Medical Update: Radiation & Hip Pain

Background:

For a few months now, I have had some discomfort in my left hip. Recently, my hip has been hurting more. It bothers me a lot at night, when I am trying to fall asleep. Sometimes the pain is severe and it can be painful to walk or, in extreme circumstances, even to stand.

There is a concentration of cancer in my hip and, due to the increase in pain, the oncologist recommended radiation. He consulted with two top radiologist at Sha'are Zedek Hospital and then suggested that I meet with Dr. Vigoda, who is the head of radiology at Hadassah. Hadassah Ein Karem is the only facility in Jerusalem for radio-therapy.

Update:

On Sunday (Sep 16), my oncologist called me midday and said "Vigoda can see you today. Go now." So, I dropped everything, called Moshe and we went to Hadassah.

We were seen fairly quickly (only a half hour wait) by Dr. Sapir, who was young, very nice and smiled! Dr. Sapir consulted with Dr. Vigoda right away and then, to our surprise, arranged for me to have the "simulation" (where they determine the area to irradiate) and begin radiation immediately. We didn't have to wait, or come back two different times, or anything.

Moreover, though he told us that it would take about half an hour to get the results of the simulation , the results were ready in less than 15 minutes and then I went straight to the first radiation treatment.

The treatement only takes 5-10 minutes. It's amazingly fast. But I need to go every day.

On Monday, I went in and there was only one other person there. It took longer to park, than anything else!

But today, Tuesday, I arrived about a half hour later and waited almost two hours! That was exhausting. Luckily, my friend JB took me and we had plenty to talk about. (working/staying at home/ADD/kids...)

I will receive radiation for 10 days. During this time I don't get chemo. But, the way it falls out, I only miss one week of chemo, because next week was an "off" week. Oh well, no vacation this time.

Anyway, I just finished day 3 of radiation.

Hopefully the pain will go away soon....

Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA