Free Transport to Radiotherapy Treatments
I am so lucky!
After I returned home from the 1st day’s radiotherapy treatment, I received a call from a gentleman. He was the driver for the transport for National Cancer Society of Singapore. And my request for free transportation to and from my home and the National Cancer Centre Singapore has been approved!
From the second day onwards, the transport would pick me up from the car park area downstairs my home. And after the radiotherapy treatment, they would send me back home.
No more uncomfortable MRT seats.
So, on the second day, around 12.30 pm, I made my way to the pick up area. The gentleman driver was very friendly and nice.
The van for the transport was medium sized. Enough to seat at least 6 to 8 people. And true enough, there would be other passengers. The driver informed me that there will be another couple joining the ride.
The couple was an elderly couple. A very sweet couple. The husband was receiving treatment for cancer. And the wife accompanied him for every session.
We didn’t really get to chat. Looked like we prefer the silence of the ride.
And that was nice for me. While the ride was bumpy, I did manage to get a little nap while en route. The type where you kind of just fall off to sleep, and wake up in a very short while.
Soon enough, we arrived at the Singapore General Hospital. And I alighted, and made my way to the radiotherapy treatment clinic.
Radiotherapy Side Effects
I arrived at the radiotherapy treatment center, and registered my attendance. Again, there was that wait time. Then came my turn, and I walked into the treatment rooms area.
Before the radiation treatment, I informed one of the radiotherapists that I had been experiencing a side effect of the radiotherapy. And that is of having fever.
She took note of that, and arranged for me to consult the medical doctor, after the radiotherapy was done. So, I laid down on the big radiotherapy machine bed again, and had the radiotherapy done for the second day.
Then, after the treatment, I was told to wait in the waiting room area. When the doctor was ready to see me, my registered number would appear to show which consultation room it was to be.
Radiotherapy Side Effects – The Fever
I entered the consultation room, and was surprised to see a young male doctor. Not my usual doctor. Then, I realized that they arranged for the doctor currently on duty to attend to patients like me.
The young doctor tried his best. He asked me about the fever symptom that I experienced the day before.
He showed most concern about the fever. He asked me what was the temperature? How high was it? Was it 38 degrees Celsius, or above?
I told him honestly that I had no idea. And admitted that we do not have a thermometer at my home. So, there was no way to know how high the fever was, or if it was above 38 degrees Celsius.
I did take special note to buy a thermometer. It sounds like this is an important medical tool to have during the cancer treatments.
But, from what I experienced, I told the young doctor that I felt it was a slight fever. No high temperature.
I had a bit of nausea and abdominal cramps. Nothing serious. Just sudden, quick and passing. Still, he prescribed some medication for the nausea and abdominal cramps.
Then, he advised me to observe my condition for the following days. To take note if the nausea, fever or any other symptoms get worse.
The fact that the doctor looked young did not inspire confidence in me. And true enough, his inexperience showed.
He was constantly referring to my charts and data to understand what was happening with me. Actually, this part is all right because I understand he is unfamiliar with my case.
But what irked me were the words he used when discussing my symptoms and side effects. He was always using the words – “I guess”.
I looked at him, and asked, “You guess? You mean, you don’t know?”
That made him uncomfortable, and he tried to recover from that embarrassing situation.
Understanding Which Radiotherapy Side Effects Are Most Serious
Well, when I reached home, I felt my body heating up again. But it’s mild. Like a slight fever.
After taking an aspirin, I took a nap. After a short nap, I woke up, and felt better.
While the doctor I consulted with earlier was young, I did learn some things about the side effects of radiotherapy. And that was there were side effects that are serious, and there are those that are mild, and the doctors were not concerned about.
From what I learned, fever is a side effect of concern. But, it has to be high fever. And, it has to be a longer experience.
If it was like what I experienced, mild and just a short while, then it is not serious. For this, I am grateful that the fever I had was not a serious side effect.
Another side effect they seemed most concerned about was bleeding. I noticed that e even though I never mentioned anything about blood or bleeding, the young doctor seemed very concerned, and asked about it.
Especially, when he heard about my mucus discharges from my rectal area. He asked if there was any bleeding or signs of blood. And he looked genuinely concerned.
I did not, and informed him that there was no blood or bleeding. Only, clear or translucent mucus. There were some light brown matter, but I was not sure what they were.
He asked if I took photos of those. I did not. Maybe I should, and show to the next physician.
At any rate, these are the 2 serious side effects that I know of at this point. And, I made special effort to observe, monitor my condition regarding these.
If you have ANY questions about this post, ANY at all, please submit your questions as comments below. I will be happy to help you out.
Wishing you good health and wealth.
Timotheus