Category Archives: Treatment

Radiotherapy is about to start

Posted in Bumpboobs, Radiotherapy Treatment, Treatment by

Tomorrow is radiotherapy.

From the experience of others, I’ve heard it’s not a difficult process: Go in. Lay down. Get Radiated. Leave. And that was a relief to hear, but not entirely relieving. Tomorrow is radiotherapy, which means tomorrow I’ll start another bout of hospital visits and another therapy that could possibly give me more cancer in fifteen to twenty years time. Okay, so it is a small possibility, but nevertheless . . . (wouldn’t it be nice if there was a medical therapy that wouldn’t possibly give me cancer in fifteen, twenty, thirty years time? Yes. It would be nice.)

And this will help kill any lingering cancer cells in the right chest area.

It is my great and ardent hope that at this moment there are no cancer cells remaining. All the cancer cells have vacated the body, with my recovering immune system accompanying them to the door. Good bye and good riddance. But, if there are some lingering little buggers who think they’ve escaped – I have a message for you:

DIE.

And leave me alone.

I’ve never wished death on any person, nor would I – and I certainly don’t wish it upon myself. But sometimes we need to be tough; we need to survive (think animal kingdom and our omnivore roots). And cancer isn’t a person, it’s a disease. Besides, I’m feeling a bit shitty about having to do radiotherapy – so funnelling that frustration into some anger bullets for cancer-hunting is constructive.

BANG! goes the cancer.

At least, that’s what I’m aiming for.

…

Frig. I’m still freaking nervous.  Frig. Frig. Frig.

Time for a cup of tea

Posted in After treatment, Bumpboobs, Food, Treatment by

So here I am sitting at Tragos alone. Alone except for my computer and you, because while writing a post isn’t the purpose of my visit to the coffee shop, I’m pretty pleased to be here and thought it was worth sharing. The original purchase of my laptop was made with the intention of daily visits to Tragos (or the library) while Zsolt wrote his thesis. We thought I could get out of his hair in the mornings.

Well, you-know-what ruined that idea. But nine months later here we are, tea on the table and a gluten free (chocolate) muffin ready to be enjoyed. This blog has been a frequent advertisement for my local coffee/tea/tapas/drinks shop – Tragos in Southampton, and while I’ve come here a tad too often, it’s important to have a place of escape.

Anyhow. That’s it. Here I am, about to get writing. Creating a bumpyboobs post doesn’t count as proper writing; it’s catching up with friends. Chatting a la keyboard.

Okay. I’m OUTTIE FIVE THOUSAND.

Catherine

How to rub your belly

Posted in After treatment, Bumpboobs, Fun, Treatment by

Just got back from my Southampton acupuncturist. Her message for the day: rub your belly! Belly rubs don’t just feel good, they help with digestion which means the body absorbs more nutrients, more energy and functions better. “Have I told you the story?” she asks. “Nope.” I reply.

Apparently she was watching the television and this prominent acupuncture doctor, now eighty years old, was being interviewed. He was showing off his hair, his teeth, his muscles, saying he’s one healthy man. And his secret (at which point she lowers her voice and leans in close), he massages his stomach every day.

How do you massage your stomach? This is what she told me. It’s not exact advice, so if you have a sensitive stomach or any kind of concern, please don’t start rubbing your belly on my account. Be sensible.

Right, so you ‘find the middle line’, which is essentially a vertical line that runs from your solar plexus to a bit below the belly button.  And you poke it. Just poke away.

Next you poke along the horizontal axis (essentially around your belly button again).

Lastly you rub the area in circles. Not too hard, just a light massage.

Also, she likes to give a little heat to the area. I guess this can be done with a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, laid across the stomach.

Every morning she pokes and strokes her belly – “Get the digestion moving. Good for the bowels. Good for the energy. Make immune system better.” That’s what she tells me. Frankly I often forget to rub my belly (and meditate, eat broccoli, take my supplements, get enough exercise) . . .  so these visits are great reminders.

I’m rubbing my stomach right now, more from hunger (lunch is cooking) but it’s the right track.