Thirty-seventh - and final - appointment

Friday, 9th September, 2011

Again - no block of the day.

We arrived early and stopped off at the WRVS cafe to have a bacon buttie! And then Richard went through to book in. His appointment was 12.05 p.m., and he went on more or less on time. By 12.45 p.m. we were in the car and on our way home! Fantastic!

I texted various people with the news 'finished' and had some choice replies - thanks Lucy! Just the right note perhaps? We drove over to Dunham and the Axe and Cleaver to join John, Margaret, Brian, Judith, Ferdi and Madeleine. After our late breakfast, we didn't feel like eating anything but it felt good to be celebrating the end of the journey with family and friends.

Richard now has to go back on 27th October - after a PSA blood test - for a clinic appointment at Warrington General, and then will go every two months for a while to make sure that everything is working as it should.

So - in the words of Bugs Bunny - that's all, folks! And in the spirit of the cinema, we have to list some credits -

• All the radiographers, doctors, clinic staff, WRVS ladies and all the rest of the staff at the Oncology Centre, Clatterbridge, for their wonderful care and treatment. And I suppose for all the people who invented and maintained the amazing machinery that has been zapping Richard for the past 37 appointments. There have been days when it hasn't worked as it should, but where would we be without it all.



• All the friends and family who have been following this blog and for their care and good wishes. It may be the most boring blog going, but it's been fun to do and it's kept everyone up to date.



• The SAAB for getting us there without any problems. Approximately 2,220 miles travelled and I've lost track of how much fuel used - but it will be a lot! And at least there were no car parking fees to pay!



• Some good friends made among the fellow patients. There is something about being amongst others who are going through the same thing that makes it all more bearable.



• Chris and Tony for giving up their time to take Richard over to the Wirral so that I could attend my exhibition. They had a good time, having lunch in pubs etc., but they have been good friends and are greatly appreciated.

So - this is the end of the blog. If we have any more journeys worthy of note in the future, it may be resurrected.

Christine

Thirty-sixth appointment

Thursday, 8th September, 2011

Block of the day - no block today. All blocks have been quilted! Now they just have to be joined, requilted, bordered, etc.

A very odd day today. Fitting perhaps as we're nearly at the end of all this. We arrived at 2.15 p.m. (we managed to listen to the Archers - poor Bridge Farm) and went through to book in. Richard was sent round to the clinic area to see Dr. Tolan. We went in more or less straight away, and it was a repeat of the appointment Richard had a couple of weeks ago. Dr. Tolan asked how he was, Richard replied to say 'not too bad, thanks' and that was almost that. We have to go to Warrington General in six weeks time for a check-up - which will include a psa blood test - and after that he will go there every two months, again following a psa test. Everyone seems very pleased with how things have gone, and we can only hope that the blood tests will confirm this when we go for the follow-up clinic visits.

We returned to the V10-4 area - which was very quiet and empty - and Richard did the usual chores. While he was in the loo, the volunteer lady who does hand and foot massages appeared, and I had a lovely massage of both hands and arms. Very relaxing. While this was going on, a radiotherapy lady appeared and whisked Richard off to the V10-6 machine. No fault on the V10-4 but we think that the radiotherapists were short of something to do! I followed him round once my massage was finished - thank you volunteer lady! Once round there, the girls behind the desk called out the name of another chap who had been left at the first area - they had actually brought the wrong notes round! After much scurrying about to get the right notes, he went through and we left at around 3.45 p.m.

Straight home for tea and a piece of cake. We both feel very tired today, but so pleased that we've only one more day to go. Wonder how Jack is getting on?

Last posting tomorrow - hooray!

Christine

Thirty-fifth appointment

Wednesday, 7th September, 2011

Block of the day - Pineapple

Considering that 'our' machine, the V10-4, is now completely out of action, we got through today's session very quickly. We were taken round to the V10-6 at around 11.15 a.m., and Richard got zapped at around 12.45 - only 40 minutes later than he would have been seen if he'd been on time. By 1.00 p.m. we were on our way home. Stopped off at the bakers in the village for a bite to eat and now about to watch the cycle racing from Spain. Oh joy!

Appointment with the consultant tomorrow and just two more radiotherapy appointments.

Christine

Thirty-fourth appointment

Tuesday, 6th September, 2011

Block of the day - Hearts and Tulips

Our lovely V10-4 machine wasn't playing ball today! It's been running perfectly for the past couple of weeks, but today something went very wrong. When we arrived around 11.15 a.m., there were people who had been waiting an hour or more. Oh dear! Eventually we were taken round to the other machine and, after a half an hour or so there, Richard went through at around 1.15 p.m. Not too bad considering. Hope the machine is better tomorrow. Richard is doing very well with all this, but is somewhat tired.

We met a father and daughter from Cinnamon Brow, the father having a similar but very different regime for his prostate cancer. The daughter, over from Qatar, was using her laptop. Obviously, within the hospital, there is wi-fi and I could have taken my laptop and done these blogs there. Bit late now!

Back again tomorrow for appointment 35.

Christine

Thirty-third appointment

Monday, 5th September, 2011

Block of the day - Reverse Applique

Back to the usual routine today. We arrived at the Centre at just after 11.00 a.m. The machine was working slightly late and Richard finally went through to be zapped at 1.10 p.m. There was an amazing book sale going on in the cafe and we bought some books - one the new Rick Stein book on his 'Spain' series and some children's books for Christmas presents. Excellent value.

We stopped off at Costco to buy some bulbs for the garden and, of course, spent more than we meant to, and we also had a bit of lunch there. Sadly the frozen vanilla machine wasn't working so I couldn't indulge in my favourite. Next time perhaps!

Home again, back tomorrow. Can't believe we're nearly at the end of it all.

Christine

Thirty-second appointment

Friday, 2nd September, 2011

Again - no block of the day! This should be returned to the blog on Monday.

Richard went to Clatterbridge today with Tony, and everything again went very well, on time, and afterwards some suitable establishment was visited for lunch. Thanks to Tony and Chris for their help this week.

Weekend off and back again on Monday for our final week.

Christine

Thirty-first appointment

Thursday, 1st September, 2011

Block of the day - sorry, again no block of the day. More important things to do!

Richard went over to Clatterbridge with another good friend - Chris - and everything was fine and on time. An extensive tour of the Wirral was then embarked on.

Another day with a good friend tomorrow - who will it be this time?

Only six more appointments to go!

Christine