"Cancer Treatment Last Year"

I was treated in Forth Valley Royal and the Beatson (Gartnavel) last year for a Nasopharyngeal Tumour. One real positive I can take from my diagnosis is that I have seen our NHS at it's very best. Having never really been ill before it was a daunting prospect, age 57, to be facing cancer. 

The double chemotherapy, I found to be fine. I religiously took the medication prescribed to me to help me through this stage of my treatment and even managed to complete part of the West Highland Way while connected to a chemotherapy pump. 

I did find the radiotherapy or rather its side effects to be rather brutal. When I look back there are negatives in terms of the side effects of the treatments but there are so many positives I can take from my experience. I feel fortunate that I have met some of the most dedicated professionals ever, many of whom I can only describe as inspirational. Consultants, Doctors, Nurses, Radiography Staff, Radiologists, Pharmacists, Auxiliary Nurses, Receptionists, Domestic Staff who all played their part in turning a potentially life threatening diagnosis into a positive experience. 

Today I have to wear hearing aids since my hearing was affected by the chemotherapy drugs. The high likelihood of this happening was explained to me by my oncology doctor prior to my treatment commencing. I have been given great hearing aids to overcome this deficiency so I don't see this as a problem. I have no back teeth in the top of my mouth since they had to be removed prior to the radiotherapy commencing. Again not a problem, I watch what I eat and will at some point in the future get my dentist to address this. I also have a dry mouth and throat at times but this seems to be improving. I do not consider any of these lasting side effects to be life changing, they will not hinder my progress in any way. In a strange way they serve as a constant reminder of how lucky I am to have come through cancer treatment and still be on the right side of the turf, three stones lighter. 

I am very fortunate that my wife is a nurse who supported me through my cancer journey as did the rest of my family. My wife's knowledge of cancer (though not head and neck cancers) helped us through. In the close future I would like to offer my services to support others who find themselves in the position I once was. Support is needed not only for the patient but also for the family and friends of the patient. Recovery is long and at times improvement seems to almost grind to a halt. I remember my wife saying 'don't look back at how you were feeling yesterday think back a fortnight. How were you feeling then'? 

I hold both the Forth Valley Royal Staff and (Gartnavel) Beatson Staff involved in my treatment in the very highest regard  and will be forever grateful for their dedication.