I'm extremely relieved to be able to say that I finally have my Medicaid! It's "Basic Medicaid" but it's better than what I have had before. And it couldn't have been more timely either. I just had a couple of prescriptions run out and had them transferred to the pharmacy at the hospital, for ease of access. I was on pins and needles, waiting to pick them up, because I was afraid they were going to charge me money. But my good fortune seems to be holding, for the moment. Those prescriptions at least are free.
I have decided, considering I have daily appointments for the duration of my radiation treatment, that I'm going to hold off on rescheduling my unrelated Diagnostics. I'm already tired with all the traveling, and it would be a nightmare to schedule anyway, especially since they would be at a different hospital.
Speaking of scheduling, more good news. My transportation has been picked up by the American Cancer Society. Unbeknownst to me, they have volunteer drivers that can take me to my cancer-related medical appointments. And I've already scheduled with them for the entire duration of my radiation treatment.
That "next appointment", that I mentioned in my last post, turned out to be the final set up for treatment. Apparently, again due to my delicate skin, they are declining to use the standard metal beads backed with adhesive. Instead they are marking me up with permanent marker, to be able to tell where the guidelines for the radiation device are supposed to go. My chest and the upper part of my belly look like a doodle, And they add more marks every time I'm there. I've no idea how they tell which ones to go by.
I'm pretty sure it will come out of any clothing it rubs off on, since the ink is dry. Unfortunately, in the meantime, my bra is getting gray every time I put it on. I'm planning to hand wash with baking soda and dawn, after treatment is done, so I only have to do it once. I'll try to remember to post the results.
I have decided, considering I have daily appointments for the duration of my radiation treatment, that I'm going to hold off on rescheduling my unrelated Diagnostics. I'm already tired with all the traveling, and it would be a nightmare to schedule anyway, especially since they would be at a different hospital.
Speaking of scheduling, more good news. My transportation has been picked up by the American Cancer Society. Unbeknownst to me, they have volunteer drivers that can take me to my cancer-related medical appointments. And I've already scheduled with them for the entire duration of my radiation treatment.
That "next appointment", that I mentioned in my last post, turned out to be the final set up for treatment. Apparently, again due to my delicate skin, they are declining to use the standard metal beads backed with adhesive. Instead they are marking me up with permanent marker, to be able to tell where the guidelines for the radiation device are supposed to go. My chest and the upper part of my belly look like a doodle, And they add more marks every time I'm there. I've no idea how they tell which ones to go by.
I'm pretty sure it will come out of any clothing it rubs off on, since the ink is dry. Unfortunately, in the meantime, my bra is getting gray every time I put it on. I'm planning to hand wash with baking soda and dawn, after treatment is done, so I only have to do it once. I'll try to remember to post the results.
My radiation treatments began yesterday. And compared with the last day of set up (which included over an hour of trying to "hold very still", on a hard plastic table, with minimal padding), the first two days of my radiation treatments have been a breeze.
On the first day I spoke with another cancer patient, in the waiting room, who is further along in her treatment than I am. And she told me that it's unlikely that I will feel the "sunburn" (only on my chest), which I was already warned about, until about the third week of treatment. Although with my very delicate skin, I suspect there's a good chance it may actually be towards the end of second week. I actually hope I'm wrong there.
I've already got the full treatment schedule. I have to go to the hospital for around 30 to 45 minutes of treatment, every weekday, for a total of 5 weeks. In case anyone wants to count down, my last radiation treatment is on April 24th.
By the way, I found out a while ago what they're using for the "hormone therapy", but I just remembered to mention it now. Apparently it's tamoxifen.
I'm a little concerned about that. I seem to recall there being some scuttlebutt many years ago (possibly as far back as the 70s), about tamoxifen and some serious side effects or something. Unfortunately I don't remember any of the details.
If anyone can remind me, I would appreciate it. At least that way I could speak with my doctors about it.
Anyway, at least so far, things seem to be progressing again. And, for the most part, the more I learn, the better I feel about it.
If you appreciate the information I'm providing, and/or want to help out, please use the following link:
On the first day I spoke with another cancer patient, in the waiting room, who is further along in her treatment than I am. And she told me that it's unlikely that I will feel the "sunburn" (only on my chest), which I was already warned about, until about the third week of treatment. Although with my very delicate skin, I suspect there's a good chance it may actually be towards the end of second week. I actually hope I'm wrong there.
I've already got the full treatment schedule. I have to go to the hospital for around 30 to 45 minutes of treatment, every weekday, for a total of 5 weeks. In case anyone wants to count down, my last radiation treatment is on April 24th.
By the way, I found out a while ago what they're using for the "hormone therapy", but I just remembered to mention it now. Apparently it's tamoxifen.
I'm a little concerned about that. I seem to recall there being some scuttlebutt many years ago (possibly as far back as the 70s), about tamoxifen and some serious side effects or something. Unfortunately I don't remember any of the details.
If anyone can remind me, I would appreciate it. At least that way I could speak with my doctors about it.
Anyway, at least so far, things seem to be progressing again. And, for the most part, the more I learn, the better I feel about it.
If you appreciate the information I'm providing, and/or want to help out, please use the following link:
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