Waylaid by the Patient Advocate

Last night the arm on my surgery side ached, so badly that I had to take some ibuprofen and sleep with my arm propped up on a pillow all night.  I wasn't extremely excited to repeat radiation today after last night.

On the bright side I had another beautiful day for a drive to Sioux City and another very competent driver.  It has been fun to learn more about my Storm Lake neighbors and I keep thinking of questions to ask them when I next get the chance.  People have many interesting stories to tell; it is just a matter of finding the time to hear them!

Today as soon as I got my buzzer a woman seemed to swoop out of nowhere to identify herself as the patient advocate.  I was sure to tell her right away that I had had difficulty with my arm last night.  I learned that the Lymphedema specialist only comes to Sioux City once a month and she came this Tuesday.  What?  Good grief, Charlie Brown!  I missed her by one day in either direction?!

My buzzer went off and it was time for my treatment.  The technician asked me how I was after yesterday's treatment.  I told her about my arm and she said that that isn't usual after treatment.  (Nothing about any part of my cancer treatment has been usual.  I really wish that people would stop saying that to me.  My soap didn't give me a rash and I'm pretty sure that holding my arms still over my head for 1/2 hour + the 70 min. x 2 car trip affected my arm.)  The whole thing was little more bearable today since they didn't have to take any "extra pictures".

After I was done with my treatment the patient advocate found me again.  She got way more information out of me than I would have liked.  I did find out that there is a shuttle that originates from Storm Lake each day, BUT and I do mean BUT...I would be picked up at 7:00 A.M. and wouldn't return until ??? (I would be one of the first ones on and one of the last ones off!  Does the shuttle make restroom break stops?  Woah...I think the shuttle will be a last resort!

I feel better tonight than I did last night.  Relief!  Hopefully I will sleep better tonight!