and following reports

Boy - I've just read my last post, and realise I've left you hanging!  I am so sorry!  So much has happened since then and I haven't kept you up to date.

Well......at 9.30am on that Wednesday I returned to the hospital, having only consumed fluids, to have my next xray.  I took a packed bag with me in case I was admitted to hospital. This xray revealed that there was no kink in the bowel and no other dastardly problems with the bowel except that it was still blocked. The best remedy for this problem is an enema (yuk).  Anyway, the best remedy was used then and there at the hospital - it had it's desired effect and I went home, with my packed bag not needed, and with instructions to return on Friday, have an xray and then see the doctor.  Remain on fluids until Friday.

Friday's xray showed a clear bowel and I could return to a normal diet. After 9 days on fluids only, I was ready to eat a horse. Radiotherapy to resume the following Monday. Needless to say I went away from the hospital with my friend, Ros, straight to one of our favourite cafes and I had a delicious breakfast of poached eggs on toast and a pot of tea. Most delicious.

Since then I have resumed radiation and am feeling fine. It's Wednesday 29 February, it's pouring with rain, it's my 13th dose of radtion today, which means only 7 more to go. I'm still taking loads of pain killers and am not in any pain.  It will be interesting to see the outcome of the radiation after the 20 doses. I hope it has shrunk the tumour and caused the offending muscle swelling to decrease. We'll see.