... and where are we zapping you today?

This is the question Mum was asked by the radiotherapy technicians this afternoon when she went in for her latest treatment (not because they didn't know what she was there for; the question was one of their cross-checks to ensure against any mistaken patient identity issues).

This time, she had a one-off treatment at a higher dose rate, rather than the lower-dose, daily treatments for a fortnight that she had last time. 

This time, the second spinal tumour (at T8) was the main target, as well as a spot on Mum's right hip that was shown up as a 'hot spot' on her recent bone scan, and which may be connected in some way with the pain Mum experiences in her hip when walking.

When Mum was receiving her treatment today, the technicians warned her that she might feel 'pretty sick' in the next few days, as the radiation dose was 'pretty high'. In preparation for this, I had already increased her dose of dexamethasone (an anti-inflammatory steriod given to reduce inflammation at the site of treatment, that also helps to decrease nausea and increase appetite); and given her one of the super-duper anti-nausea tablets (that are only allowed to be prescribed for patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapy), so we were as prepared as we could be.

Tonight, after what could euphemistically be called 'dinner' (all Mum could stomach was one-and-a half party pies and a few sips of orange juice- not because of the treatment; this is a pretty normal representation of her appetite in recent days), Mum started to feel some tight pain in her upper back and stomach. The pain was similar to what she experiences with reflux, but the usual things that relieve her reflux didn't make any impact on the pain this time. It seems that the pain was probably an after-effect of today's radiation, so I suggested she take an Endone and lie down on the lounge to try to get comfortable. Fortunately, once the Endone kicked in, the pain abated a bit, and she was able to have her evening cuppa and go to bed. 

I have I feeling that tonight's episode was a foretaste of things to come in the next few days, so I'm girding my loins, making sure we have plenty of stock of all the meds Mum will need to keep her comfortable over the weekend, and praying hard.