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dancing james
Three month MRI scan results yesterday, and very good news.
The original tumour has completely gone. It's actually a bit weird, because I never saw it (except on an ultrasound screen) and now it's gone, so the whole thing seems a bit surreal. It might never have been there at all.
Chemo and Radio were actually better than I was expecting. They were still pretty shit, but I'm sure I never looked as ill as some people I bumped into during my various treatments. Chemo in particular was almost easy. I think managing to keep the hair helped, although the moustache did fall out over the course of a weekend (it's now almost back to "graspable extremity"), and my only real side effect apart from general listlessness was annoying nosebleeds.
Radiotherapy was a breeze for the first month, then I started to lose my voice and lose the ability to swallow. The last week of treatment (week 6) and the following 2 weeks of radiation sickness before my body started to recover were horrible, nil by mouth and communicating with a notebook and pencil, but I managed to get myself out of bed every day.
I've come out the other end two stone lighter, which should make the surrey hills a bit more bearable once I start training again. Hopefully I'll be able to make use of the place I've been allocated in the Dragon Ride, and maybe even the Al-Andalus...
I still have a gastric tube, which is coming out soon, and I'm having to eat really small meals. Eating is now a chore, rather than a pleasure, but that's probably better for me in the long run. I've also got a nasty case of lymphoedema, which is a harmless side effect of the radiotherapy which gives me a cartoon-like double chin. Apparently it can be sorted out with massage, and sleeping in a contraption which looks like some kind of fetish appliance.
Doctors are still unsure about two lymph nodes in my neck, on each side of the original cancer. I'll have ultrasound and probably another biopsy soon after the new year, and we'll take it from there.
My business now is to enjoy Christmas and make sure my two nieces eat far too much cake.
Have a good one, all of you.