ARNSIDE TOWER

A very tiring but important day today.

The train arrived spot on time and we had no problems at all thank heavens.  We got a taxi straight away, but of course, as we always do, we arrived super early, so we popped over to Booths Supermarket Cafe, right opposite the Preston Hospital for coffee and croissant - all very delicious.

We then made our way over to the Rosemere Cancer Centre within the hospital, down these never ending corridors that Preston Hospital is famous for - even the guy on the Information Desk said "if you get to Blackpool Tower" you've gone too far!!!!

A comfortable waiting area.  Whilst there a bell rang and everyone clapped - this is the bell that everyone rings when they are told they are cancer free.  This is a very emotional and humbling experience, even when you have no idea who it is that rang the bell!!

We were seen by a Senior Medical Practioner, who was really really lovely. She bombarded us with facts at a fast rate of knots, but still kept checking we understood everything.

Basically I have to have 5 days of Intensive Radiotherapy, followed by 5 days of a boost - so 10 days in all.  This may not start on a Monday, just whenever it can be slotted in.

I am having to have this because my cancer "was" so very far back and close to the back wall.  Apparently these days for stage 1, some people can have the surgery and then after check ups that's it, but some need further treatment and I am one of those.  Fair enough, it was good to have it all explained.

This does mean that it is still touch and go as to whether we will make our Fife holiday, but being such a fabulous Medical Practitioner she is going to recommend that it is all finished by 11th April.  If that works out I will be very tired and will need lots of rest so mustn't go on an adrenolin filled holiday - no problem there. 

She is also requesting that due to the distance we have to travel for 10 days (with at least one weekend break inbetween) that we get allocated a room at Bowland House, which is accommodation for patients and one other if they are having to undergo radiotherapy. Apparently its, clean but basic, in that you get a room with an en-suite but have to share a kitchen.  It's all free but they do request donations to keep it running - no problem there.

I had to sign some papers, of course.  I will receive a letter detailing everything within the next few days, then sometime within the next three weeks I will receive a phone call from Bookings Team with some dates, that is when we will know about our holiday.

To be honest I can't ask fairer than that and I know they will do their best.

We had to wait for a while to get a taxi back to the station.  The train in before ours was going to Glasgow, it arrived in on time but then something must have happened on the train as it was then going to be delayed and a lot of people got off!!!  For us this just meant that we had to go over to another platform.  Our train left, just a few minutes late.  The only troublee is we sat just a little further down from a family with young girls, who were no problem but their iPads were - they were playing very loud games with tinny music and it has given us an awful headache!!!! So glad we didn't have to travel a very long distance with all that noise!!!

The photo is taken from the train so please forgive it not being the best photo ever but a pleasant view nonetheless.

That's it now, I am totally exhausted and full of so much information that I now need to let it all sink in.

I will catch up with you all tomorrow if that is OK!!

Do take care and stay safe and I will see you all tomorrow.