CSTAR

The big event is, of course, that radiation starts tomorrow. Here’s some details:

1. As before, 5 days a week for 6 weeks
2. Dr. Mittal (radiology oncologist) will examine the tissue graft just prior to radiation to make sure I am healed enough. If not, we will push radiation back. There is no hurry to start, if we have to wait a week or two, so be it. We’ll probably start tomorrow, though.
3. The only real concern I have is damage to my good eye. I feel pretty strongly that if this occurs, I will stop radiation and take my chances, since I have no detectable tumor right now. Dr. Mittal feels the dosage is low enough that this is “very unlikely”.
4. I will lose my left eyebrow from the radiation, and some hair on the back of my head where the radiation enters. This may or may not be permanent.

I can’t stand my physical therapist (trying to get my shoulder up to 100%). Here’s why:

1. SHE DOESN’T LISTEN TO ME. I know myself physically pretty well. In two visits, I have had two episodes of being irritated when I have to repeat myself over and over.
2. Her answer to everything is “stop doing stuff”. My response is “do your job”. Don’t worry, physical therapist, I’ll make you do your job. You will get creative and find a way to therapy me without me stopping all activity. I spend enough time on the couch.
3. The other PT’s listen to me. In fact, I like everyone else in that office EXCEPT my assigned therapist. She hands me off to other people and all is well. She is careless and seems to have no passion for her work, while everyone else is happy to finally have a patient willing to work his ass off to heal. Don’t worry, lady, I’ll fix you.
4. My next PT appointment is tomorrow, and I am planning on going ala carte. I will demand all the stuff that I now know is effective (the thing that runs electricity through my shoulder), and she will not be allowed to stick me on an elliptical machine for 30 mins to chew up half my rehab time. We are on our way to being 3/3 for PT altercations.