This is starting to get boring – the blog, that is. The third full week of treatment was like the second. I feel about the same. Over this past weekend I noticed a little irritation at the site where the radiation is given. That’s normal. I alternated between lotion and petroleum jelly on the area. There is a medicated gel that can be prescribed. It also seems my bladder is irritated. This is common for organs near the radiation site. The sensation is similar to a bladder infection. I check my temperature daily, as directed by one of my doctors, and it has stayed between 98.0 and 99.0. I don’t think there is an infection since my temperature is normal and irritation of the bladder in particular is common during radiation for rectal tumors. I’ll let my radiation oncologist know about both issues during my next visit.
There was a bit a bad news during the week when I was told my medical oncologist, Dr. Clark, had broken her arm and would require surgery. Then I was told she had previously informed everyone she would be leaving. Work had already begun to assign her patients to other doctors, but her broken arm has accelerated the transition. Dr. Clark is my favorite doctor among those I have encountered this year. An appointment with her is much like a visit with a friend. She is genuinely interested in all aspects of my health and asks lots of questions. I will certainly miss her. A lot of the people I met with during the week knew her and had similar feelings.
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