That was Wednesday morning.
Fortunately we managed to get passed Shepton Mallet with its very long traffic queues and managed to make good time on the rest of our journey, arriving at the vascular clinic at Bristol Royal Infirmary with literally minutes to spare for the 9:15 appointment.
The last time we'd gone up to Bristol for an appointment we'd left at 7:30 and got to the hospital on time but with the chance to park at Cabot's Circus. Allowing an extra half an hour would be a good idea we thought and it turned out it was.
After our mad rush from the car park to the clinic we found ourselves sitting around for half an hour waiting for the doctor. With a CT Scan planned for 10am and a long walk to get to the Oncology hospital we knew we'd not be able to wait any longer so told the nurse we'd have to go. Of course she couldn't allow us to do that without the doctor's permission so we found ourselves waiting while she checked only for her to return and usher us into the doctor.
Well he was brilliant and really friendly. He examined Rhys' feet which is the reason we were there, found a strong pulse but also noted the difference in temperature. After a few more questions he told Rhys that he would arrange for a repeat of an ultrasound that Yeovil hospital had performed but this time to be done in Bristol while he is up there having his radiotherapy. Just to give Rhys something to do. He also explained that Rhys could be suffering from something called Raynaud's which affects the circulation in the hands and feet. Mr A to Z Medical Dictionary ticks off another condition!
Leaving the vascular clinic we made our way through the maze of corridors inside the BRI and arrived at the oncology hospital. Rhys' CT scan went well and he emerged from the scanner room with a series of tattoos on his stomach to allow them line up the machines when he has his radiotherapy. It was a bit disappointing that the tattoo was only tiny dots and not the full blown bowling ball and pin that we told Nanny about afterwards but you can't have everything.
After the scan Jax took Rhys up to the teenage oncology unit Area 61 and showed him around. When he's having his radiotherapy he will have access to the unit and be able to join in the activities that are put on there. If there was any worry about him spending lots of time at CLIC House playing pool then those doubts disappeared when we saw the unit. I suspect that he will be spending a lot of time there, especially since they have a table football game and a pool table. I'm beginning to think he might not want to come back home to Yeovil with all of this to look forward to.
Lunch followed at Mum's favourite pub, the Bay Horse with Rhys choosing a rather tasty burger and chips.
The trip back was a lot easier as we bypassed Glastonbury by using the motorway. It was a long day and very tiring but things are finally moving getting towards the last stages of his treatment so that he can enjoy a couple of weeks recovering from the radiotherapy before his next big adventure, college.
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