Chemo dude had nothing new to say, and felt okay with minimizing the effects of chemo, to boot."I've had patients compete in triathlons during chemo." And screw you, you smug defensive bastard. The drugs he recommends are A C T -- details tomorrow since I can't remember right now. I will get a 2nd and perhaps 3rd opinion on the cocktail.
Hair situation - I think I'm going to wait until it starts to fall out (because who knows? says my denial engine, it may not fall out at all!) ... and get a mohawk. It will avoid the soul-crushing clumps-on-the-pillow situation and also give me the satisfaction, finally, of going full-on punk. I can't wait.
Advice: My brain goes into gridlock when I talk to doctors, mostly. The fear overwhelms me, the internal chatter starts up, I get home and have no idea what they said. My cheeky self tried an experiment --- the tape recorder -- and lo -- the surgeon, radiation dude and chemo dude all agreed to be recorded. This should prevent the hysteria I experienced last week, when I forgot what the surgeon had apparently already explained once. A hearty HUZZAH! to MDs who are willing to be recorded. And if yours won't, good people, find yourself new doctors.
LOVE the idea of a mohawk! ... at least for the mo.
ReplyDeleteFor years, we have always counseled parents or adults: NEVER go to an appointment alone!! Your mind will be too busy reacting to what is said to keep up with the conversation. And too few professionals/folks on other side of the table realize it! Hard to believe, I think, but it's absolutely true. So take a friend/relative/etc. I even told one woman -- half facetiously -- take your non-English speaking grandmother if there's no one else to convey the message that you're NOT alone. Of course, when permitted, recording solves part of the problem. You can usually ask questions later.
So, yes, DO take someone with you, ladies!