Radiation to begin...........

Well, last Thursday I finally met and had my conulstation with my newest Radiation Oncologist Dr. Patrick Miller. The consultation went fine and even though I have already been through this I still had some questions and Dr. Miller was able to answer them all to my satisfaction. I fell very comfortable with him, although I must say that I was suspect when I first saw the location of the facility and the facility itself, not to mention it looked like Dr. Miller had slept in his shirt so the professional image was lacking. However, my suspicions were lifted when another patient in the waiting room, an elderly gentleman told me that he had done a lot of research of different facilities in the valley on the Internet and his conclusion was that this was one of the best. They were in their 20th year in the same location so I guess that's good for something.
Dr. Miller said I will probably receive 25 treatments versus the 30 that Dr. Kukunoor said I would receive and after some discussion about my work schedule they were able to accomodate me in such a manner as I shouldn't have to miss any work. The treatments will be Mon thru Fri at 4:15 p.m. and shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes.
Today, Monday I went to the another facility over in Sun City, about 20 miles from where I live for a one time alignment session, to align my body using lasers to the radiation machine. similar to the same thing I went through last year. Later this week, after the "Plan" is developed I will go over to more closer facility for a "Dry Run" where they will do everything they will when the treatments start except for actually adminstering the radiation. Dr. Miller said aside from a little sunburn in the right axillary area I shouldn't have any other side effects.
So, I'm planning on the treatments starting on Monday January 19th and ending on Feb 23rd if all goes according to plan.
Aside from some facial and tongue swelling this weekend and a massive area of pain that flared up last night in the right axillary area, I'm feeling alright. I am concerned about the pain that flared up last night because on a large scale it is similar to the pain I had in my neck last year when I was first diagnosed. I saw Dr. Kukunoor last Wednesday when I was coughing up some bllod through my tach and it kept increasing and suring that visit I told him the right side of my neck was swollen and numb, he looked me over and said he didn't see any noticeable difference and left it at that. He did order a scan to check my lungs for blood clots but I have yet to hear from anyone regarding scheduling an exam. Apparently we are waiting on Blue Cross Blue Shield to give their approval, in the meantime I could die! Aren't insurance companies wonderful!