Weekly Radiation Update
Now that we have switched over to the final "Boost" sessions of the radiation, I have more questions to ask.
So I asked one of the Technicians: "Now, that the machine is directly above me, and pointed straight down - how do I know that radiation isn't going directly into my heart?"
He very happily shared his knowledge with me.
The regular radiation is Protons, The Boost radiation is Electrons - or do I have that backwards ? (All I know is I failed chemistry in High School, so don't expect me to keep it straight.)
What I do know for sure is:
The regular radiation type goes all the way through - thats why they aim from the side, so it shoots through the breast.
The "boost" radiation type scatters and disperses pretty quickly - thats why they can aim it right at me.
So much for our chemistry lesson for the day.
I played the Game of "Getting the Doctors Attention" - since our last appointment did not go very well, and I was so upset because The Radiation Doctor refused to refer me to the lymphedema specialist.
I let it drop to the technicians that I "was at the end of my rope" and I wasn't going to finish my treatments. I told them how distressed I was about the swelling and the burning, and I just couldn't take it anymore.
(Those Acting Lessons are coming in handy these days.)
As I expected, the Radiation Doctor listened to what the Technicians told him - When he wouldn't listen to me when I said the same exact thing directly to his face.
Either that, or my regular Family Doctor told him that I had stopped by to be check by him because I wasn't happy with the way things were going.
Whatever - when I went in to one of my appointments, there was an envelope in my file. The technician gave to me, and it was the prescription for the lymphodema specialist.
Oh, thats all I wanted - now I was as happy as a Clam.
And, when it was time for my weekly appointment with the Radiation Doctor, he was kind and attentive. Total change from the last time I saw him.
I told him how happy I was to have my Prescription for the Lymphedema Specialist.
He said again "I really don't think you need it. The swelling will go away on its own."
I said "Yes, but I don't want the swelling to get worse. And I know if it doesn't help me physically, it will make me feel so much better psychologically."
Yes, I said that - I had to explain to a medically trained doctor the importance of my psychological health.
Maybe after this is over, someone will give me a university degree. (Theatre Arts, please - medicine is not my forte.)
I showed him my awful burn in my armpit and down my side.
The skin had been peeling off. It didn't look like skin - it looked like burnt marshmallow.
I said "This radiation is worse than the surgery. I swear, this is harder on me than the surgery was."
Then I said "You know this weekend, when I took off my bra ...."
The doctor finished my sentence for me: "Oh, did some skin stick to the bra ? Yes, that happens."
Oh ... my ... GAWD !!!!
Warn me why don't cha ?
The Doctor said "Well, we told you that you would burn. Its just like if you were on the beach, and you got a sunburn."
I replied "A sunburn is one layer of skin, and it flakes off white. This is like four layers of skin and its almost black. What beach do you sunbathe on ? Is it on Mercury - the planet closest to the sun ? Because thats the only beach I know of that would give you a sunburn like this."
He just looked at me after that response.
We went over my other symptoms. Mainly being tired. I told him that I only go out on the weekends, and try to do things where I am sitting down so I don't get worn out. And that I have pretty much been staying home after work because weekdays are when
I am the most tired.
The Nurse said "You are tired just because you are driving back and forth."
I looked her straight in the eye and said "No, its because you are putting Radiation in my body."
The doctor just looked at the nurse. I think he finally figured out that you can't pull crap over on me.
We went over my schedule. 2 more "Boosts" followed by 7 more days of regular Radiation.
They swear I will not burn any more. That the swelling won't get worse. That all that baby skin thats exposed after the peeling will not be hurt from the radiation.
"If I have any more problems, I will get feisty. I will not be a good patient" I told him.
The nurse said "Will I have to get in between the two of you and break up a fight ?"
"Yes, you will." I said.
We counted it out all on the calendar.
My last Radiation Treatment is December 19.
"Oh, No - thats my Birthday ! Not my birthday !" I exclaimed.
The Doctor and Nurse looked at my chart, and laughed. Yep, thats my birthday.
Well, I guess on Dec 19 - I will have more than one reason to celebrate.
