Thursday, June 12th 2014
First on our schedule today at CTCA was mom's radiation prep and treatment. We applied her Fentanyl patch this morning before heading to the center as directed. Radiology was unable to get her into her mask due to the pain in her mouth and throat even though mom took Hydrocodone and Lidocaine. Dr. Gullett and our Care Manager Kathy McLaine met with us to discuss going forward with radiation and some changes to be made to the mask. Debbie, one of the Physicist is going to reconfigure mom's mask to keep it from cutting into her chin. Radiation has been reschedule for tomorrow morning at 8:30. Mom was also prescribed some Lolly Pops that mom is to start sucking on for the pain. She is to continue with the hydrocodone and lydacain along with the Magic Mouthwash and salt water rinses.
Acupuncture was schedule for 10:30 for a duration of 45 minutes with Dr. Harris Frank, Doctor of Medical Qigong. He asked mom again if she was sure she wanted to have acupuncture since she refused it earlier in the week. Dr. Frank explained to mom the benefits of acupuncture and the fact that it is not required but it is an option. She agreed to have it done in hopes that it will help with her pain. Dr. Frank placed the acupuncture needles on her arms and legs as well as her forehead and chin. He asked if the pain was getting any better and she said she could feel some relief. He asked if I wanted to stay while mom went through the relaxation period and I decided to step out so mom could experience it in full. Dr. Frank turned off the lights, started some very relaxing music and mom went into relaxation mode!
"What I love about Cancer Treatment Centers of America is that here you have a model of care where the entire team comes together to create a treatment plan for the benefit of the patient, and that includes the wealth of resources Chinese medicine has to offer."
- Harris Frank, LAc, Dipl OM, DMQ
