I'm Getting Mighty Uncomfortable Sitting on top of the Phone

On Monday, Esther and I traveled to Kelowna again for my "lining up/tattooing" appointment.  My neighbour, who just finished up radiation for a cancerous brain tumor, told me to expect a very long appointment.  Obviously, cases differ and so does time required to get set up, as I was in and out in record time.

I was attended by three CT technicians who carefully placed me on the "bed". I use the term loosely because it was a slightly-inclined, hard plastic slab, with a sponge triangle to support my bent knees, and an unyielding, plastic head and neck support. Next, my right arm was arranged in two angled supports above my head. I was told to "lay heavy" and not to help them as they pushed and prodded me into perfect alignment with the center mark on the machine.  Once they were satisfied with my positioning, four black felt marks were put at N, S, W, and E on my "breast".

Getting a CT is not my favourite thing.  Even though the "doughnut" is not too wide, when it is my chest area that they are scanning, it's my head that repeatedly goes in and out of the doughnut.  My claustrophobia reeks havoc on my rational brain and usually wins by causing me great anxiety.

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of getting a CT scan,

here is what the machine looks like.

I'm a tattooed woman!!!  Something I declared I would never, ever do!  Esther (who has several) was rubbing her hands with glee that I had joined the ranks of the "tattooed of the world".  Initially, I was told I would get 3, but ended up with only 2.  Thank Heaven, as it was not an enjoyable process. Why would anyone ever choose to do this to themselves???

Two of my four felt marks (E and W) were swabbed with rubbing alcohol.  Next, a drop of ink was placed on the precise spot. A needle was used to puncture my skin and rub around a bit to make sure the ink got under the surface.  The tattoo directly over my sternum hurt like the dickens because there's no padding there.  It felt like she was tattooing bone!

The entire appointment took a grand total of about 20 minutes, and we were on our way again.  I was hoping to leave with my start date for radiation, but ....  NOPE!!  I was told to expect a call within one-two weeks with a start date.

What?????

Dr. Chowdhury had told me I'd be starting radiation within one-two weeks.  Now, I'm just getting my call regarding a start date in one-two weeks.  Hold the phone here -- someone's got their wires crossed!

Once again the innocent victim of the medical system, I wait ... and wait ... and wait.  The phone does not ring ...  I've waited 4-1/2 day ... or 105 hours ... or 6,300 minutes ... or 378,000 seconds for the blessed call.

Nothing!!!

... and, it's getting awfully uncomfortable perched here on top of the phone.

Once again, I'm living my life waiting for the phone to ring.

P-L-E-E-E-E-E-A-S-E!!!