Unable to Face Radiation

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:85b53758-7ea3-416f-8fdc-4b695d9a55f7@z11g2000prl.googlegroups.com...

Cathy, I had a brother die of AIDS at age 35 so I know how hard that
is. We knew it was coming, so no sudden shock, but it was still
bad.

````````````````
Thanks - yes, difficult.

````````````

Thanks for caring, Ellen. I just got home from the first radiation
treatment--1/25th of the way through. I wish I wasn't so unsure that
I'm doing the right thing. I can't escape thinking that this could do
more harm than good, especially when I feel certain that both my
cancers were caused by radiation exposure. How does one change a
discussion subject? I'm not very much able, I'm barely able.

````````````````````````````
Feel stuck between a rock & a hard place? I'm hoping for you that it turns
out to be the correct route.

Cathy



Les

sage hen wrote:

> I just got home from the first radiation
> treatment--1/25th of the way through. I wish I wasn't so unsure that
> I'm doing the right thing. I can't escape thinking that this could do
> more harm than good, especially when I feel certain that both my
> cancers were caused by radiation exposure.

I hope you found that the radiation treatment itself is not a big deal?
I wish there was something someone could do to help with your fears
about doing the right thing.

sue

well, if you ladies are out there reading, i've been thinking alot
about les & judy. i know that you are at different points in your
treatment schedules & are encountering a variety of difficult hurdles
in addition to the treatment itself. hugs & best wishes as you face
another week.

xo,
ellen

On Aug 5, 2:47*pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:
> well, if you ladies are out there reading, i've been thinking alot
> about les & judy. *i know that you are at different points in your
> treatment schedules & are encountering a variety of difficult hurdles
> in addition to the treatment itself. *hugs & best wishes as you face
> another week.
>
> xo,
> ellen
Thanks Ellen,
I'm in my last week: it's called "the boost" and they just treat the
tumor area with a different form of radiation, an electron beam.
Personally, it wiped me out. I spent the afternoon on the couch with
the dog, reading a book. The fatigue with radiation is cumulative, and
I had 28 sessions before the boost. I did stop into my office, but
can't face starting back to work just yet. Although, it will be nice
to be on the giving, rather than receiving end of medical treatment. I
plan on taking the time to recover, and re-enter the working world
slowly. I do start to teach again in a couple of weeks.
How's the puppy?
Judy

On Aug 5, 4:56 pm, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 5, 2:47 pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:> well, if you ladies are out there reading, i've been thinking alot
> > about les & judy. i know that you are at different points in your
> > treatment schedules & are encountering a variety of difficult hurdles
> > in addition to the treatment itself. hugs & best wishes as you face
> > another week.
>
> > xo,
> > ellen
>
> Thanks Ellen,
> I'm in my last week: it's called "the boost" and they just treat the
> tumor area with a different form of radiation, an electron beam.
> Personally, it wiped me out. I spent the afternoon on the couch with
> the dog, reading a book. The fatigue with radiation is cumulative, and
> I had 28 sessions before the boost. I did stop into my office, but
> can't face starting back to work just yet. Although, it will be nice
> to be on the giving, rather than receiving end of medical treatment. I
> plan on taking the time to recover, and re-enter the working world
> slowly. I do start to teach again in a couple of weeks.
> How's the puppy?
> Judy

judy! so last week was the boost? big hugs, my friend. i got to
know some wonderful women last year who were getting their radiation
for breast cancer while i was taking irene for treatments. i remember
them talking about the cumulative fatigue effects & how difficult
those final weeks were.

what a long summer for you. i can well imagine that you are looking
forward to switching roles. & i'm hoping that the fall teaching is
not anything that you have to do alot of new prep for.

trixie the pup is wonderful & such a beauty. sometimes i just look at
her & say 'wow - i have great puppy!' i saw another great pup at the
shelter the other day - a collie mix with a chocolate colored coat &
tan bandit mask around his eyes. but i know better. pup & dh are
about all i can handle, & some days, i'm not so sure about dh.

heal well & continued best wishes,
ellen

ellen wrote:

> judy! so last week was the boost? big hugs, my friend. i got to
> know some wonderful women last year who were getting their radiation
> for breast cancer while i was taking irene for treatments. i remember
> them talking about the cumulative fatigue effects & how difficult
> those final weeks were.

I don't know if this is true for everyone or not, but from the day Kevin
had his boost his fatigue increased more quickly. You are also right
that even without the boost, the fatigue gets worse with time. He had 9
weeks of radiation, I think the boost was around the end of 5 weeks and
by the last two weeks I went with him everyday to do the driving. After
working an almost full day, he was too wiped out to drive to his
treatments.

Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.

Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good
results that Kevin had.

sue

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...

> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup with
> the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the radiation
> did the job getting rid of his cancer.

Yes!!! :-)

> Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good results
> that Kevin had.
>
> sue

What Sue said.

Cathy

Cathy F. wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup with
>> the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the radiation
>> did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>
> Yes!!! :-)
>
>> Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good results
>> that Kevin had.
>>
>> sue
>
> What Sue said.
>
> Cathy

Thanks Cathy! Now I just hope Judy and Les are doing ok now. We were
very lucky that the staff became like family to us.

sue

On Aug 8, 5:27*pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Cathy F. wrote:
> > "Sue Mullen" <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote in message
> >news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> >> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup with
> >> the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the radiation
> >> did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>
> > Yes!!! *:-)
>
> >> Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good results
> >> that Kevin had.
>
> >> sue
>
> > What Sue said.
>
> > Cathy
>
> Thanks Cathy! Now I just hope Judy and Les are doing ok now. We were
> very lucky that the staff became like family to us.
>
> sue
I have three more boost sessions: and I once read that as a prison
sentence winds down, it becomes more intolerable, and I find that
true, for me, of radiation. The crew in the boost room are not as nice
or professional as the regular crew. Yesterday as I was laying there,
they said "Yesterday we overshot" "Sorry, I'll be more careful
today."
So, I called the radiation oncologist after I drove home--wasn't ready
to confront her as I was leaving, and said, "there's no room for error
here, and it's highly unprofessional--I am in the room and listening
to every word." She apologized, said it was a technical issue, but
said she'd speak to them.

My fatigue is definitely worse, and it's irritating my pectoral
muscle, which is more than annoying.

I had an amazing session with my medical oncologist--a breast cancer
survivor herself--and she talked about how people are so focused on
their agenda that they didn't "listen" to me--and how common that is.
She is great, and she'll be the doctor I deal with from now on, thank
goodness.

Three boosts to go, and done. Hope they don't overshoot the next one.
I don't appreciate being treated as an inanimate object.

I watched the Julia Sweeney movie about when she took care of her
brother as he had lymphoma, and she developed cervical cancer, and she
talked about radiation, and it was sweetly funny and sad. Very timely
for me. It's called "And God said Ha".

Thanks for the support.
Judy

x-no-archive: yes

judy.n wrote:

> I have three more boost sessions: and I once read that as a prison
> sentence winds down, it becomes more intolerable, and I find that
> true, for me, of radiation. The crew in the boost room are not as nice
> or professional as the regular crew. Yesterday as I was laying there,
> they said "Yesterday we overshot" "Sorry, I'll be more careful
> today."

Gasp.

> So, I called the radiation oncologist after I drove home--wasn't ready
> to confront her as I was leaving, and said, "there's no room for error
> here, and it's highly unprofessional--I am in the room and listening
> to every word." She apologized, said it was a technical issue, but
> said she'd speak to them.

They need to be reminded that an actual person is in the room receiving
treatment. So typical.

>
> My fatigue is definitely worse, and it's irritating my pectoral
> muscle, which is more than annoying.
>
> I had an amazing session with my medical oncologist--a breast cancer
> survivor herself--and she talked about how people are so focused on
> their agenda that they didn't "listen" to me--and how common that is.
> She is great, and she'll be the doctor I deal with from now on, thank
> goodness.

This IS good news, you sure had to kiss a log of frogs to get to her!

>
> Three boosts to go, and done. Hope they don't overshoot the next one.
> I don't appreciate being treated as an inanimate object.

Judy, you make it sound like it's a *bad* thing. Maybe you don't have
that sunny, positive attitude they all want you to suck it up and have?
;-)

>
> I watched the Julia Sweeney movie about when she took care of her
> brother as he had lymphoma, and she developed cervical cancer, and she
> talked about radiation, and it was sweetly funny and sad. Very timely
> for me. It's called "And God said Ha".


You're in the home stretch. All that crap is going to be rear view
mirror stuff soon.

Susan

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup with
> the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the radiation
> did the job getting rid of his cancer.
----------------
All the best to both of you.

Eva

Eva wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup with
>> the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the radiation
>> did the job getting rid of his cancer.
> ----------------
> All the best to both of you.

Thanks Eva. I still have hopes of meeting you some day if life ever
calms down.

sue

judy.n wrote:

> I have three more boost sessions: and I once read that as a prison
> sentence winds down, it becomes more intolerable, and I find that
> true, for me, of radiation. The crew in the boost room are not as nice
> or professional as the regular crew.

Even with an excellent attitude radiation wears you down as time goes
on. All the other patients we talked with at Kevin's radiation center
said the same thing. Kevin's attitude was so great that I called him Mr.
Spock.lol

When he had his boost, narrowing of the rad. field, he was in the same
room, same machine and same staff. I don't know if the difference is the
type of radiation, his was IMRT, or the size of the facility. Just sorry
your boost room crew were not as nice.

Yesterday as I was laying there,
> they said "Yesterday we overshot" "Sorry, I'll be more careful
> today."

WRONG....WRONG...this should never be.

> I had an amazing session with my medical oncologist--a breast cancer
> survivor herself--and she talked about how people are so focused on
> their agenda that they didn't "listen" to me--and how common that is.
> She is great, and she'll be the doctor I deal with from now on, thank
> goodness.

Wonderful, sounds like she is a keeper!!

sue

On Aug 9, 10:43*am, Susan <neverm...@nomail.com> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> judy.n wrote:
> > I have three more boost sessions: and I once read that as a prison
> > sentence winds down, it becomes more intolerable, and I find that
> > true, for me, of radiation. The crew in the boost room are not as nice
> > or professional as the regular crew. Yesterday as I was laying there,
> > they said "Yesterday we overshot" "Sorry, I'll be more careful
> > today."
>
> Gasp.
>
> > So, I called the radiation oncologist after I drove home--wasn't ready
> > to confront her as I was leaving, and said, "there's no room for error
> > here, and it's highly unprofessional--I am in the room and listening
> > to every word." She apologized, said it was a technical issue, but
> > said she'd speak to them.
>
> They need to be reminded that an actual person is in the room receiving
> treatment. *So typical.
>
>
>
> > My fatigue is definitely worse, and it's irritating my pectoral
> > muscle, which is more than annoying.
>
> > I had an amazing session with my medical oncologist--a breast cancer
> > survivor herself--and she talked about how people are so focused on
> > their agenda that they didn't "listen" to me--and how common that is.
> > She is great, and she'll be the doctor I deal with from now on, thank
> > goodness.
>
> This IS good news, you sure had to kiss a log of frogs to get to her!
>
>
>
> > Three boosts to go, and done. Hope they don't overshoot the next one.
> > I don't appreciate being treated as an inanimate object.
>
> Judy, you make it sound like it's a *bad* thing. *Maybe you don't have
> that sunny, positive attitude they all want you to suck it up and have?
> ;-)
>
>
>
> > I watched the Julia Sweeney movie about when she took care of her
> > brother as he had lymphoma, and she developed cervical cancer, and she
> > talked about radiation, and it was sweetly funny and sad. Very timely
> > for me. It's called "And God said Ha".
>
> You're in the home stretch. *All that crap is going to be rear view
> mirror stuff soon.
>
> Susan
susan, I did tell the oncologist that I'm really sick of the attitude
"suck it up, we saved your life here" and she GOT it.
She is a keeper, and I have kissed a lot of frogs.

One radiation oncologist (when my primary was in Italy) sat down and
explained the details--and my boost is a different form of radiation,
electron, where it doesn't penetrate as deeply, so it's a different
machine and room. Per the unprofessional crew: reportedly the
"overshot" comment referred to a view they take to open the machine--I
don't care. I told the radiation oncologist that I was yelled at as a
resident for saying "oops" when I was doing a c-section,while the mom
was awake--I had just had a minor issue with the suture material, but
was---correctly--reamed out by the ob/gyn who was letting me close,
and I learned my lesson about making stupid comments in front of
patients many years ago and that I take the radiation treatment that
very seriously, and I assume that her staff does and she as the
supervising physician does as well. We'll see how they act on Monday.
I'm usually the model patient: I never complain--this was my
breaking point.
Can't wait for it to be in the rear view mirror.
I got the script for tamoxifen, just have to fill it. My oncologist
told me to take a break, and then start it.
Sue, I beg them for details, and don't even know if the original
treatment was IMRT....
Judy

judy.n wrote:

> One radiation oncologist (when my primary was in Italy) sat down and
> explained the details--and my boost is a different form of radiation,
> electron, where it doesn't penetrate as deeply, so it's a different
> machine and room.

Then this is different then what Kevin's boost was. His was the same
kind of radiation and just a narrowing of the field.

> Sue, I beg them for details, and don't even know if the original
> treatment was IMRT....

This is such a stinking shame and I just wish you and Les had the kind,
loving and caring staff that Kevin had. I saw the nurse standing by
someone on a stretcher and you could see the kindness and love in her
eyes and she didn't leave this patients side. Another patient that we
got to know, he had been through a lot before the radiation and was
depressed. The nurse saw he was upset and took him in the back to talk
with him and told him any problem just to come and see her.

Neither Kevin or I have any medical backround, but still we were told
most of the details of his treatments. OK, we never asked the dose, it
wouldn't of meant much to us. As time went on we were given information
and any questions, no matter how minor or stupid they were, we got
answers. I even asked the rad. onc. if after 9 weeks of radiation kevin
would set off the machines at airport security and he took my question
seriously.lol

Now I believe I read somewhere that you are a doctor and if that is
right then I think it is even worse your not being given all the
information you needed. Maybe some non-medical patients/families can't
handle or absorb everything, but I am sure you would do better
emotionally with all the information available.

sue - end of sad rant!!

On Aug 9, 11:38*pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
> judy.n wrote:
> > One radiation oncologist (when my primary was in Italy) sat down and
> > explained the details--and my boost is a different form of radiation,
> > electron, where it doesn't penetrate as deeply, so it's a different
> > machine and room.
>
> Then this is different then what Kevin's boost was. His was the same
> kind of radiation and just a narrowing of the field.
>
> > * Sue, I beg them for details, and don't even know if the original
> > treatment was IMRT....
>
> This is such a stinking shame and I just wish you and Les had the kind,
> loving and caring staff that Kevin had. I saw the nurse standing by
> someone on a stretcher and you could see the kindness and love in her
> eyes and she didn't leave this patients side. *Another patient that we
> got to know, he had been through a lot before the radiation and was
> depressed. The nurse saw he was upset and took him in the back to talk
> with him and told him any problem just to come and see her.
>
> Neither Kevin or I have any medical backround, but still we were told
> most of the details of his treatments. OK, we never asked the dose, it
> wouldn't of meant much to us. As time went on we were given information
> and any questions, no matter how minor or stupid they were, we got
> answers. I even asked the rad. onc. if after 9 weeks of radiation kevin
> would set off the machines at airport security and he took my question
> seriously.lol
>
> Now I believe I read somewhere that you are a doctor and if that is
> right then I think it is even worse your not being given all the
> information you needed. Maybe some non-medical patients/families can't
> handle or absorb everything, but I am sure you would do better
> emotionally with all the information available.
>
> sue - end of sad rant!!
Sue, My oncologist told me that some of the weird reactions I've had
from my physicians are due to the fact that I'm a doctor and that it
makes them uncomfortable....
She told me that she was scheduled for treatment in her hospital,
and a day before surgery, cancelled and went to Boston. She needed
boundaries.
I've met with the radiation oncologist and asked for details, and
get platitudes. Only her partner sat down, showed me the field and
gave me details. Being a doctor, of course I look up articles and
freak myself out about complications.
When I went for the simulation for the boost, that tech told me that
they all wished that I was their doctor, because I seemed so nice.
Kind of weird, because as a scared patient, you're not in "doctor
mode". I thought she would be my tech, and then they sent me over to
the nasty team.
My regular team was really kind, so this has been both a shock and
uncomfortable.
Recently when I asked my surgeon why she doesn't give out post op
instructions, she said she "didn't want to alarm people." I told her
that knowledge is important.
So, I think that people have a hard time with doctor patients--I
know that I do (I used to take care of one of the deans of the medical
school and she would second guess every thing I said. Then when we
taught together, we never discussed our doctor/patient relationship,
which sort of faded away...)--and that for some reason the radiation
oncologist hates to talk about the details, which is what I need to
feel some measure of control. Blind trust doesn't do it for me.
Three treatments and I'm done. I did tell my surgeon that I was mad
at myself for turning down the option for partial breast, and she told
me all these horrible details about when it's delivered externally and
why it was not a good idea. Then I felt better.
Kindness is so important. So are facts.
Judy

judy.n wrote:

> Three treatments and I'm done.

It will be wonderful when you are done with the radiation treatments and
the side effects start to go away.

> Kindness is so important. So are facts.

Kindness is the most important thing. I also think facts are very
important and the level of information should be according to what the
patient needs to know, wants to know and can deal with. Each person is
different and even though you, being a doctor might freak out with
certain facts, I think you freak out more without the facts.

Good luck and I hope all goes well from here on for you!!

sue

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6g5r8rFeh7v1U2@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Eva wrote:
>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
>>> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
>>> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>> ----------------
>> All the best to both of you.
>
> Thanks Eva. I still have hopes of meeting you some day if life ever calms
> down.
----------------
If life ever does *what*?????? Ha!!!!!!!
(:^)
I hope so, too.

Eva

Eva wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6g5r8rFeh7v1U2@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> Eva wrote:
>>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
>>>> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
>>>> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>>> ----------------
>>> All the best to both of you.
>> Thanks Eva. I still have hopes of meeting you some day if life ever calms
>> down.
> ----------------
> If life ever does *what*?????? Ha!!!!!!!
> (:^)
> I hope so, too.

I just hope it happens before Kevin retires and we move to Florida 3
years from now.lol

sue

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6gbhroFfabvrU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Eva wrote:
>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:6g5r8rFeh7v1U2@mid.individual.net...
>>>
>>> Eva wrote:
>>>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
>>>>> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
>>>>> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>>>> ----------------
>>>> All the best to both of you.
>>> Thanks Eva. I still have hopes of meeting you some day if life ever
>>> calms down.
>> ----------------
>> If life ever does *what*?????? Ha!!!!!!!
>> (:^)
>> I hope so, too.
>
> I just hope it happens before Kevin retires and we move to Florida 3 years
> from now.lol
>
> sue

Well, if you ever manage to set a day to meet up w/in the next 3 years,
please let me know - in case I could make it down to NYC to meet you two,
too!

Cathy

Cathy F. wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6gbhroFfabvrU1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> Eva wrote:
>>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:6g5r8rFeh7v1U2@mid.individual.net...
>>>> Eva wrote:
>>>>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>>> news:6g3q7vFe9buoU1@mid.individual.net...
>>>>>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
>>>>>> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
>>>>>> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>>>>> ----------------
>>>>> All the best to both of you.
>>>> Thanks Eva. I still have hopes of meeting you some day if life ever
>>>> calms down.
>>> ----------------
>>> If life ever does *what*?????? Ha!!!!!!!
>>> (:^)
>>> I hope so, too.
>> I just hope it happens before Kevin retires and we move to Florida 3 years
>> from now.lol
>>
>> sue
>
> Well, if you ever manage to set a day to meet up w/in the next 3 years,
> please let me know - in case I could make it down to NYC to meet you two,
> too!

Will do, that would be extremly cool to meet both of you!!!!!!!!

sue

On Aug 8, 4:56 pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
> ellen wrote:
> > judy! so last week was the boost? big hugs, my friend. i got to
> > know some wonderful women last year who were getting their radiation
> > for breast cancer while i was taking irene for treatments. i remember
> > them talking about the cumulative fatigue effects & how difficult
> > those final weeks were.
>
> I don't know if this is true for everyone or not, but from the day Kevin
> had his boost his fatigue increased more quickly. You are also right
> that even without the boost, the fatigue gets worse with time. He had 9
> weeks of radiation, I think the boost was around the end of 5 weeks and
> by the last two weeks I went with him everyday to do the driving. After
> working an almost full day, he was too wiped out to drive to his
> treatments.
>
> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>
> Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good
> results that Kevin had.
>
> sue

sue - that's wonderful news for both of you. hope the weeks ahead are
good ones & that soon you can be thinking about florida & travel (btw,
my in-laws live in mt. dora, which isn't far from the villages. it is
a pretty nice little community.)

best,
ellen

On Aug 10, 10:00 am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Aug 9, 11:38 pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > judy.n wrote:
> > > One radiation oncologist (when my primary was in Italy) sat down and
> > > explained the details--and my boost is a different form of radiation,
> > > electron, where it doesn't penetrate as deeply, so it's a different
> > > machine and room.
>
> > Then this is different then what Kevin's boost was. His was the same
> > kind of radiation and just a narrowing of the field.
>
> > > Sue, I beg them for details, and don't even know if the original
> > > treatment was IMRT....
>
> > This is such a stinking shame and I just wish you and Les had the kind,
> > loving and caring staff that Kevin had. I saw the nurse standing by
> > someone on a stretcher and you could see the kindness and love in her
> > eyes and she didn't leave this patients side. Another patient that we
> > got to know, he had been through a lot before the radiation and was
> > depressed. The nurse saw he was upset and took him in the back to talk
> > with him and told him any problem just to come and see her.
>
> > Neither Kevin or I have any medical backround, but still we were told
> > most of the details of his treatments. OK, we never asked the dose, it
> > wouldn't of meant much to us. As time went on we were given information
> > and any questions, no matter how minor or stupid they were, we got
> > answers. I even asked the rad. onc. if after 9 weeks of radiation kevin
> > would set off the machines at airport security and he took my question
> > seriously.lol
>
> > Now I believe I read somewhere that you are a doctor and if that is
> > right then I think it is even worse your not being given all the
> > information you needed. Maybe some non-medical patients/families can't
> > handle or absorb everything, but I am sure you would do better
> > emotionally with all the information available.
>
> > sue - end of sad rant!!
>
> Sue, My oncologist told me that some of the weird reactions I've had
> from my physicians are due to the fact that I'm a doctor and that it
> makes them uncomfortable....
> She told me that she was scheduled for treatment in her hospital,
> and a day before surgery, cancelled and went to Boston. She needed
> boundaries.
> I've met with the radiation oncologist and asked for details, and
> get platitudes. Only her partner sat down, showed me the field and
> gave me details. Being a doctor, of course I look up articles and
> freak myself out about complications.
> When I went for the simulation for the boost, that tech told me that
> they all wished that I was their doctor, because I seemed so nice.
> Kind of weird, because as a scared patient, you're not in "doctor
> mode". I thought she would be my tech, and then they sent me over to
> the nasty team.
> My regular team was really kind, so this has been both a shock and
> uncomfortable.
> Recently when I asked my surgeon why she doesn't give out post op
> instructions, she said she "didn't want to alarm people." I told her
> that knowledge is important.
> So, I think that people have a hard time with doctor patients--I
> know that I do (I used to take care of one of the deans of the medical
> school and she would second guess every thing I said. Then when we
> taught together, we never discussed our doctor/patient relationship,
> which sort of faded away...)--and that for some reason the radiation
> oncologist hates to talk about the details, which is what I need to
> feel some measure of control. Blind trust doesn't do it for me.
> Three treatments and I'm done. I did tell my surgeon that I was mad
> at myself for turning down the option for partial breast, and she told
> me all these horrible details about when it's delivered externally and
> why it was not a good idea. Then I felt better.
> Kindness is so important. So are facts.
> Judy

judy,

can't add anything that hasn't already been said about all of this.
kindness, competence, & facts are key. just hope that this last week
went as well as possible. & that the fall will be a time of good news
& continued healing.

hugs,
ellen

ellen wrote:
> On Aug 8, 4:56 pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> ellen wrote:
>>> judy! so last week was the boost? big hugs, my friend. i got to
>>> know some wonderful women last year who were getting their radiation
>>> for breast cancer while i was taking irene for treatments. i remember
>>> them talking about the cumulative fatigue effects & how difficult
>>> those final weeks were.
>> I don't know if this is true for everyone or not, but from the day Kevin
>> had his boost his fatigue increased more quickly. You are also right
>> that even without the boost, the fatigue gets worse with time. He had 9
>> weeks of radiation, I think the boost was around the end of 5 weeks and
>> by the last two weeks I went with him everyday to do the driving. After
>> working an almost full day, he was too wiped out to drive to his
>> treatments.
>>
>> Now the good news from here is that Kevin had his one month followup
>> with the oncologist and he got an excellent report. Looks like the
>> radiation did the job getting rid of his cancer.
>>
>> Les and Judy, I hope you are both doing ok and have the same good
>> results that Kevin had.
>>
>> sue
>
> sue - that's wonderful news for both of you. hope the weeks ahead are
> good ones & that soon you can be thinking about florida & travel (btw,
> my in-laws live in mt. dora, which isn't far from the villages. it is
> a pretty nice little community.)

Thanks Ellen!! Kevin is doing great and the side effects from his
prostate cancer and radiation treatments are mostly gone by now.

I just spoke to our friends who live in the Villages and we might visit
them for a couple of days pre-cruise in Oct. We also have another cruise
booked for Feb., so life does go on.lol

sue