TracinLA How are you doing now?

survivorbc09 said:

I hope that they are
I hope that they are treating you better now Traci. Your post about them made me so mad at them.

HUGS

natly15 said:

Hey cousin Traci how are
Hey cousin Traci how are you? I miss not seeing your humor--please let us know how you are.

TraciInLA said:

Wow
Wow, ladies -- you're all so sweet to be concerned!

To catch up Claudia: Because I'm having radiation to both breasts, my chest is a topographical map of marks and stickers. Of course, the stickers don't stay stuck forever, and I've been getting lots of eye rolling and heavy sighs and tsk-tsk from the techs (one in particular), threatened with more tattoos, and just in general made to feel like a naughty child.

The day after I was discussing this with all of you, I went for my rads appointment -- I wasn't scheduled to see the doctor that day, but the nurse chased me out into the parking lot as I was leaving and said there'd been a scheduling problem, would I mind seeing him now?

I decided this was a sign. So I told him how my stickers and I seemed to be a problem for the techs. I think it's safe to say that Dr. Song is probably a lousy poker player, because he very unsuccessfully tried to hide an eye roll and stifle a sigh -- it was clear this wasn't the first time he'd heard this from a patient.

He leaned over and put his hand over mine, and just kept patting it emphatically and telling me this was NOT a problem for the techs, this was the last thing he wanted me to be concerned about, and "I don't want you to waste a minute of stress over this."

I felt SO much better after talking with him, and I don't think it's my imagination that the one tech in particular has eased up on me since then. They've been drawing on me more this week, and broke out a different marker that doesn't wash off as quickly. So I think the doctor or nurse "encouraged" them to find a Plan B that didn't involve harrassing the patient!

Otherwise, I'm burning more than I expected to at only the halfway point: I'm pinkish-red over the entire treatment field, from my chest down to under my breasts, and from one underarm to the other. It's uncomfortable enough that I can't wear a bra at all (thank goodness it's winter, and I can wear layers!), and I've started taking Advil a couple of times a day, but it's only uncomfortable to mildly painful.

Thank you again for checking on me! I so appreciate your offers of violence, and I won't hesitate to post the techs' direct phone numbers if it becomes necessary! :-)

Traci

chenheart said:

Traci! OMG~ I know 100% that
Traci! OMG~ I know 100% that this was not a post I somehow forgot!

So, the long and short of it...your Rad oncologist is indeed Rad and is not just in harmony with you, but is actually singing your "Song!"

The techs are technically soooo wrong, and as one of their patients, I can see why you were more than justified in losing your patience!

Your skin is Pink?? Uh, not state the obvious, but PINK is the BC color~ you expected to be some other color???? As in burgundy, or "flesh-toned" (whatever that is)


All foolishness aside, I am glad that your Dr really knew that this is an ongoing problem with his staff, and it seems he addressed it. Take care of YOU~ take care of your skin, and know that all of the Kindred Spirits here on the boards have your back. Or is that your Front? It is always evident when you are not here, and we miss you.

Hugs,
Chen♥

fauxma said:

Traci
Doctor, good. Techs,
Traci

Doctor, good. Techs, bad. Glad that it seems to have been straightened out and yes, your rad onc is right, you do not need to have to deal with this at all. You make me laugh, like the Angie comment or Chen's having your front and the girl friend comment. You are doing so well with all of this and contribute so much to the board. Keep an eye on the pink and keep using your lotions. Ask them if there is something more you can do or use just in case it gets worse. Have you tried using a tank with a built in bra. Some of them are not real tight but give a little support. Mostly for me, my nipple area was super sensitive and I used some of my daughter's nursing pads and slathered on the aquaphor. The pad kept it from greasing up my shirts and didn't move around like bras, shirts do. It worked for me. Did you have a lumpectomy because it obviously won't work for a mastectomy, would it? Boy, do I have a lousy memory?
Prayers that the rest of the treatment goes smoothly and not too much burning.
Stef