Broke Down
Went yesterday for chemo and then went across the street for rad treatment and the machine was broke down. The tech said the repairman would be there in about an hour. Needless to say I didn't wait. Tech said we will call if we don't get it fixed. So today I went to take back my chemo pump went across the street and guess what? Yep still broke. My appt. is at 10:00 and the tech said he didn't know if it would be fixed by noon. Again I did not wait. They didn't seem to concerned about me missing treatments so I am not going to worry about it either. Only thing is now when I should have been done April 8th originally it's gonna drag into the next week the 12th. Irritating to say the least. I want to get this S### over with!!!!
Also it seems my docs can't make up their minds sometimes. Saw my Med Onco Monday and asked her if I had only one more treatment as she had originally told me 5 treatments of Cisplatin and 5 treatments of 5FU. Next week would have been 5. OH NO, your treatment continues as long as you are receiving radiation. Said she told me that originally. Got her on that one. I am typing challenged, 2 fingers, so I carry a recorder instead of taking notes. She seemed unappreciative of this. All I can say is GET OVER IT MAM? Like I said earlier, Iwant to get this S### over with!!!!
Sincerely,
The whiner
Steve
P.S. Now I know what that FU stands for in 5FU. LOL HA HA HA
Comments
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Broke Down
Steve: Can't blame you for wanting to get the radiation over with. The machine broke down on me one time during my treatments and there was another time that weather forced the cancellation of my radiation. I understand, once you get in the mindset to complete this horrible crap you want to get it over with. At the end I had completed 34 of my 35 treatments on a Friday morning. Instead of coming back for another day the next week I talked them into giving me two treatments in one day. The doc said that would be fine as long as I had about six hours between treatments. Good luck with your continued treatments and God Bless.0 -
Argh!!
How frustrating - rads is nobody's idea of a good time, but wish your machine had been fixed quickly, and you could've gotten treated. I was bummed the day my machine was broken, because, like you, it bumped my treatment to another week. Then, last week, my table was broken, so I finished rads yesterday instead of last Friday. Yep, FINISHED.
And, yep - gotta agree on the 5FU.
Keep it up,
- Pam0 -
FINISH LINEPam M said:Argh!!
How frustrating - rads is nobody's idea of a good time, but wish your machine had been fixed quickly, and you could've gotten treated. I was bummed the day my machine was broken, because, like you, it bumped my treatment to another week. Then, last week, my table was broken, so I finished rads yesterday instead of last Friday. Yep, FINISHED.
And, yep - gotta agree on the 5FU.
Keep it up,
- Pam
Hi Pam,
Great news! I am so glad to hear you finished. Now on to being back in charge of your life!
Hang in there and keep posting and let us know how you are. Speaking of that, just how are you doing?
Best,
Steve0 -
Hey, Stevestevenl said:FINISH LINE
Hi Pam,
Great news! I am so glad to hear you finished. Now on to being back in charge of your life!
Hang in there and keep posting and let us know how you are. Speaking of that, just how are you doing?
Best,
Steve
My machine broke down a couple of times too, but thankfully, they were able to get it fixed and I was able to get my treatment the same day it was scheduled. There was no doubt about how much chemo I was supposed to get and when, though. Your experience is kind of strange.
Best of luck to you.
--Jim in Delaware0 -
Dittodelnative said:Hey, Steve
My machine broke down a couple of times too, but thankfully, they were able to get it fixed and I was able to get my treatment the same day it was scheduled. There was no doubt about how much chemo I was supposed to get and when, though. Your experience is kind of strange.
Best of luck to you.
--Jim in Delaware
Not uncommon, Steve. All the way across the state of Illinois in Chicagoland is where the repairman was to fix the rad used on me, and I was told the repair was a typical 3-hour thing. Happened twice- they called me beforehand the second time, so I didn't have to make the trip. It really doesn't upset the applecart of treatment:
Steve, keep something in mind- the treatment just needs to be completed, and the time it takes is not super-critical. I was too sick to get my scheduled rads in weeks #5 and #6, and it was not that big of a deal to the Drs. First four days of week #6 were spent in a hospital, so they did know the straits I was on. Thus, my rads were interrupted by two weeks, in addition to two days when their machine was down. And, it is better for them to realize the machine isn't working properly, than for it to malfunction with your rad session, and who knows what might happen. Patience is not an easy thing to find, but it is the wiser route to take. Get right down to it, I was kinda happy when the machine broke down, Steve- meant a day I didn't have to go thru it all, you know.
Hang in there, Steve. How's the nutrition thing going?
kcass0 -
SteveKent Cass said:Ditto
Not uncommon, Steve. All the way across the state of Illinois in Chicagoland is where the repairman was to fix the rad used on me, and I was told the repair was a typical 3-hour thing. Happened twice- they called me beforehand the second time, so I didn't have to make the trip. It really doesn't upset the applecart of treatment:
Steve, keep something in mind- the treatment just needs to be completed, and the time it takes is not super-critical. I was too sick to get my scheduled rads in weeks #5 and #6, and it was not that big of a deal to the Drs. First four days of week #6 were spent in a hospital, so they did know the straits I was on. Thus, my rads were interrupted by two weeks, in addition to two days when their machine was down. And, it is better for them to realize the machine isn't working properly, than for it to malfunction with your rad session, and who knows what might happen. Patience is not an easy thing to find, but it is the wiser route to take. Get right down to it, I was kinda happy when the machine broke down, Steve- meant a day I didn't have to go thru it all, you know.
Hang in there, Steve. How's the nutrition thing going?
kcass
Check and make sure that they don't shut down for one of the days dealing with Easter. They hacked me off last year when they all took off for Memorial Day and I was on rad day 32 outta 35.0 -
Finished!Pam M said:Argh!!
How frustrating - rads is nobody's idea of a good time, but wish your machine had been fixed quickly, and you could've gotten treated. I was bummed the day my machine was broken, because, like you, it bumped my treatment to another week. Then, last week, my table was broken, so I finished rads yesterday instead of last Friday. Yep, FINISHED.
And, yep - gotta agree on the 5FU.
Keep it up,
- Pam
Pam;
I'm so happy for you! Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment. You and Steve are my inspirations.
Deb L.0 -
Frustrating as hell
The machine broke on me three times, the sad part is they had two machine and both were broken at the same time. With all the money they make on them you would think they would have a full time repairman on the spot.
You are getting there Steve so don’t give up my friend0 -
E O TD Lewis said:Finished!
Pam;
I'm so happy for you! Congratulations on your amazing accomplishment. You and Steve are my inspirations.
Deb L.
Better times come with the end of treatment, Pam, and am happy for you. Now comes the rest of your long life- oh yeah. Smiles are on all of our faces for you. Congratulations, Pam.
kcass0 -
Very frustratingHondo said:Frustrating as hell
The machine broke on me three times, the sad part is they had two machine and both were broken at the same time. With all the money they make on them you would think they would have a full time repairman on the spot.
You are getting there Steve so don’t give up my friend
Because you start to wonder if the effectiveness of your treatment is being compromised. 3 times for me too. Treatment does not suffer and you get a break from the radiation burns. very typical. After awhile they just kept the repairguy on standby as i would see him everyday.0 -
Steve
The machine broke down on me twice but they were able to fix so I didn't have to miss a treatment. Both times I was under the mask about 40 minutes. Ugh.
Thinking of you buddy. Hang in there.
Mick0 -
40 Minutesmicktissue said:Steve
The machine broke down on me twice but they were able to fix so I didn't have to miss a treatment. Both times I was under the mask about 40 minutes. Ugh.
Thinking of you buddy. Hang in there.
Mick
I'd have to had a double Xanax I think.....0 -
Acouple of TmesSkiffin16 said:40 Minutes
I'd have to had a double Xanax I think.....
Mine broke down a couple of times but it was not while I was on the table. Ours were programming errors as far as the computer talking to the gun etc. Pushed everyone back by that time the techs worked over to complete everyones treatments. I am surprised Mick they didnt take you out and reposition after it was fixed. Best wishes everyone
Dave0 -
Stilll broke downFire34 said:Acouple of Tmes
Mine broke down a couple of times but it was not while I was on the table. Ours were programming errors as far as the computer talking to the gun etc. Pushed everyone back by that time the techs worked over to complete everyones treatments. I am surprised Mick they didnt take you out and reposition after it was fixed. Best wishes everyone
Dave
Yea still broke down. Thought I was going for the double header tomorrow and now I am uncertain if I will even get one treatment tomorrow. Damn,FIX THE MACHINE!!!! Look I know it is technical but come on 3 DAYS? I had to call them at 4:50 because I didn't know my schedule for tomorrow and the tech said they were taking phone numbers home with them. Glad I called since they close at 5:00 Promised he would call me. That'll be a first. Really, really is ticking me off. Sorry about the rant I won't do it again.
Steve0 -
A little Venting is goodstevenl said:Stilll broke down
Yea still broke down. Thought I was going for the double header tomorrow and now I am uncertain if I will even get one treatment tomorrow. Damn,FIX THE MACHINE!!!! Look I know it is technical but come on 3 DAYS? I had to call them at 4:50 because I didn't know my schedule for tomorrow and the tech said they were taking phone numbers home with them. Glad I called since they close at 5:00 Promised he would call me. That'll be a first. Really, really is ticking me off. Sorry about the rant I won't do it again.
Steve
Steve it is better that you Vent a little then to hold it in and make you sick, so don’t be sorry about a little venting we all do it. It is hard to imagine there machine can be broken down for 3 days and making you wait like this, just hang in there as it will all be a memory in a few weeks.
Take care0 -
ventstevenl said:Stilll broke down
Yea still broke down. Thought I was going for the double header tomorrow and now I am uncertain if I will even get one treatment tomorrow. Damn,FIX THE MACHINE!!!! Look I know it is technical but come on 3 DAYS? I had to call them at 4:50 because I didn't know my schedule for tomorrow and the tech said they were taking phone numbers home with them. Glad I called since they close at 5:00 Promised he would call me. That'll be a first. Really, really is ticking me off. Sorry about the rant I won't do it again.
Steve
Hey Steve. I have a rant for you. My Dr has a bad habit. When he gives bad news he laughs. Seriously. Not like a maniacal gut wrenching laugh, but a little nervous giggle. This is the guy when he said that the mask can be scary I asked "Oh so you've been through this process?" Like a little boy he looked to the ground and said "well, no actually," and laughed. So I replied "Then how can you really know? Once I get mine fitted I'll be the expert between us," and I return his laughter. I have no bother telling these Drs what I think of them, good and bad.
So when I saw him last week and he laughed when he told me I would start to feel worst ("The 2nd half of treatments are always worse, hehe") I said, "Excuse me Dr, why did you laugh?"
Dr, "Um, I did?"
"Yes you did, when you said I would feel more pain."
"Well ..."
Putting on my therapist hat, and in a whisper for that is all I can do at them moment, I replied, "You see Dr when you laugh at news I perceive as uncomfortable for me, well there's and incongruity with the message and your reaction. And if I might add, this is something you do often."
"Oh, Mr Morris, I am very sorry."
"I think I understand where it comes from Dr Lee, but I think it might be prudent to know that many of your patients are in a great deal of pain and suffering that you really have no idea what that feels like nor how it makes them stressed. My suggestion is that when you give bad news you find a way to be congruent with the patient. Likely is that your patients will not laugh. If they do laugh it may be out for frustration, but it is for them to laugh, not you, not without their permission."
I asked him if anyone had ever given him that kind of feedback before, and he said no. Since then he has not laughed once.
I don't know if that makes anyone feel any better, but it made me feel like I had done my patient advocacy work for the day.
Keep the chin up Steve.
Mick0 -
"the laugh"micktissue said:vent
Hey Steve. I have a rant for you. My Dr has a bad habit. When he gives bad news he laughs. Seriously. Not like a maniacal gut wrenching laugh, but a little nervous giggle. This is the guy when he said that the mask can be scary I asked "Oh so you've been through this process?" Like a little boy he looked to the ground and said "well, no actually," and laughed. So I replied "Then how can you really know? Once I get mine fitted I'll be the expert between us," and I return his laughter. I have no bother telling these Drs what I think of them, good and bad.
So when I saw him last week and he laughed when he told me I would start to feel worst ("The 2nd half of treatments are always worse, hehe") I said, "Excuse me Dr, why did you laugh?"
Dr, "Um, I did?"
"Yes you did, when you said I would feel more pain."
"Well ..."
Putting on my therapist hat, and in a whisper for that is all I can do at them moment, I replied, "You see Dr when you laugh at news I perceive as uncomfortable for me, well there's and incongruity with the message and your reaction. And if I might add, this is something you do often."
"Oh, Mr Morris, I am very sorry."
"I think I understand where it comes from Dr Lee, but I think it might be prudent to know that many of your patients are in a great deal of pain and suffering that you really have no idea what that feels like nor how it makes them stressed. My suggestion is that when you give bad news you find a way to be congruent with the patient. Likely is that your patients will not laugh. If they do laugh it may be out for frustration, but it is for them to laugh, not you, not without their permission."
I asked him if anyone had ever given him that kind of feedback before, and he said no. Since then he has not laughed once.
I don't know if that makes anyone feel any better, but it made me feel like I had done my patient advocacy work for the day.
Keep the chin up Steve.
Mick
Mick do you think it was a like a nervous twitch that people have in other ways?
I mean, maybe he laughs when he is nervous. Probably might be why he didnt even realize he does it? Not that what you said or did was wrong. I mean if he is going to be in profession that he is in, giving bad news is apparently a large part of his job. So he definitely would need to do something to correct that. I bet he felt pretty humbled by what you told him.
Im sure he is working very hard to not laugh anymore as well. At least I like to think so.
K0 -
hi allthegirlfriend said:"the laugh"
Mick do you think it was a like a nervous twitch that people have in other ways?
I mean, maybe he laughs when he is nervous. Probably might be why he didnt even realize he does it? Not that what you said or did was wrong. I mean if he is going to be in profession that he is in, giving bad news is apparently a large part of his job. So he definitely would need to do something to correct that. I bet he felt pretty humbled by what you told him.
Im sure he is working very hard to not laugh anymore as well. At least I like to think so.
K
steve, how frustrating. i had a few days of the machine being broke down too. twice they called and said to come in later and a couple of times i had to sit and wait a while because there was only one machine working. i never missed any though.
PAM congrats!!!! it is such a relief when you are no longer getting cooked. i hope you will get to the 'new normal' soon.
mick, i have a person in my life who does that laughing at inappropriate times, my mom. i have also worked with a couple. not a trait i would like to see in my doctor. i admire you for saying something. hopefully he will adjust his 'bedside manner'. you did a good thing, i think. i just did say something to my mom about it a couple weeks ago. she was really getting to me, and it makes me not want to talk to her when i am explaining something painful, and her response is laughter. i have learned not to expect much from her. she is bi-polar, and for years was not on meds. at least she is on them now. she is not easy to talk to. she just gets hostile if i try and discuss any thing. or thinks i am persecuting her. i try to just talk small talk to her now.0 -
Broke Down, Bummer
Hi Steve, my machine was broken down all week the week of the 18th I believe. I didn't know because I had checked myself into the hospital the first two days of that week, and was not in shape to take the treatments the rest of the week. My Doc was not concerned either, when I returned. She didn't even mention the machine had been broken, just said the break was no great deal and lets get to the finish. I have four left next week, then and done with chemo and rads. I'm getting weak now. I neve knew why they kept asking me about fatigue, until this week. So hang in, Like Hondo emphasizes, it'll get better.
Hal610 -
Post Rads Recovery Expectations.Hal61 said:Broke Down, Bummer
Hi Steve, my machine was broken down all week the week of the 18th I believe. I didn't know because I had checked myself into the hospital the first two days of that week, and was not in shape to take the treatments the rest of the week. My Doc was not concerned either, when I returned. She didn't even mention the machine had been broken, just said the break was no great deal and lets get to the finish. I have four left next week, then and done with chemo and rads. I'm getting weak now. I neve knew why they kept asking me about fatigue, until this week. So hang in, Like Hondo emphasizes, it'll get better.
Hal61
Hi Hal and gang nearing the end of Rads.
Glad to hear you are almost there Hal. Just be aware that you may continue to feel like S____ for a while once your Rads stop. I was so relieved when I finished only to go home from hospital 3 days later to find I actually got worse. I was readmitted 10 days later in bad shape.
The fact that I had great expectations must have contributed somewhat to the severe deflation and depression I suffered. Hopefully you will start to improve quickly but many of us went through a 'J' Curve post treatment. Keep a check on your mental state and if you feel like you're heading into a tail spin, let your doctors know. I wasn't sleeping, couldn't eat, puking, pain, nausea, hot flashes, cold flashes, and had a terrible feeling I was losing the fight. When I was readmitted, I was treat for depression and they put me on some meds which turned me around within a couple of days and I haven't looked back since. Point is if this does happen, it's easily treatable. i also believe the solid 9+ hours of sleep the meds did for me helped a lot in my recovery as sleep is essential for healing.
Measure your recovery by the week not the day and try to get into a routine or normalcy i.e. go out for a walk, sit in a cafe, read a book a few hours a day and start rebuilding the battered body. I am just over 5 months out now and feeling great though I did struggle for quite a while in the early months. I hope you don't need this advice but I reckon if someone had told me the above I would have had more peace of mind.
All the best
Scambuster0
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