What to Expect at Rads Office

Kim09

Billynda - It depends on how your insurance works.  In my case the cancer center first bills Aetna.  Aetna then adjusts the bill to the agreed upon rate and lets the center know how much of it I am responsible for (deductible and copays) and how much they are responsible for.  So this is my long winded way of saying I did not have to pay each day but will get billed later.  Once I hit my maximum out-of-pocket for the year everything will be on Aetna's dime.

JulieC

Billynda - my insurance was like Kim's.  I met my deductible and out of pocket before I even started chemo so the chemo and rads were completely covered.  I just paid the co-pay for the doctor.  My experience is like everyone else's.  I met with the rad onc and they had an opening that same day to do the simulation.  The use the CT to mark your fields.  Tech used sharpie and covered it with little plastic patches.  After I had a few treatments, they did the tatoos.  No big deal - I have moles bigger than the marks.  Some women just have marker and the techs keep filling in the marks if they come off.  They made a mold for my body to lay in while doing tx to keep my body in the same position each day.  Kind of like a space bag with bean bag pellets.  They sucked out the air and the beads conformed to my body.  I had a CT done at the end of every week to make sure nothing changed.  I also had blood work done for the first few weeks (once a week) to be sure nothing was changing from the rads.  The doc was always in the area and would check in as I was waiting.  I did actually see him in an exam room once a week to check everything out.  They recommeded a particular cream to use and told me not to take any anti-oxident supplements.  The technicians were very professionals and I consider them my friends.  They still recognize me when I go to the cancer center and it has been 1.5 years since the last tx.  I had 33 tx and it took longer to get the center and change my clothes than the actual treatment time.  I didn't take an Ipod because they had a CD player with various types of music.  It usually took 2 songs to get through the set up, tx, etc.  In the beginning you feel a little uncomfortable about being exposed in this huge room all by yourself.  I had a male tech, but I got used to him "arranging" everything and he kept me covered as much as possible.

One thing to avoid - the hospital gift shop - LOL.  Being in the hospital every day was starting to take a toll on my checkbook.  I'd think, one more treatment done, time for a treat.  Finally they changed my schedule and the gift shop wasn't open that early.

Good luck with everything - Julie

AnacortesGirl

What about safety?  Did anyone ask or get told about the procedures in place to ensure that you will get only the dose prescribed for you? 

carol1949

Regarding the dose... it is all computerized which is also why they ask your birthdate each time prior to tx.