5) Irradiation in the Radboud Hospital (September-October 2002)
Now began to spread to cause difficulty swallowing. Initially, for small problems. Later, she admits. On August 12, 2002, Peter can not do anything to swallow, even water. He is admitted to the ENT department, where on August 16 a nasogastric tube placed. On the advice of Dr. Peter Bolhuis arrange with the vendor that it will drip-feed soy-based.
On August 22 (almost three months after the start of the first consultation at the Radboud Hospital!) Finally started treatment. Radiation, consisting of 30 daily radiation sessions, with a very high dose. It seemed at that time the only adequate approach because halsklierdissectie was excluded and we have no other radical methods were known.
The side effects of radiation are initially participate. No burned skin, barely fatigue. Peter runs every day of the 20 km to the hospital. A year later, we know that the radiation inside the body it has led to serious side effects. The irradiation resulted in edema, which press against the esophagus and thus causing huge problems swallowing. If the first tumor and then quickly treated differently, had life now is very different view. But Professor Vogl knew we did not. And the seriousness of the situation was so great that a radical approach like radiation seemed inevitable.
Initially dominates the success feeling. After two weeks reduce swallowing problems after six weeks and Peter could swallow solid foods again without problems. This immediately implies a significant improvement in quality of life!
If two weeks after the treatment the physician assistant radiotherapy pleased finds that the tumor size is reduced greatly, Peter immediately announced that the probe can be removed now. The doctor is opposed to this initially, but finally concludes the inevitable: you control your own body. That a probe a significant deterioration in the quality of life means a physician seems to have no point of consideration. On October 23, 2002, the probe is removed. Another significant gain for the quality of life.
