Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Radiation? To Heck with Tattoos, Be Sharp Instead!

I'm GLOW-ing!
 Zap!

I've started radiation treatments.  10 days of zapping, after that I'm done.

My radiation therapy won't cure my cancer. . . the big masses of low-grade ovarian cancer in my abdomen are too close to all of my essential organs, not worth the "zapping" risk.

But for a few annoying outlying tumors, radiation will work fine! (God willing).  

My radiation is considered to be "palliative care."  Just taking care of a few outlying tumors, nowhere close to curing the REAL problem of my abdominal low-grade ovarian cancer mass.  
But it's still fun, regardless.
 
This machine has hidden ARMS that extend and envelope

In preparation for radiation, I could only think of my deceased sister.  They tattooed her for radiation, to mark the "target" spots.  This week I was at a dinner with a friend who was also tattooed for the same reason.

UVA does NOT tattoo, they use sharpies, and a clear strong tape to protect the target radiation marks (made with multi-colored sharpies).   It works.

And, because that works, shame on any institution that still tattoos. . . Like, we need yet one more permanent scar/reminder?  

I think this is a sex issue. . .Women succumb to tattoos because they are told to, unaware of their choices. I think men condone the administration of tattoos because they just don't innately 'feel' a woman's desire for "body image." And tattoos sure make radiation appointments go quickly. . .

Due to a few seemingly odd, personal, but biblical-based religious restraints, I CAN'T be tattooed, on ethical grounds  Thank goodness for sharpies!

I would advise any woman to ask for sharpie marks and strong clear tape in lieu of tattooing for radiation.  And if your healthcare people can't wrap their heads around that one, refer them to UVA or whomever, but they need to grow up.     Insist on it, and they'll do it.
My Biggest Sister reminded me that back in the 80's (when our 2nd sister died of cancer, tattooed) , they didn't HAVE sharpies.  That was 30 years ago.  Wise up, docs, our goal is to recover from what You Doctors did asap, so we can get back to OUR lives---as far away from medical thoughts as possible.  We need to heal.

Tattoos can only be a reminder of the cancer war we went through.

We don't need those reminders, we need to be able to wash them away.  








21 comments:

  1. Good thought about NOT tattooing. I didn't even know radiation was an option for ovarian cancer. I've never been given that option so far. I should know by the end of the week if I qualify for immune therapy. You did that right? How were the side effects?

    I don't know why but I have a feeling I won't qualify. That means I'm back to chemo. Ugh. I guess after the chemo pills failed I'm thinking any alternative treatment just isn't for me. But the more I read about how poisonous chemo is the more I question it. Don't know what to do....

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    1. Mine was only for outlying tumors that were causing me grief. There is no way that they'll use radiation for the tumors engulfing the inner bits. For example, the tumor sitting on my liver? No way. Can't radiate, too close to the liver.

      I'm sending you a separate e-mail about my take on your concerns {:)

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  2. My son just shared your blog with me, you are such an amazing women... You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.��
    I also have stages4 ovarian cancer and have been thru 8 months of chemo...radiation...68 days of oral chemo, just finished radiation again on tumors in my neck and just visited Dr. Rose 6.22 at Cleveland clinic. Praying there is a clinical trail that can help slow down the growth of all these tumors.
    My journey has helped me look for something positive in each and every day, even though I have to say some days I have to look a little harder than others.

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  3. Millie you ANGEL!
    Your own strength is coming through clean and clear!
    Sometimes, with cancer patients, there is an obvious "layer" of denial, anger, fear, whatever, that makes it hard to get down to the business of us getting better.
    Thank you, Millie, for being so clear and pragmatic!
    All Cancers are SO different.
    I've learned a few tricks about finding the best clinical trials for all of us "different" ovarians, and how the heck are you expected to compare them without a degree in advanced biochemistry?
    I'm at 540-687-8871.
    I guess there are teams out there but if you found me, you need a team, and I would be honored to be your first member.
    And I think I would be a good choice because I'm Not Dead Yet :)

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    1. And just like that your blog makes a difference. Nice feeling right!?! :)

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  4. Something messed up with Google I didn't realise there was a new blog! Tattoos that's news too! Keep it going brave girl xxx

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    1. I just thought you were too busy to read them. . .:/

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  5. I didn't get my notification either.
    Lookin' SHARPie, kiddo! (Can't decorate this post in little coloured Xs, drat.) xxx

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    1. Loved the letter with the sharpie marks! I felt At One With My People!

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  6. Leslie, So good to read you. And to see you. Loads of love from Vermont, Maura

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    Replies
    1. Love you, Maura! I hope to call when back from "medical tourism" this week (Wed-Saturday).

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  7. My God Leslie, you are amazing. With social media I always feel a bit creepy reading information that wasn't intended for me but I couldn't not read your story. I think the world of you. You're in my heart!

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  8. Janet W. . . got your message on e-mail but it never showed up here (maybe you deleted it?) Anyway, BLOGS are PUBLIC. Us Blog writers are here to share our very personal bits with everyone. As the expression goes, Strangers are just friends that we haven't met yet, yeah?

    My blog was intended for ALL readers, even those who don't have anything to do with cancer or whatever. I think it's a really good sign that people can be vocal about human traits and feelings amid total strangers, and still end up feeling good about it from the positive feedback we get.

    You are a welcome reader. And your comments are welcome, too, even if you're coming in from left field :)

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  9. Oh how novel! Using Persian bots for a New Zealand Fencing company! I'll have to resist temptation of insider trading with every red corpuscle I have left!

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  10. Hope you are still here! July has been a hard month for me immunotheraphy did not work and put me on oxygen. Went home to my childhood place in the mountains and spending some quality time with my family!

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  11. Hi, Talla! Yes, I'm still here! Sorry about the oxygen--is it a full-time necessity? How cool to be surrounded by family and mountains. I bet you can get the whole Mountain Feeling within two steps of the door there.
    We put new windows in so that on my "stuck in the bedroom days" I have a fantastic view of our yard, trees, and creek (lovely and green). It does wonders for the psyche!
    Hang in there!

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  12. Chemicals used in industries gives me Leukemia Cancer and it's all started when I wanted to get off my job to get another job that when I got diagnose, at that very point I was so scared to die because it has infected my blood cells also I was prescribed drugs like Cyclophosphamide,Busulfan,Bosutinib,Cytarabine, Cytosar-U (Cytarabine),Dasatinib in all that was just to keep me waiting for my dying day. I got inspired by what I read from a lady called Tara Omar on blog spot on how Dr Itua cure her HIV/Aids then they were lettered below that says he can cure Cancer so I pick his contact on the testimony she wrote then I emailed Dr Itua hopefully he replied swiftly to my mail then I purchased his Herbal medicine also it was shipped to me here in Texas, I went to pick it at post office so he instructs me on how the treatment will take me three weeks to cure my Leukemia Disease, Joyfully I was cured by this Dr Itua Herbal Medicine.
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  13. Omg I'm so happy to share this!!! I've been thinking I've lost my mind and it was some mental case. I myself had my tubes tied after my 3rd child. I have a condition that makes having babies so hard on my body. About 6 months ago I too would feel something like "kicks" of course I thought I was out right crazy. I never spoke to anyone about what was going through. How could I? They'd think I was nuts!!! Well my periods have been getting so bad that I reached out to my best friend who also had the operation to see if she had experienced any symptoms with her periods since! Of course we were in the same boat. I broke down and told her I almost felt at times I was pregnant I felt so crazy just typing this out to her. I was beyond nervous she would think it was a nut case. To my surprise she also had similar symptoms. We both are researching what this could be. That's when I came across this website on Google of dr Itua Herbal Center. While scrolling through these comments I stumbled upon how he treated HIV/HHerpes also helped a woman to get pregnant with his herbal medicines. When I read what he had been going through I just broke down and cried for the longest time. Finally I got a help that I ever wanted I and my friend purchase Dr Itua herbal medicines and we both used it which was really effective it cure my cramp issues so I will recommend anyone going through some health issue to contact Dr Itua Herbal Center on E-Mail : drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com Or Whats-App +2348149277967 He cure HIV/Aids, Herpes, Cancers, And other stubborn disease make sure someone here talk to someone about this who is going through the same thing as us. Ty for sharing. I now know we're not alone!!!

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