Radiotherapy

I was prescribed 12 doses of radiotherapy on my spinal column.   The radiotherapy sessions were scheduled on 25 January 2012 to 9 February 2012, excluding weekends.

Sometime around the middle of January 2012, I went for marking, which included some tattooed points.

Most part of my spinal column was affected, but the radiologist picked two most critical spots to be treated.  They were concerned that the tumours may grow bigger and pressed on my spinal cord and which may affect my ability to walk.

The treatment is not usually on one affected vertebra alone and will include the one before and after.  My treatment spots were T5, T6, T7 and T8 (thoracic), and T11, T12, L1 and L2 (thoracic and lumbar).

I had to lie flat on my back and the staff align my body for the therapy.  Each radiotherapy session lasted about 5 minutes or so.  Apart from the machine making a lot of noise, I did not feel any heat at all.  The only discomfort I had was lying supine as I had pleural effusion and had breathing problem, and my left leg where I was having problems with my sciatic nerve and, during alignment of my body, sometimes my leg hurts.

After the first session, I was totally exhausted and during the trip home by cab, I kept wanting to fall asleep.  In fact, after every session, I would sleep when I reached home.

I had shortness of breath, my leg hurt and I was very weak, that whenever the attendant at the National Cancer Centre see me arriving by cab, he would quickly offer me a wheelchair.  How observant and caring he is, I am so grateful for that.

A friend had advised me to eat steamed, big Chinese pear to soothe my dry throat.  I should have taken aloe vera as well, as I soon realised that I would be wakened up at night by my very dry mouth and throat.

Soon, by 5 or 6 in the morning, I would be perspiring profusely around my neck and head area, even though I was sleeping in an air-conditioned room.


By the eighth dose of radiotherapy, I had difficulty swallowing.  I had been concerned about my spinal cord being burnt, and I forgot that my gullet would be affected as well.

I wanted to stop, but the radiologist insisted I complete at least 10 doses.  She also said that my throat would take 2 weeks to recover.

The last 2 doses of radiotherapy caused me much suffering.  My appetite was already poor, and with problem swallowing my food, it was worse.  I had to take small mouthfuls, chewed thoroughly and try to swallow bit by bit.  Even then, the swallowing part was terrible.  I felt like I had swallowed too big a mouthful and the food was choking in my gullet.  It was worse when the gas came up from my stomach, and it felt like traffic jam in my gullet.  I cold not finish my food and, anyway, it always turned cold too.  If I had a choice, I would rather not eat nor drink anything as the suffering was just too much.

I thought that room temperature water might soothe my gullet, but it was a terrible mistake.  Just a small sip and I felt like I had swallowed something prickly, the water took a long time to go down and the pain was excruciating.  I could only place my palms on my chest and could not even utter a single word.  I realised that warm water was easier to swallow.

At the end of one week or so, I had had enough, I could not take it anymore.  I called my Master for help.  With his blessing, I realised that the next day, my misery had ended.  I could eat my first full meal in days and swallow without problem.  Thank you very much, Master.