Petey, If I am understanding your situation correctly (and I'm sorry if I am not), you are getting treated at the hospital you are at but not being billed because of your financial situation and that you don't have insurance. Which, it sounds like, means you have to take the treatment they can offer.

But Georgia's right that for some cases, IMRT isn't necessarilly the best treatment anyway (or at least there is some debate on that). And IMRT, by itself, doesn't guarantee less bad effects after. I was treated by IMRT, at a new IMRT center (though affiliated with a CCC) and I have often wondered, given that I have bad trismus, teeth that have shifted around and now irritate my tongue, and esophageal strictures, if I would not have been better off with not-IMRT. I was atually told by a speech pathologist in Boston that does nothing but treat head and neck cancer patients who have swallowing problems that strictures are more common if you've had IMRT (my ENT here said he'd never heard that but he does NOT work at a CCC, though he's had good training).

There are a few people in this forum, some of the "old-timers" (Cathy is one) who didn't have IMRT and have a far better quality of life now than I have, even though I had IMRT.

At this point, what is critical is being treated within a reasonable period of time following surgery. If you were to delay, trying to get treatment somehwere else, that could be very detrimental. It stinks, I know, I also felt like I ahd to make some decisions about having not necessariily optimal treatment in a very rushed manner but getting radaition going right now is more important than what you get.

As for the stacks of branches--can't you haul them to the place they get taken yourself? I know it's not somehting you had planned on but don't let it ruin your outlook right now--just take care of it!

Nelie

Petey,

Please take one thing at a time. Life becomes even harder when you allow mutiple issues to become a big jumble.

First, the doctors that have treated you pro bono do have their reputations on the line and I know they want to see you survive this. Their names and butts are on the line just as much as your life is on the line. Ask the appropriate questions about the different types of radiation, but if they truly think that old fashioned radiation is what is appropriate for you and your case, take their word as truth and go for your radiation. Press them for an answer regarding your two new lumps. You're entitled to their attention and an accurate answer or plan of action.

As far as your rubbish problem, a $100.- fine per week is a lot of money when you don't have it. Truthfully, it's not their problem that you just got around to trimming your property. Try to find a friend with a pick-up and have that friend bring all your cutoffs to the dump for you and give him $25. or $35. for his trouble and gas. We have sticky refuse rules here on Long Island too, but there's always a solution if you'd like to do it yourself. The dumps. We have all types of dumps here. One for household trash, one for contractors trash, one the landscapers use. Find that one and send a friend there with your stuff.

When life gets too hard, find yourself an AA meeting. They are everywhere. OK, the people may not know you and you may feel uncomfortable at first, but stay awhile and you'll find that peoples' problems are commmon problems wherever you go for a meeting. At least that's what I've found with my Anon group.

Lastly, ask for meds at your next visit!! How you've gotten through your post-surgery phase without some prescription pain relief, I don't know, but I do know you're going to need Rx help once you start radiation. Generic pain meds cost very little, especially the older ones. Have a heart-to-heart with your doctor and ask him to arrange with the hospital pharmacy to get you what you need. At least a minimal list of what you need.

One day at a time, one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Isn't that how it goes?

Hugs,
Lisa

Hey Petey

I can understand your frustrations about the questions being deferred. The people attending to you were more than likely radiation technicians and not necessarily nurses, which is probably why they deflected your questions. I would bet that they have been instructed in that manner.

I'd ask the doc and his/her nurse about the medical stuff.

Kevin

Thanks All

Thanks for the advice and suggestions, public & private.

I just got home and am reading this post.

It seems like 2 days went by. This is my first look at it since I wrote it.

I took the piles to a house up the street that they were tearing down. They had three mountains of debris. One each of concrete, wood, and my favorite, trees and bushes.

I asked the foreman if I could put the piles there and he said "sure man".

4 trips and it was done. Then I loaded up the other junk and put it in a dumpster at a construction site. It was not much and no one was there to ask but at least I did not just dump it anywhere like many people do. It is now a felony and a huge fine.

I'm hopping in the pool then the shower, and then going to get my first nuking.

I thanked God many times today. I do not know who said it but it was posted a few days ago.

They said they did not thank God for what they had, but for what they did not have. That Got Me Through My Morning. Very unusual.

Petey

PS: I really noticed how weak (physically) I have become.

Petey,

Glad to hear that things are getting better. I had no doubt that you would find away to get rid of the tree debris. Compared to getting your treatment done, this was a snap.

You better get used to the weakness. Not from experience, but from what I've read, you will be in for some weaker moments. That said, the way you bounced back from the surgery, I wouldn't be surprised if you do well with the radiation, too.

Good luck.

Jerry