I got a prison tattoo...

OK, so it really was a radiation therapy tattoo, not a prison tattoo. AND I got three of them.
Today was my "simulation." Chris and I went to St. Josephs and had the following experiences:

• Chris went with me so we were able to use the HOV lane!
• We got lost in the basement of St. Jo's
• We got to park in the employee lot 'cause Chris' pass/ID still works
• I had to sign papers that acknowledged my understanding of the possible side effects of Radiation therapy: burns, trouble swallowing?, lung damage... Sounds fun huh?
• They lined me up in a CAT scan machine that has these weird attachments like stirrups for your arms and a shelf/ridge that goes under your booty
• They marked my body with some stick-on measuring tape and three ball point pen X's
• They tattooed me "prison style" with a dot at the intersection of the X's. One under each arm, and the other on my chest - a little to the right of where my cleavage used to be. I asked Kwame, the radiation guy, if while he was at it he could give me a dragon or something and he said sorry, he sucked at art. He does have a great accent that sounds African to me, but I'm no expert.
• Made an appointment to go back next Wednesday for my 1st treatment. 7:45.
• Got a note from the Doctor saying I could have a massage - NEED ONE!

I have been binding my chest for over a week now, to try and cut down on fluid buildup. It seems to be working. I will probably need to be aspirated this week, but not nearly as much.

The wound in my abdomen is not healing quickly enough - you know the one from my hysterectomy? Well, Chris cleans, irrigates and packs it daily, but it still is rather deep, hurts and bleeds. Dr. Arristea prescribed some antibiotic gel or cream BUT my pharmacy is not able to get it and there is a hold-up in re-connecting with Arristea to prescribe something comparable that is available. Its been a couple of days.

I know I'm a ray of sunshine, but... In other news, I got informed on Wednesday that I do not have a job for next year. I was one of the teachers "impacted" by the reduction in force. Yes, I know, just what I needed. At least, I have some time to line up something for next school year. I'm just really concerned about my insurance - I have a lot of research to do. Do I have to rush and have my reconstruction this summer, so I'll be covered? This is one heck of a pre-existing condition.

On the positive side - besides my tough, sexy new tattoos - my fingernails look great! Oh, and on the way home from Houston we stopped at Taqueria Arrandas. This is my spring break, so we didn't have to rush back. I had Huevos Rancheros which were awesome - my taste buds are coming back!