I started my journey today at 7:30 and did not pull in the driveway until 3:30! I have to say it's all about the techs, nurses, and docs that you deal with that make this tolerable or make you just miserable. I started the day off waiting and waiting :( I know, I understand that. I used to make patients wait for hours and apologize for it. It's still different when it's you!!! So, then Joel the Nuclear Med Tech comes to get me and shines a little light on things. My neighbor Becky says "some people have a BOOK", meaning some folks get how to make the best out of life and have a sense of humor and some don't. We joke that some people have chapters and there are some that have not even gone to the library. Anyway, Joel had the book and we joked a bit and he gave me an IV with some nice contrast. I then proceeded to CT for and found that Jill the tech/nurse there also had the book. Great sense of humor and just a pleasant experience. The warm fuzzy feeling you get for about 30 seconds was worth the whole day in itself :) Continuing on I had an ECG sitting down (weird), blood work, and chest X-ray. Finally, I had the bone scan which took about 30 minutes strapped down to a table and a square thing coming right at you in the face. I got to see my bladder all lit up like a Christmas tree. It was a lot to endure but all and all was not too bad.
I then proceeded to the next appt with a radiation oncologist! I had a consult visit at 1:30! Ok, I was so impressed that I had the above tests in all that time to make it for a 1:30 appt across town. I thought I would never make it and it all just fell into place.
The Dr. definately had a book and he was super. He did not have all the answers but gave me more info than I have rec'd in this whole process. So, it's gonna go like this:
Surgery: either radical mastectomy or just conservative reconstruction after more tissure is taken out! Plus, a sentinel node biopsy to check the lymph nodes for any disease.
Chemo: unsure of type but probably to last up to 3 to 6 months
Radiation: about 5 weeks everyday :) No pain and I get nice paint marks on my body! LOL
The whole process I was told would take about 6.5 months, give or take! It's all going to be OK and I know I can do this! I am ready to put on my game face and KICK SOME CANCER BUTT!!!! I never imagined going through all this but, I definately thinks it makes you a stronger person in the long run.
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You got through the day with a good attitude!
I know what you mean about being the one working in the doctor's office vs. being the one waiting in the doctor's office.
Yesterday I had a doctor's appt. too, getting my lungs checked out, because I have been having "trouble" breathing...and as I sat in the waiting room, I overheard one lady sitting behind the counter arguing on the phone with her doctor's office because of something they had done wrong. She was getting all bent out of shape and screeching a bit on the phone...while I knew that if someone was doing that to her she would be upset and not take it well.
I think it is all about who has the power in the doctor's office...which is the people behind the counter, and not the people in the waiting room, and how you can be nice with that power or abuse that power.
It is a good lesson for all of us who have to work on the back side of the counter.
I'm so glad you made it through the day with your good attitude.
Anxiously awaiting the results with you.
Oh, my appointment revealed I have something I've had for a long time: anxiety.
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