Radiation, First Time and Hopefully the Last

Tomorrow will start week 5 (final week) of radiation therapy --- Insert WOOOO HOOOO!!!!! here--- And after weeks of daily radiation I now consider myself an old pro, however this was not always the case….

My first treatment was supposed to be on Friday, September 28^th  but the clinic called and requested that I postpone till 2:00 pm Monday, October 1^st and since I was not scheduled to go back to work until October 10^th, I was quick to oblige.---- Insert a big OPPS! here. --- As soon as I hung up, I remembered that we had a 3:30 pm teacher meeting scheduled that same day.  I immediately called back, explained my situation and asked for an earlier appointment.  “Sure” she said, “7:45 am is available”. 

WHAT??? Did you miss that I had a kid??? I thought to myself.  “I have to get my child on the bus so that time will not be suitable” I sweetly replied.   With a snotty reply, she said, “We are really busy; we have 40 patients in treatment right now.”  I thought to myself, Lady I am accommodating you not the other way around, but rather fight with her I took the 2:00 pm time slot. 

When I got there at 2 pm Monday, I met the crew (3-4 technicians) including the not so accommodating lady who we’ll now call Ms. Not-So-Accommodating. 

When I got on the table I was a bit nervous, I had NO idea what to expect.  The crew began putting me into position and kept throwing out a bunch of directions at me, “lie on your belly.”  “Move your arm here.” “Move you head this way.” “Tuck your chin.”  “Slide up.” “Slide down.” Etc. Etc. Etc. 

 

 

I find that when I am in an unfamiliar situation or nervous I tend to joke, and this time was no different.  While they were moving my body in contortionist form, I joked “Do you want me to hold a bag of popcorn or a cup of coffee for you?”  I got my chuckles, but Ms. Not-So-Accommodating replied in her snotty tone “No.”  “I am just kidding”, I kinda snapped.  “I know” she replied back.   OH BOY!! This is going to be a looooonnnggg 5 weeks, I thought to myself.   

The next day when I arrived for my appointment the technician immediately called me to the therapy room.  While waiting for patient #1 to come out of the treatment room patient #2 (who is scheduled for treatment before me) was a bit miffed that she was skipped over and left.  In all fairness to the techs (including Ms. Not-So-Accommodating) patient #2 was with the doctor when they called me back.

Anyhow, when I got into the room I told Ms. Not-So-Accommodating what had just transpired and she began to shoot the messenger (me).   

That’s it, I had enough; I was tired of her attitude.  What the F_ _K???  Where is her compassion?? For the last year I have dealt with this stupid tumor and now I have to deal with her too???  I D O N ‘T THINK SO!!!

So when it was my turn to visit with the doctor, I gave him an ear full and asked that she not speak to me unless she absolutely had to.  And guess what?  The very next day Ms. Not- So- Accommodating became Ms. Sugar-And-Spice-And-Everything-Nice. 

Folks you are in charge of you and your care.  If you are not happy with how someone is treating you say something and make it right.  They work for you and not the other way around!   

xoxo,

Faith   

P.S. Radiation treatments are virtually painless and take anywhere from 5-20 minutes depending if the doctor needs x-rays or not, but boy are they EXHAUSTING and I am looking forward to my last treatment on November 12^th---Insert very loud and very big WOO HOOO!!!! here.  

P.S.S. Ms. Not- So- Accommodating and I now get along very well and even joke around a bit together.