Rads to spine scheduled: I had an appt... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Rads to spine scheduled

PJBinMI profile image
9 Replies

I had an appt at the Rad Center (over 50 miles away) this morning. I don't remember what it's called, but it was for a scan to set things up for radiation for the pain in my lower back. So now I start weekly Taxol IVs at the cancer center on Wed. and have radiation this Thursday and Friday and then next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I've had "extensive" bone mets since original diagnosis but this is the first time I have pain, nearly 20 years into MBC. This appt went well, with none of the bowel "issues" I was worried about.

The timing of all this is ironic. Our youngest daughter (really husband's daughter, grown up when we married and very close to both of us) had a double mastectomy for early BC today. She's moved to a different (much warmer!) part of the country. Her long time boyfriend was there at the hospital with her and he sent us reports about how things were going. All very well, except she had a real emotional reaction shortly before going to the ER.

We live in a rural area and all our medical specialists are out of town, mostly 50+ miles away. There was snow on the ground this morning. Not alot--probably an inch. Roads from home to a state highway had a bit of snow, just enough to slow us down a little. State highway had wet roads and not alot of traffic. Then the interstate! Initially clear with a little melted ice. Semi trucks going fast as ever. Clear skies most of the way but then visibility became an issue-we could see just about a quarter mile ahead. Fortunately every driver around us was being careful and we got to my husband's med appt in plenty of time. Very nice to have our apps on the same day with just the right amount of time between the. When we got there, there was only one other person in the waiting room. Most of the time I was there, it was like that. But then some medical people paraded in. More patients. Then obvious ambulance workers came in with one of those big stretcher-on-wheels. My husband came out about ten minutes later and we went out to the parking lot and the ambulance was parked right behind our car! LOL Fortunately, they casme out soon, puut their patient-on-the-stretcher into the ambulance.

We got to my appt a little early. When it was done back to the car for the drive home.

Just enough warmer that snow was melting. We got back on the Interstate and things were fine for several miles but then traffic was backed up, both lanes moving very slowly. After a few miles like that we realized there was no traffic at all in the other direction! Not a good sign! We used one of those turn around lanes and came home on an alternate route, where we saw the re-routed traffic from the interstate. I husband just found out that there was a major accident not long after our morning trip. Semi not slowing down in spite of impaired vision, suddenly saw stopped traffic, slammed brakes, jack-knifed and was hit by at least two more semis!

That makes our medical issues pale in comparison to what this kind of traffic pile up can do, esp right before Christmas! Traffic can sure be scary! Makes me very happy to be here at home, warm, with husband, pets and everything we need!

I hope everyone and their families have safe last days of this year, and into the future!

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PJBinMI
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9 Replies
13plus profile image
13plus

Yes it's almost as if we are lucky just to be able to drive from point A to point B without being maimed or killed. Crazy how most drivers (but trucks are the worst) at speeding along despite unsafe driving conditions! I am so glad you got home safely.

Sorry to hear your daughter in law needed to have surgery. Wishing her the best with her healing, and that your rad treatments go well, help with your back pain, and that the Taxol goes well too! Look into taking a small dose B6 daily though, to help support your nerves from the drug effects

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI in reply to 13plus

Thank you! And I'll look into Vit B6.

Godbeforme profile image
Godbeforme

<3

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Hope the rads bring relief. So sorry your daughter had to go through that but pray she will be fine

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI in reply to mariootsi

Thank you! Daughter is recovering at home now and doing well. We're grateful her boyfriend is there with her! (and I just don't get their generation not marrying.....)

NPmary profile image
NPmary

Take care, PJB, you are such a good communicator - I always feel like I know you and we could be the best of friends if we lived near-by! Wishing you, your husband and family blessings and the best. 🌺 Mary

PJBinMI profile image
PJBinMI in reply to NPmary

Thank you! For the support and compliments! On line friends are great to have! I hope you and your family have blessed holidays and a great end of the year/new year

NPmary profile image
NPmary in reply to PJBinMI

Thank you.

Bettybuckets profile image
Bettybuckets

hi PJB in MI- I’m in awe that you had 20 years with out pain til now! Envious but I’m happy with 3 years in not bad pain… glad you are home safe as that crash would have been horrific. ❤️

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