Week 3 of radiotherapy

Its been a while since we posted anything with regards to Rhys' treatment. We're now into the third week of radiotherapy.
On Monday we were set to come up to Bristol when we received a phone call from the radiographers to tell us that the machine had broken down and that they were cancelling appointments. Rhys will have another appointment added on at the end of the 6 weeks to make up for it. With an extra day in Yeovil we decided to spend it relaxing and doing some of the things we'd wanted to do like go to the cinema.
With the sun shining in the sky we headed to Cineworld to watch How To Train Your Dragon 2.
There were less than a dozen people at the showing we went to, not surprising as it was in the middle of the afternoon.
We enjoyed the film, Rhys liked it and thought it was better than the first, I prefer the first as there was more going on with the storyline in that one.
Tuesday we returned to Bristol. On arrival at the room we discovered a note to say that there had been a phone call letting us know the radiotherapy machine was fixed and we could come in for the appointment anyway. Oh well!

Last weekend was incredibly stressful and heartbreaking for the family.
On Saturday we traveled to Portsmouth as Rhys' Grampa,  Tracey's Dad, had been taken into hospital. We arrived at the hospital in the afternoon and went to his bed on the Medical Assessment Unit. Rhys spent a bit of time at the bedside in between going to the restaurant and for short walks with various close family members.
Eventually Rhys and I had to leave to check into a hotel for the night as it wasn't good for him to stay at the hospital overnight.

We rang the local Marriot, no rooms.

Then we rang Premier Inn, no rooms in Portsmouth or Petersfield but they did have a room in Aldershot, a good 30 miles from Portsmouth. Um, pass.

Finally we managed to get a room through Ibis. Since we used to live in Portsmouth and have visited there a number of times since moving to Yeovil I knew where the Ibis was. Leaving everybody else at the hospital, Rhys and I got into our car and headed south into deepest, darkest Pompey.

Pulling up at the hotel we found a parking space and went into reception.

We explained that we had a room booked and who we were. "Sorry, we've not got any reservations in that name. Could you be booked into our Ibis Budget hotel?"

Quick phone call by the receptionist and yes, we're at the wrong hotel. Back in the car and 15 minutes later we'd parked near the correct hotel and were checking in at reception.

The room was fairly basic but good enough for the two of us to get some sleep.

The following morning we checked out as early as we could and headed back to the hospital.

Tracey's Dad was still on the ward but later was moved to a private room. Rhys went in an saw him, he was quite peaceful. 

We had breakfast before settling down to wait in the reception area. Every so often I'd pop to the room to see how things were or Rhys and I would go for a walk.

Eventually just before 3pm Tracey's Dad passed away. Rhys was in reception while the rest of us were in the room. It was very dignified and he will be missed so much by all of us, especially his daughters.

Rhys has been incredibly strong. Considering everything he had been through this year with biopsies, the operation to remove the tumour, knowing he has the meningioma and now the radiotherapy, he held himself together. He was also able to give comfort to the rest of us.

The coming weeks are going to be equally stressful, emotional and painful. Hopefully Rhys will continue to find the strength from wherever he finds it to get him through them.

40 something, 50 something

Rhys has his first session of radiotherapy yesterday morning and we go to see Dr Cameron about the results of the kidney scan.

We arrived at Sam's House Sunday evening and unpacked.  As soon as he could Rhys disappeared to the teenager's room to play pool. He's certainly making himself at home there. We saw him on and off during the remainder of the night as he went exploring the place.

There are a lot of other family's staying at Sam's and we met a few of them in the kitchen/dining area on our floor. We only saw one child, which is different to last time we stayed there. There doesn't appear to be any other teenagers staying at Sam's so it looks like Rhys might have the teenager's room to himself.

Dr Cameron came to see us just before Rhys' had his radiotherapy and told us that the scan had shown that both Rhys' kidney's were working fine, one was functioning at 40 something percent and the other at 50 something. Although they can't guarantee the effect of the radiotherapy on the kidneys they will be using a lower dose and aiming to avoid one of the kidneys as much as possible.

The rest of the day the morning was spent wandering around Ikea and doing a food shop so that Rhys and Tracey have something to eat.

Tracey and Rhys went into Cabots Circus in the afternoon after I left to make my way home. Almost as soon as I'd left Rhys started to complain about a pain in his side and so Tracey and him ended up at Oncology Daybeds so that he could be checked over. A couple of samples to check for signs of infection and he was sent back to Sam's with some painkillers which has eased the pain by the time I spoke with them about 7. 

Day 2 of radiotherapy today and hopefully Rhys will pop into Area 61, the teenage cancer unit, this afternoon and join in with their discussion group so that he has something to do otherwise this could be a long 6 weeks for him.

Time to Decamp

Suitcases are packed. Food and other necessities are in bags. Time for Rhys to head to Bristol so that he can start his radiotherapy.

Last Friday we had to go up for the planning session. All 15 minutes of it.

He had to lie on the bed while they took some measurements to make sure that everything would be lined up correctly when they start. He had at least one X-ray and then it was all done.

We were a bit frustrated because we'd expected to see the doctor but that wasn't the case.

Unfortunately that means that we still don't know what the results of the kidney scan were so we have no idea what the state of Rhys' kidneys will be at the end of the 6 weeks. The radiographer was going to contact the doctor to let her know that we wanted to speak with her. We'll be chasing that up tomorrow morning.

On Friday Tracey rang up CLIC House to confirm that we had a room and let them know that we'd be picking up the keys. She got told that although we did have a room booked that had been crossed out. Some phone calls by the staff and we found out that we were in Sam's House. The same place that we stayed when Rhys had his bone marrow transplant.

One of the staff gave us a tour so that we knew where everything was. Then she showed us to our room.

And would you believe it...

we are in the exact same room that we stayed in when he had his transplant.

6 years on and we are back in the same place. At least this time he gets to be and out and about a bit more. Who knows he might even manage to see the balloon festival and not just see the balloons flying by in the morning and evening which is what we've done every other time he's been in Bristol during treatment.