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  Another side effect associated with the radiotherapy was physical fatigue. For the last week of treatment and the following few days, I spent most of the time asleep. My wife woke me up and drove me to and from the hospital for treatment twice each day. She also made sure I took my medication, nourishment and fluids, all of which were administered via my PEG tube. 

   During the period of my radiotherapy I was unfortunate enough to acquire a couple of separate bacterial infections, one associated with my stoma and the other possibly through my mouth. Both responded quickly to antibiotics but meant a few days in hospital under observation. The antibiotics also made me nauseous, something I hadn't noticed previously with similar medication. Being in hospital had one advantage in that it meant my wife could get a few nights of well deserved, uninterrupted sleep at home.

  My final treatment sessions were on September eleventh, and I was even more relieved that they were finished than when they had begun. The radiographers removed the mask for the last time, wished me well, and reiterated the oncologist's warning that the side effects would peak in about two weeks time. At least now I didn't have to travel to the hospital twice a day feeling exhausted, often nauseous, and clutching a plastic bag containing a bowl and box of tissues. We had telephone numbers so that it was possible to contact a member of the cancer team at any time if we had concerns or questions, and I attended a hospital clinic every Monday, during and after the therapy.

  Now the course of radiotherapy was complete, I had to wait for the damaged healthy cells to recover while the cancerous cells hopefully would not. Nine weeks after the end of treatment would be the time for a detailed assessment of the tumour site and how successful the radiotherapy had been.