2nd day of Pammy's rads

Akiss4me
Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Well, I just finished celebrating my second day of rads with a big smiley cookie!! Yeah, yeah, I know.....I'm going to lose the "Greatest Loser" contest for sure!!
Went about 10 min early this time and they were running on schedule as usual. Took a look around the waiting room (This is a huge waiting room!) and decided to sit by a group of 6-7 people in the one section. Kept trying to make eye contact, but no one would look my way. Just about the time I was about to fake a cough to see if they would look my way, the nurse called out a name. All 7 people went with her!!! Guess they were together. Just one big not-so-happy family!!
That left just me, hubby, and one gentleman that clearly was trying to get some sut eye.
Got the undressing part down to 1 min 15 sec (used the one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi tactic....). Exit dressing room, turn left, turn left again, one more left and wahla....your facing "Optimus Prime".
Positioning took just a few extra min since I had a tech that hadn't worked with me yet. She was really nice and kept her markings down to a minimum. Seemed like this zapping was not quit as long as yesterday. I'm sure of it. See, yesterday, the machine stopped in 3 places and today, it only stopped in two. Now, one has to wonder (and I do that quite well!), if something was missed today, if they alternate doses and positions, or if I had extra yesterday since it was my first day???? And....no wedge behind my back!! Hmmm....
So, tomorrow I will pay double extra attention and see which one it is!!
All in all, I survived again (whew!!). :) Pammy
«1

Comments

  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #2
    Good for you Pammy
    I used to love talking with all the friendly people in the waiting room, after seeing them everyday we became close and I am keeping in touch with a couple lovely women. Keep making eye contact soon you will find some very nice friends, who could resist your positive attitude anyway? not me my friend.
    hugs, jackie
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #3
    rjjj said:

    Good for you Pammy
    I used to love talking with all the friendly people in the waiting room, after seeing them everyday we became close and I am keeping in touch with a couple lovely women. Keep making eye contact soon you will find some very nice friends, who could resist your positive attitude anyway? not me my friend.
    hugs, jackie

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #4
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy

    Good For You!
    As I was working, I had the first appointment of the day, at some un-godly hour before 8AM. Truly I was in and out in a NY minute! Not many others there at that time of the day! It was a beautiful waiting room though, with a huge jigsaw puzzle and a tank of tropical fish, and on Fridays, Popcorn! Lots of magazines and even hard-bound books...I knew I was having a lot of rads, but I soo didn't want to think I was going to be there long enough to finish War and Peace. I opted for Reader's Digest...

    They probably don't think you are being forced to do rads, more likely they think you are a prisoner being escorted to rads by the guy who lucked out getting to transport and stay with you!!! When they see the gun, they figure you are no one to be messed with, and the cuffs? Are they leather or fuzzy????

    Glad things are going well!

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
    Second Rads
    Enjoying your updates, Pammy. Did I tell you I really like the name you gave the rad machine? Optimus Prime. It sure looks like a giant eye.

    I think the techs sometimes like to do things in a different order. My tech today told me in advance that she would zap me in reverse order today, no reason except her preference. Also, it seems to me that not every site on your body is treated every day. You may find the wedge being used tomorrow.

    Then, too, some techs are faster at setup than others, I've noticed. And, like most people in most jobs, they work at different speeds. Sometimes my techs seem unhurried; other times, they are moving right along.

    Self-awareness and advocacy are vital, as you already know. So, you might ask about the differences you see--your rad onc. or even the techs themselves. I think the differences are normal, but of course I'm not your rad.onc. or rad. tech. Good to get peace of mind and ask.
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #6
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy

    I bet they wonder what crime
    I bet they wonder what crime you committed that the punishment is rads. You little law breaker you.
    Stef
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #7
    chenheart said:

    Good For You!
    As I was working, I had the first appointment of the day, at some un-godly hour before 8AM. Truly I was in and out in a NY minute! Not many others there at that time of the day! It was a beautiful waiting room though, with a huge jigsaw puzzle and a tank of tropical fish, and on Fridays, Popcorn! Lots of magazines and even hard-bound books...I knew I was having a lot of rads, but I soo didn't want to think I was going to be there long enough to finish War and Peace. I opted for Reader's Digest...

    They probably don't think you are being forced to do rads, more likely they think you are a prisoner being escorted to rads by the guy who lucked out getting to transport and stay with you!!! When they see the gun, they figure you are no one to be messed with, and the cuffs? Are they leather or fuzzy????

    Glad things are going well!

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Ohhh...fish!!
    Claudia, I love fishtanks...just don't like the upkeep. Ummm....which cuffs were you refering to? The ones he was carring or the "other" ones????? You can always make me smile, thanks!! :) Pammy
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
    fauxma said:

    I bet they wonder what crime
    I bet they wonder what crime you committed that the punishment is rads. You little law breaker you.
    Stef

    hmmmm.....
    You know, Stef, you may have a point!! I should just say things like "Please don't make me do this! I promise, next time I'll say 'yes, sir' instead of 'How do you do? Cop-er-roo!!"
    Think of the stares I could get then! :) Pammy
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #9
    Moopy23 said:

    Second Rads
    Enjoying your updates, Pammy. Did I tell you I really like the name you gave the rad machine? Optimus Prime. It sure looks like a giant eye.

    I think the techs sometimes like to do things in a different order. My tech today told me in advance that she would zap me in reverse order today, no reason except her preference. Also, it seems to me that not every site on your body is treated every day. You may find the wedge being used tomorrow.

    Then, too, some techs are faster at setup than others, I've noticed. And, like most people in most jobs, they work at different speeds. Sometimes my techs seem unhurried; other times, they are moving right along.

    Self-awareness and advocacy are vital, as you already know. So, you might ask about the differences you see--your rad onc. or even the techs themselves. I think the differences are normal, but of course I'm not your rad.onc. or rad. tech. Good to get peace of mind and ask.

    Thanks Moopy
    Glad I brought this up because I was a little worried tonight. But what you said makes sense. I started thinking maybe she had the wrong chart!! But I will be sure to ask tomorrow. At least you eased my mind enough tonight that I should get some sleep. Thanks!! :) Pammy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #10
    Saw rad onc once a week
    Hi, Pammy

    My memory fades so fast these days...but I do remember for sure that I met with my rad onc once a week. Since you're keeping track, that's a good time to ask questions. Rads do go quick. Like Claudia, I was working with rads, so I was an 8:15 early out kind of rad girl. Still, I got to know 3 people pretty well during those weeks of wait, undress, zap, dress, and out. Also, I love the people who work at MSTI in Boise and Fruitland. They are the kindest people ever.


    Pammy, you are a wonderful writer. Do you ever write professionally?

    Lynn
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #11
    lynn1950 said:

    Saw rad onc once a week
    Hi, Pammy

    My memory fades so fast these days...but I do remember for sure that I met with my rad onc once a week. Since you're keeping track, that's a good time to ask questions. Rads do go quick. Like Claudia, I was working with rads, so I was an 8:15 early out kind of rad girl. Still, I got to know 3 people pretty well during those weeks of wait, undress, zap, dress, and out. Also, I love the people who work at MSTI in Boise and Fruitland. They are the kindest people ever.


    Pammy, you are a wonderful writer. Do you ever write professionally?

    Lynn

    Thanks Lynn....
    Now that you mention it, I do remember them saying I will see Rad onc once a week. I will take your advice and write everything down. And thank you so much for the compliment!! I have a couple poems published, but do not have the patience to write professionally. I am full of stories though!! Would be a great person to interview for true life stories!! :) Pammy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #12
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Lynn....
    Now that you mention it, I do remember them saying I will see Rad onc once a week. I will take your advice and write everything down. And thank you so much for the compliment!! I have a couple poems published, but do not have the patience to write professionally. I am full of stories though!! Would be a great person to interview for true life stories!! :) Pammy

    I don't know what else you do for work, but
    I think you should definitely go for it... Get a degree in journalism. My daughter is right now a Junior with a creative writing major and a journalism minor. She loves it. She likes interview writing and stories with a personal slant, too.

    When you were writing about your surgery, you mentioned the skinny bed. I had forgotten about that until you wrote it and now it is indelibly fixed in my mind. So thank you. I think those chapters resonated with all of us (except no handsome docs for me.)

    xoxoxo Lynn
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #13
    Akiss4me said:

    hmmmm.....
    You know, Stef, you may have a point!! I should just say things like "Please don't make me do this! I promise, next time I'll say 'yes, sir' instead of 'How do you do? Cop-er-roo!!"
    Think of the stares I could get then! :) Pammy

    That had me truly Laughing
    That had me truly Laughing Out Loud.
    Stef
  • traceyt
    traceyt Member Posts: 77
    #14
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy

    What a Hoot
    You girls are such a hoot ! Truely! what a better way to spend my car ride glad I get reception for the most part anyway..the hills of Wisc can be a challenge for cell service
    Pammy so glad to hear everything went well today :). Happy Thursday
  • traceyt
    traceyt Member Posts: 77
    #15
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy

    What a Hoot
    You girls are such a hoot ! Truely! what a better way to spend my car ride glad I get reception for the most part anyway..the hills of Wisc can be a challenge for cell service
    Pammy so glad to hear everything went well today :). Happy Thursday
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    #16
    Akiss4me said:

    Thanks Jackie...
    I wonder if they avoid me because my hubby is sitting next to me with a gun and handcuffs!! Maybe they think I am being FORCED to do this!! :) Pammy

    hmmmmm
    Well if you were sitting across from me in the waiting room next to I would ask it the rads were a court ordered thing, of course I dont have much restraint when i want to know somthing. hahaha
    I like these instalments
    happy smiles
    tjhay
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #17
    traceyt said:

    What a Hoot
    You girls are such a hoot ! Truely! what a better way to spend my car ride glad I get reception for the most part anyway..the hills of Wisc can be a challenge for cell service
    Pammy so glad to hear everything went well today :). Happy Thursday

    Where in Wisconsin are you???
    I spent a week at the end of June in Wisconsin~ visiting with another CSN breast Ca survivor. I had such a wonderful time~ though it was culture shock indeed, me being from California! I knew Wisconsin is the Dairy State,but I honestly didn't think my friend was serious about ButterBurgers! I stood staring at the menu, me being a grilled chicken with craisins and balsamic vinegarette kinda gal, thinking "What on earth do I order here"??? Jeeze, Louise! Or should that be Cheese, Louise?! Thank goodness Wisconsin beer neutralizes butter, cream, and cheese overload. What?? It doesn't? I'm so doomed! LOL LOL

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #18
    I'm kind of the quiet type
    I'm kind of the quiet type so I'd go into the waiting room and be the one to just sit there. If someone talked to me I'd speak but won't start anything. Maybe start talking to someone will get them going.
  • traceyt
    traceyt Member Posts: 77
    #19
    chenheart said:

    Where in Wisconsin are you???
    I spent a week at the end of June in Wisconsin~ visiting with another CSN breast Ca survivor. I had such a wonderful time~ though it was culture shock indeed, me being from California! I knew Wisconsin is the Dairy State,but I honestly didn't think my friend was serious about ButterBurgers! I stood staring at the menu, me being a grilled chicken with craisins and balsamic vinegarette kinda gal, thinking "What on earth do I order here"??? Jeeze, Louise! Or should that be Cheese, Louise?! Thank goodness Wisconsin beer neutralizes butter, cream, and cheese overload. What?? It doesn't? I'm so doomed! LOL LOL

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Cheese Louise
    Claudia
    Now that is funny! Just driving thru the dairyland on our way to Chicago ( not the city but the burbs... LOL)
    For my nephews wedding :)
    You must be referring to culvers butter burgers the deluxe is the best and those cheese curds need I say more :). Good thing I had my semi healthly subway for lunch
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #20
    chenheart said:

    Where in Wisconsin are you???
    I spent a week at the end of June in Wisconsin~ visiting with another CSN breast Ca survivor. I had such a wonderful time~ though it was culture shock indeed, me being from California! I knew Wisconsin is the Dairy State,but I honestly didn't think my friend was serious about ButterBurgers! I stood staring at the menu, me being a grilled chicken with craisins and balsamic vinegarette kinda gal, thinking "What on earth do I order here"??? Jeeze, Louise! Or should that be Cheese, Louise?! Thank goodness Wisconsin beer neutralizes butter, cream, and cheese overload. What?? It doesn't? I'm so doomed! LOL LOL

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Where in Wisconsin were you?
    The ButterBurgers are comparatively new to Wisconsin: the original Culver's opened in 1984 and the first successful franchised Culver's opened around 1990. But they are pretty good!

    On the other hand, beer and dairy products have always been around my dear home state. Not to mention the excellent sausage!
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #21
    Aortus said:

    Where in Wisconsin were you?
    The ButterBurgers are comparatively new to Wisconsin: the original Culver's opened in 1984 and the first successful franchised Culver's opened around 1990. But they are pretty good!

    On the other hand, beer and dairy products have always been around my dear home state. Not to mention the excellent sausage!

    Sausage from Sheboygan, WI
    YUM!

    Kind regards, Susan
    (a/k/a Silly Girl)

Discussion Boards