I have been absent of late due to not having a whole lot of information to share. However, that finally changed as of this morning.
For the first time since all this began, I experienced some insurance issues regarding my treatment plan for the radiation treatment plan. My insurance, Anthem Blue Shield, fought hard to stop my treatment the way my radiation doctor has it planned for me. Her team came up with a plan specifically for me, but the insurance wanted it to be a "generic" plan to "save money." I'm pretty sure I don't have to go to potty mouth mode, but WTF!!! I haven't and don't experience what most people must experience daily, which is going without insurance. I'm especially sensitive to being told "NO" when it concerns my life -- no exaggeration there at all-- I must have this specific plan set out for me by my doctor. No wonder doctors are so frustrated with the system; why millions of people are so frustrated -- argggghhhh! Anyway, through diligence on my doctor's part, she finally got her plan approved. The stupid game that has to be played in order to get medical treatments done.
The long story short is I begin my radiation treatment tomorrow, Thursday, November 3 beginning @ 2pm. I will have a consult with my doctor to go over my treatment plan in detail so I will understand what is going to happen to my body. One thing that is changing is the fact that the lower region of my heart will have some radiation in order to get to the nodes in my chest that were affected by the cancer. Sucks, I know, but this must happen. I asked if my heart will get damage -- she has assured me that it will not damage my heart. The radiation is minimal, but with anything, there is a chance, but I do have a very strong heart. Either way, this is the best plan of attack. But there is more information I must learn about tomorrow and will blog about it as I find out.
I will have 28 treatments in total. And my last day of treatment will end on Dec. 20! Five days before Christmas and 6 Days before my 52nd birthday! Yes, my birthday is December 26. What a
great Christmas and Birthday gift -- the GIFT OF LIFE! I choose LIFE! I accept this gratefully!
Then I can really set myself free from many stresses. For the first time in many, many, many years, I have a new outlook and new unleashed goals to attain. I can't wait for this next ride in my life. Should be an interesting one to say the least. Not sure where I will land, but it will be right.........
As a reminder, I will be going to radiation every day -- 5 days a week till I get the 28 treatments finished. It will be a 20 minute process. In my case, I have to lay on a table and have my right breast taped down to the table which is very difficult since I have the expanders in my chest and I'm very small. I have to go through this everyday -- every treatment. I have to lay in the EXACT same position each time. From what I've been told, the therapist will be perfecting my treatment as I go along.
I appreciate the fact at how hard so many people are working to make this whole process perfect for me; that we have success and so I can move on and continue on in my life.
My surgeon, Dr. Hyde, wants me to come back a couple more times to see him as I go through this treatment plan. I will abide by his request. My Oncologist will want to see me more as well. After this journey, I will be placed on maintenance medicine to prevent cancer. It's a five year plan. I don't have a complete detailed plan as of yet, but I know it's coming after the first of the year.
In closing, I know I may not have started my radiation treatment on the timeline that was supposed to be, but there's always a reason for everything. I know I'm stronger and more healed from the bilateral mastectomy so I will be that much more ready for this radiation. Oh, yes, I'm fighting big time through this. I am so grateful I don't have to do chemo again. Dear God, I would have had to dig deep big time to cope with that one, but God willing, I will not have to endure more after radiation.
God doesn't hand you anything you cannot handle. And, with this, I will go forth and do what I need to do........I am finished with this Cancer -- it doesn't stand a chance anymore. I won't give it that satisfaction! No Way! As I have in the past, I ask for prayers for my family and my complete recovery! Thank you for your continued love and support!
Oh, yes, my Cup's Half Full!
Ciao, Ciao!
For the first time since all this began, I experienced some insurance issues regarding my treatment plan for the radiation treatment plan. My insurance, Anthem Blue Shield, fought hard to stop my treatment the way my radiation doctor has it planned for me. Her team came up with a plan specifically for me, but the insurance wanted it to be a "generic" plan to "save money." I'm pretty sure I don't have to go to potty mouth mode, but WTF!!! I haven't and don't experience what most people must experience daily, which is going without insurance. I'm especially sensitive to being told "NO" when it concerns my life -- no exaggeration there at all-- I must have this specific plan set out for me by my doctor. No wonder doctors are so frustrated with the system; why millions of people are so frustrated -- argggghhhh! Anyway, through diligence on my doctor's part, she finally got her plan approved. The stupid game that has to be played in order to get medical treatments done.
The long story short is I begin my radiation treatment tomorrow, Thursday, November 3 beginning @ 2pm. I will have a consult with my doctor to go over my treatment plan in detail so I will understand what is going to happen to my body. One thing that is changing is the fact that the lower region of my heart will have some radiation in order to get to the nodes in my chest that were affected by the cancer. Sucks, I know, but this must happen. I asked if my heart will get damage -- she has assured me that it will not damage my heart. The radiation is minimal, but with anything, there is a chance, but I do have a very strong heart. Either way, this is the best plan of attack. But there is more information I must learn about tomorrow and will blog about it as I find out.
I will have 28 treatments in total. And my last day of treatment will end on Dec. 20! Five days before Christmas and 6 Days before my 52nd birthday! Yes, my birthday is December 26. What a
great Christmas and Birthday gift -- the GIFT OF LIFE! I choose LIFE! I accept this gratefully!
Then I can really set myself free from many stresses. For the first time in many, many, many years, I have a new outlook and new unleashed goals to attain. I can't wait for this next ride in my life. Should be an interesting one to say the least. Not sure where I will land, but it will be right.........
As a reminder, I will be going to radiation every day -- 5 days a week till I get the 28 treatments finished. It will be a 20 minute process. In my case, I have to lay on a table and have my right breast taped down to the table which is very difficult since I have the expanders in my chest and I'm very small. I have to go through this everyday -- every treatment. I have to lay in the EXACT same position each time. From what I've been told, the therapist will be perfecting my treatment as I go along.
I appreciate the fact at how hard so many people are working to make this whole process perfect for me; that we have success and so I can move on and continue on in my life.
My surgeon, Dr. Hyde, wants me to come back a couple more times to see him as I go through this treatment plan. I will abide by his request. My Oncologist will want to see me more as well. After this journey, I will be placed on maintenance medicine to prevent cancer. It's a five year plan. I don't have a complete detailed plan as of yet, but I know it's coming after the first of the year.
In closing, I know I may not have started my radiation treatment on the timeline that was supposed to be, but there's always a reason for everything. I know I'm stronger and more healed from the bilateral mastectomy so I will be that much more ready for this radiation. Oh, yes, I'm fighting big time through this. I am so grateful I don't have to do chemo again. Dear God, I would have had to dig deep big time to cope with that one, but God willing, I will not have to endure more after radiation.
God doesn't hand you anything you cannot handle. And, with this, I will go forth and do what I need to do........I am finished with this Cancer -- it doesn't stand a chance anymore. I won't give it that satisfaction! No Way! As I have in the past, I ask for prayers for my family and my complete recovery! Thank you for your continued love and support!
Oh, yes, my Cup's Half Full!
Ciao, Ciao!
