12/01/10 radiation

I had a great time today in the radiation department. It's not just the staff but these wonderful, strong, and brave women that share/shared this horrible disease with me. We had a discussion about our doctors, the hospital, the staff, our scars and insurance. Let me say this about Dekalb Medical Hospital- Decatur; while I'm sure there will be someone to disagree with me; BUT they have an outstanding staff there. From Central Registration, to Outpatient Surgery, to the specialist offices, right down to the parking lot attendant... They have OUTSTANDING service. We all felt as though they cradled us like babies while under their care. I... kinda... liked it. :)

Scars

What I did discover though was a possible reason I have a scar above my port, separate form the actual port site. I thought they just accidentally cut me,...well they did, but it was explained that while they are fishing the tubing between the skin and tissue to access the large vein under the clavicle, they may puncture your skin along the way. It's what happened to her above the clavicle... in the lower part of the neck! She said her daughter had to clean her from the top of her head to her back from so much blood before leaving the hospital. Her port was placed by a Savannah hospital. So that's my guess to the additional scar I have. I don't know. Gotta remember to ask my surgeon when I see her in Jan.


Insurance

I have GREAT insurance now but have you guys heard of AFLAC? Their policies are off the chain. They have different coverages you can purchase but the one that sparked my interest was the Cancer Coverage. A friend of mine had told me about it after the fact but one of the ladies here has it and I just couldn't believe how it works. You pay your monthly premiums but if you ever need to use that coverage... they pay you. To actually be diagnosed with Cancer they send an excess of $10,000, every Chemo they send you money, daily radiation... you get money. WHAT! Everything you get done they take care of you. WOW! I'm thankful for the insurance I have but...DAMN! My co-pays are reasonable but I still got A LOT of them and yea they can add up. No worries though.


What's Left

22 radiation treatments left. Thank God! Treatments are fine but coming here everyday is working my gas tank and purse.