Following the last radiation dose we saw the nurse for final wrap up about symptoms and a burn review. We unfortunately have to continue to expect some ongoing radiation side effect if not worsening for two further weeks even after the “cessation of hostilities”. This weekend has been probably the most intrusive of “pain” symptoms mostly focused around swallow and central chest discomfort .
We then had to spend some time via the acute oncology facility to enable a chest X-ray to be done early in morning. Relieved to say came back no different or worse than back in September 2019. Still unable to see any lesion on X-ray , as was case before. So no worsening therefore the oncologist could proceed today to make an application to the drug manufacturer of Durvulamab , a drug showing promise with data on improved outcomes in lung cancer , for access to some funding for a course of their medication. We may hear later this week if successful application. The further wait
 6 - 8 weeks post radiation and chemo to commence. Hopefully in Whangarei and not to have to travel every fortnight to Auckland. 

Renene and I then went down into Town for a celebration lunch and to see a movie “1917”. We bought tickets at12h00 for 13h00 show and Renene went for head and neck massage and I went to electronics store. 1230 received urgent txt and email saying “could I be at “voice clinic” at 15h00 to consider a further “Botox” injection into vocal cord . My voice having returned after the last injection has quite quickly dropped away again . Rush off . Ask if we could re schedule our tickets for evening and back up to our room. 

Found this amazing little French “ boutique” cafe just down road. This was backdrop when seated

We went at 15h00 and endoscope showed definite wearing off of “Botox”and left cord leaving quite a gap between itself and the right side again. Consensus was further interim injection and a chat with specialist in a while about more permanent surgical solution. Back on 48 hours voice rest again so no talking till Thursday!!!! “Yeah right ! that’s going to be easy as “



So at end of day  - 3 quite positive medical events and an opportunity to go home a day earlier than we thought might be reasonable.

Renene and I then walked back into town for our 6 pm movie so done my exercise for the day x 2. Bit shattered now this evening.

Last sleep away from home and looking forward to my own bed tomorrow night.😀

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