I just finished my first day of treatment. I did not need to wear a gown and they placed a piece of plastic on my stomach as the treatment is superficial. The Radiation Tech mentioned that I might have nausea and to tell them if I do. The oncologist mentioned that it might happen and that he can prescribe medication to help keep it under control. The tech asked if I had fatigue and mentioned that I would thus time as well. I did not think that I would. It surprises me the amount of fatigue that this can cause. Right now immediately after I feel tired. I am not sure if it because she told me that I feel it, but I can go for a nap right about now. Besides feeling tired right now, I do not feel too much nausea. Right after my appointment I spoke with the nutritionist/dietitian and she said that she would check in with me weekly. She told me that I should have something prescribed for nausea and that during treatment the expectation is that I will lose weight as that is what happens to most people. While chatting with her though the fatigue was gone as I had to focus and think a bit. When I am alone it gives me an opportunity to decompress I think and that is when my body feels fatigue. So to combat this all I need to do is work harder and get less rest.
Yesterday for our weekly recognition, Olivier said that I am a good cook and both kids are happy that I can cook well and whip up food for them. Of course I do not know how well this is going to work out over the next month or so but we will see. We had shakshuka for dinner with some sourdough bread which both kids love to eat. So Olivier recognized me for my culinary skills. Xavier said that both of his parents were smart. I realize right now that I am tired mentally as it is difficult to formulate ideas and thoughts in my head. My body is expending energy from the treatment. Exactly what I have no clue. I just sit there and get rid with radiation so I am not sure why it feels tired. The dietitian reinforced why being at the arena would be tired for me as the seats are not comfortable and it requires activation of my core the whole time. I had mentioned that I wanted to do something positive each day.
I will probably not always write them as it defeats the purpose if it seems that I am doing it to get praised. Since today was the start I had to overachieve. I brought in some treats to the radiation team and told them that their manager forced me to do it. They appreciated it and knew what they were. I do like to cause some mischief every now and then. In the cold the parking machines do not always work, and the one closest to me was non functioning for payment. I told several people it was not working and told them that they had to go to the front door. As I was leaving someone was trying to pay and I asked them how long they were going to be there for. They said an hour and as I had no idea how long my procedure was going to be i paid for 3 hours, so I had plenty of time left. Whenever Mel and I go somewhere and we have extra time left on our parking ticket, if it is not tied to our license plate we always try and give it to someone. People rarely go to the cancer center for a pleasant visit, but as I was leaving I did hear someone ring the bell for their final treatment which was nice. As I was sitting in the waiting room, a lot of patients were there with support people and most of them are older than I am. Right now I think that I can manage on my own, but I feel that in weeks 4 and 5 I may need assistance if things are trending the way it seems it will go. I was not expecting much fatigue after I day, even though everyone says that is the normal. What are the chances that everyone else is right and I am wrong. That would be inconceivable.
Quoc Hao