Padding......Not rocket science is it and still the hospitals, or the makers of these tables don't get it!
I hope you are able to rest this weekend. And you don't have to stay still or else! I said so!
Read a good book. Anything you want.
Thinking of you,
Prayers, Blessings and May the Grace of God Be With You.
Wanda Amorose

Sent by Wanda Amorose | 8:47 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Hi Leroy -

I'm sorry this was so uncomfortable for you but I'm glad you posted your experience. I do believe that oftentimes doctors do not realize how uncomfortable the procedures and the resulting treatments really are. Just once, I'd like a doctor to go through the procedures/treatments he/she recommends for the patient, just for the purpose of understanding what the patient is truly experiencing. Wouldn't that change the way health care is administered?!!! I think at the very least it would create an understanding in medical professionals that just isn't there at the moment. Good for you for bringing this problem to light.

Sent by Linnea | 8:48 AM ET | 03-07-2008

One challenging procedure after another then another. This is a good message for me . Maybe for others who feel like they may be looking at how many medical interventions or possibilities are left to fight metastastic (sp?) disease with. There is always something if you have the energy and spirit to push with. Nothing can stop you. Just when it seems there is nothing left to do you get up and say "Okay what's next that might help?"

Thank you, and I hope the people responsible read the note about PADDING. Maybe gel cushions?

Nancy O

Sent by Nancy Oliveri | 8:50 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy, I came across your blog yesterday, as I was searching through cancer info for my 25 year-old niece, Jessie, who has a rare form of leukemia. You hopefully remember me from SMHS, Mary Oettinger, Jeff's girlfriend. Cancer has been a big part of my world lately. My sister Margaret died in May of breast cancer, Liz has battled that and now her daughter Jessie has leukemia. A good friend has ovarian cancer, and I'm going to the doctor next week for a suspected skin cancer. My dad died years ago of Leukemia. And of course, there have been many friends in my churches that have battled this -- sometimes winning, sometimes losing. I find myself being angry and discouraged at so many great people being touched by this. I have followed your career from afar, always knowing you would accomplish great things; you had such a great mind and quick wit. And you have. I do thank you for continuing to make an impact in your honest approach to handling the process of living with cancer. My niece has started an equally honest blog, although it contains a few (many!) more expletives than yours. Leroy, I will continue to read your daily blog, to hold you up in prayer, and to wish you and your family the absolute best.

Sent by Mary Oettinger Wesra | 8:51 AM ET | 03-07-2008

They need to get those mattress toppers made by Temperpedic - now that is comfort!

My prayers continue for strength and healing for you and everyone.

Sent by Sara (MD) | 8:55 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy, you amaze me. Relax and try to have a restfull weekend. Pick up the fight next week. I do hope you are haveing some sun shine.

Sent by dorothy in oregon | 8:57 AM ET | 03-07-2008

One hurtle and planning and follow doctors instructions REST. I don't know why can't make those tables more comfortable. And then OR staff refer to the tables as beds? They are not beds that I want to be on for any length of time.

Keep moving forward Leroy. I have a hunch I'll have to a Mai Tai for your in Maui. Where's your favorite spot to get one, I'll make a trip there just for you, get a picture, and send it to you. ;)

My trip is 6 days away, and now hoping it really takes place, dad's back is still and issue, however, I am optimistic improvement is not far away.

Sent by Sue Chap | 9:07 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Excellent! Congratulations on beating that nasty headache statistic.

Now to do your part for upping the statistics about eradicating tumors in your back. Zap those invaders!

Sent by Robin L. Fairfax VA | 9:08 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Sounds like no matter what the hospitals advertise, there are some things that are the same no matter which one you choose...namely, unpadded tables. Burge used to complain about that, too. I think the MRI machine was the one he thought was extra hard but perhaps it was the length of time it took to do one.

Glad your last ordeal is over.

Nikki

Sent by Nikki | 9:12 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Oy, Leroy, do I ever know what you mean about padding! When I had my radiation treatments, it would often take 5-10 minutes until I could find a position that I could hold reasonably comfortably. One time I had to resort to sucking a fentanol lollipop - great stuff!

I ended up buying a memory foam pad and bringing it in with me every day - my mother sewed up brightly colored covers so that I could wash and change them each week.

Hang in there and best of luck - as you know, there are thousands (millions?) of us rooting for you!

Sent by Shosh Westen | 9:19 AM ET | 03-07-2008

No headache...YAY! Sore butt...very bad. Yes to padding!

Give them hell Leroy, give them hell.

Sent by Lori | 9:32 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Talk about uncomfortable....
lets talk about mammograms

Sent by Jenn | 9:35 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy, sending warm thoughts and soft vibes for tolerance of all the invasion being done to your body xoxoxo.
Nikki, I feel that way about you too, I've been blogging here for almost 2 yrs and it's been a privilege to be part of others' lives and stories. I think of you often and relish your writings and thoughts after losing Burge. It's sorta like we're a family here. Love to you from Sherri in Texas

Sent by Sherri Eggleston | 9:41 AM ET | 03-07-2008

I am going to suggest something crazy... GAMMA RAYS... worked for the Hulk... over all... in a big picture kind of way it worked... And who knows, green may be your color.

Sent by Brit | 9:42 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy that sounds like pure agony and I am so proud of you for hanging in there. You are doing awesome. I can't tell you how much you inspire me.

Sent by liz | 9:44 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Good Morning Leroy. I had to have some sort of x-ray/MRI/scan that required me to lay flat on the table with my shoulders back, sternum up in sort of a wide V. When it was over, I actually couldn't move. It seems to me with all the dollars spent on health care, a simple thing like padding is a no brainer. hang tough, big guy.

Sent by glenda | 9:51 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Dear Leroy, reading your comments today brought back some of my worst cancer memories, the total agony of the MRI! I've had several on my hip which was fractured by bone mets from breast cancer. Lying on that thinly padded table for long periods of time was almost intolerable. Once, the tears of pain flooded my ears and soaked the linens beneath! When another specialist suggested another MRI, I howled in protest! He then suggested the new open MRI unit the hospital had recently installed and was usually reserved for claustrophobic patients. The padding was much better, though still nothing near comfortable, but at least bearable! If you need to undergo this procedure again, perhaps you could try the "open" machine. I'm sure your hospital, or one nearby, has one!

Anyhow, thanks again, Leroy, for being so honest about your cancer journey. Because of your openness, you offer the rest of us nothing but hope and reassurance! Hang in there, we are all pulling for you!

Sent by Karen K. | 10:01 AM ET | 03-07-2008

you are sounding bettery leroy - I'm glad - it's still a long road, but you're making steps forward, even if it doesnt' seem that way.

we all have to think of it that way

Sent by brady richardson | 10:03 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Dear Leroy,
Hang in there sweet friend..........just go with the flow. I hope this is your final ordeal.

Prayers to all.

Sent by Sasha | 10:25 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy & Laurie,

Hope you have a great weekend!! Glad yesterday is over. I know you have great physicians and they will come up with a good plan for your treatment. My love and prayers for all of us that are in this cancer war!

Love to all,
Betty Lewis

Sent by Betty K. Lewis | 10:49 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Glad the procedure is over. Take this weekend to do whatever or do nothing. You've earned the right!

The prayers and best wishes are always coming for you and Laurie. Have a good weekend.

Sent by Al Cato | 10:53 AM ET | 03-07-2008

"I'm looking forward to this stuff getting zapped, even if it means more time on one of those thinly padded tables."

You amaze me.

Sent by Kelly | 11:02 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy,
Thank God for no headache! Next, good results from the test!
Prayers and good wishes,
Jane

Sent by Jane from Arkansas | 11:08 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy,

Well, Bright Spirit, you made it over another hurdle and feel good about it. Bracing for he next one. You really are amazing (and maybe a little stubborn in a good way?)

Blessings

Sent by Diana Kitch | 11:15 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Yes, those thinly padded tables seem to be especially hard on us plus-sized people.

Take care, Leroy.

Ruth

Sent by Ruth | 11:20 AM ET | 03-07-2008

Thanks for explaining why you were doing the new test. It's good to hear that fighting spirit rebounding. I asked the radiation nurse why they didn't have any padding - she said the padding retained some of the radiation. I'm surprised that Shosh got to bring a pad, what with the exactness they use in positioning your body. One of those memory pads sounds great for some of the tests, though. Years ago, I had angiograms where they made you lie flat, head down, for 8 hours afterwards. Ah, the agony!

Sent by Marcia | 12:29 PM ET | 03-07-2008

See if they will let you bring your own padding to lie up. There is a backpacker mattress of sorts called ThermaRest that deflates very compactly yet gives nice padding. There is also a kind of cushion called Gel Tec that is very helpful and may even be something that helps you be more comfortable in bed. We got one for my MIL and it has made all the difference in her quality of sleep since she is permanently on a trache tube and can only lie on her bony back. I have used the ThermaRest before and it's a nice product.

You are making strides and it makes me happy to know about it!

Sent by Celeste | 12:35 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy,

I have been following your case for the past 18 months and my heart goes out to you. Cancer is a dreadful disease (even for brave people such as yourself). I'm sure no one knows this as well as you!

You will remain in my prayers. The Lord will provide.

Best,
Rita

Sent by Rita | 12:57 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Onward fearless warrior...feel free to jettison any of those 3 words lol...another complaint about hospitals is that those beds require those least equipped to do so, to boost themselves up regularly. I actually had to grab my own head by the hair and hold it while I scrunched my bod up. I'm glad I'm as strong as I am. So you'll be getting more rads...I am glad to hear it and hope that the docs can come up with a working map that doesn't overlap prior areas. Sending hopes and prayers your way that all goes smoothly and that you get padding next time.

Sent by Alycia Keating | 1:34 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I'm so pleased you avoided the killer headache!! I was worried.

Sent by Jane | 1:35 PM ET | 03-07-2008

We complain but we are still glad there are options. Monday I have chemoembolization one of two that are scheduled this month. A new one for me. The drug they are using is not new and has made me sick before so I am not thrilled at that prospect. This procedure is similar to a heart cath but the cath will only go to the liver to place the chemo beads. I am not looking forward to it as I am still uncomfortable from the last lung surgery but they are still trying to do things to extend my life, which I am pleased they are doing. I'm glad they have a plan for your spine tumors as well.

Sent by Dona | 1:46 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Thin padding and the great both hands over your head absolutely will cause you to go numb. I do like the PET scanner velcro gripper, makes you feel like you are on a papoose board.

Sent by Cherie Brown | 2:14 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Funny you should mention table padding today.. This morning I had a Coil MRI..for breast check (former mastectomy patient). A person lays on their stomach and they position you to match the breasts into the cup holes built into the table while your forehead "rests" on a cushioned (yeah right) headrest. Face down remember...they plop earphones on you (no Frank Sinatra today)and the music, whatever it was, did not muffle the noise, nor did the forehead "headrest" avoid inducing a headache. I cannot tell you the pressure that was put on the chest immediately above the boobs, but suffice it to say since I had open chest surgery last October to remove a tumor, that particular area which had been wired shut did NOT like to be rested on. I can't even lay on my stomach in my own bed...so today my friend, I can DEFINITELY relate to the "discomfort" and at times outright pain from those "tables". Can even begin to imagine how it must have felt to be put to the "rack" ages ago. Oh well.. any day above ground is a GOOD day!! Remember Leroy, a moving target is hard to hit! xxxooo

Sent by Jo Ann Baswell, Margate, FL | 2:56 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Glad that you seem to have weathered that scarey spinal test yesterday Leroy. Speaking of weather, you are not missing a darn thing by having these tests before the Spring arrives. It is horrible outside.
I was glad to hear you explain a little about why they are doing this test so soon after what you have just been through. Seems you were beginning to literally get back on your feet. I can't help getting upset at what you must endure. Are they working that hard at discovering what starts the "Beast" and what keeps it growing and spreading all over our bodies? They just seem to be chasing it all over your body.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if they discovered one of the answers to my questions while working on YOU? I imagine that this is one of your Goals that keeps you going and going. Oh, to be instrumental in them finding a cure, or even the reasons WHY and HOW. What a Pioneer you are Leroy!
Have a restful, quiet weekend.

Sent by J C R | 3:01 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Hey Leroy- congratulations!! you are spirited and ready to attack. Let's just hope the next few weeks are easier for you.

Sent by linda h. | 3:02 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I had to have a 40 minute flat-MRI for the misalignment of the veterbrae in my lumbar spine. No padding whatsoever. Pure agony after about 10 minutes. How in the H I managed to stay still in all that agaony was nothing but a miracle. I couldn't get up off the table since I was so stiff and in great pain. I had to make several attempts at walking.

I don't know if padding would have made it any easier - I don't even sleep on my back because it's painful. And I am so lucky -- I have at least 2 more to look forward to. One immediately before surgery and one sometime after surgery. I know now to take a double dose of pain medication before I go through that again!

Some sort of foam would be great, but it costs money. And the last thing the MRI operating people want to do is spend more money without getting re-imbursed for it. Since it can't be sterlized, they would have to have a new piece for each patient. Maybe I'll buy an egg-crate mattress and bring it with me next time. Do you think they would let me use it?

Sent by Nancu | 3:11 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Hi Leroy,
When I read your blog today, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I remember quite well lying in radiation oncology on what was the skiniest (and coldest) piece of stainless steel.I thought to my self, how am I going to balance on that. I manage to do it for about 1 hour and even was measured, marked, and photographed, so we could radiate the hell out of my breast cancer!I finally asked after the first round (the room was about 60 degrees)if there was anything to cover up with. They presented me with a throw quilt hand made by a group of seniors for the patients at the oncology center. This became my security blanket, I still keep it on the quilt rack at the end of our bed.
Keep the faith Leroy, we are all praying and sending love vibes to you.

Sent by Linda ~~Cleveland | 4:41 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I'm so glad you beat the headache! Rest, and have a cheesesteak and a choclate cupcake, and overall, a good weekend. We will all have a better weekend knowing you are making progress and feeling better.

Sent by Marcy in NJ | 4:50 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Dear Leroy, First, in regard to feeling excited about your improvement: How could you be? What about battle fatigue? What about chronic pain? What about decreased mobility and independence? Really something to grin about. Second, in regard to the potential headache: Did they offer heavy duty pain killers, like morphine, if it developed? Or something to put you to sleep? Was there a contingency plan? Third, lying on the table: I really don't think you should be in such pain. How about lining it with blankets beforehand? How about making you dopey afterwards? I've found that asking for all of these considerations actually works. Somehow, the medical establishment, kindly though it might be, doesn't think of these things on their own. Best to you and I wish you didn't have to endure any of this. I know it's small consolation, but you're not alone. Salee

Sent by salee | 5:20 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I am looking into something called Therasphere. Is that one of your options?
I also get warm blankets which I am not sure you can have for your scans. Those are awesome.
Looking forward to hearing your good results, Leroy. You are an inspiration. Thank you.

Sent by Becky | 6:24 PM ET | 03-07-2008

I'm so relieved to hear that you escaped that terrible headache, at least. And I echo what so many others have said about the extreme pain of enduring an MRI on a hard table, lying face down (something I can't even do in my bed) with my one breast hanging through a hole in the table. Then the guy who was administering the MRI helpfully told me that if I didn't get myself positioned exactly right, they'd have to do it over again!Too bad there isn't some way for cancer patients to band together and demand some padding on those cold, hard tables.

Keep on trucking, Leroy.

Sent by Doris | 7:22 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Leroy, All the technical advances in Medicine and padding has eluded them! I hope they have extra strong zapping planned. Get all of those things where they live. Fight. Thoughts and Prayers, Stan

Sent by Stan Wozniak | 9:58 PM ET | 03-07-2008

Dear Leroy,
I started listening to your podcast a year ago when my father in law was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and my fiancee decided to go back home to Canada to give her parents support. I drew strength from your comments, which also helped me vent some of my emotions with tears.
After my father in law died last august I could not bring myself to continue listening to your story until now. I was afraid when I noticed that the podcasts had stopped in October, but relieved to see that the blog has continued. I just wanted to say thank you for allowing us to share our pain through your web casts. The dutch have a say for these situations: heel sterkt! It roughly translates into: Much strength!
I can only imagine how hard the battle is for you, but I know it also is hard for those near you, and you are in it together. We also get to share with you and try to support with our comments and prayers.
All the best,
Jesus Cabello

Sent by Jesus Cabello, Holland | 1:58 AM ET | 03-08-2008

Hello, Leroy,

I missed replying to some of your recent posts. I am finding out about those promised chemotherapy side-effects that may come "days, weeks, months, or even years" after the chemo. In the midst of getting my 2nd 3-month lab work and CTScan, a couple of my bloodwork readings went beyond the normal so I have had two days of IV fluids and more bloodwork Monday. So the CTScan is now unscheduled while the doctor is checking to see what organ(s) may have gotten whacked by the chemo. We do know one thing that has gotten whacked by the chemo. Of all the IV's I have had in my hands during surgery and hospital stays and 8 chemo cycles, none have hurt like the two I have had these two days. I believe we can definitely say I have Peripheral Neuropathy pain. It was definitely "Relax or Else" they would have stuck me more times than they did.

There is something about cancer that seems to take us to new experiences in pain that only other cancer patients can understand. I've scanned some of the other posts today and that fact is very clear.

And, some of those machines do give an eerie reminder of torture devices in some of the old horror movies. So while we get to try to figure out how to be comfortable on something an engineer somewhere forgot would be used by someone other than a crash-test dummy, we hear a technician tell us to lay in some certain agonizing position for a specified period of time that brings to mind a certain scene in the "Pit and the Pendulum."

Are we having fun yet? Heck no? or would some "expletive deleted" type term answer that question better?

So we have to learn to relax or else we are in for even more pain from those devices and/or procedures, but hopefully when its all said and done we will win another battle.

Again prayers for us all and a reminder to "relax or else."

Sincerely,
Bobbie in Texas

Sent by Bobbie Hollis | 5:38 AM ET | 03-08-2008

Hi Leroy,

I spend a great deal of time in Radiology apologizing to my patients about "the table". Having been a patient myself, I. too, have first hand experience of how terribly uncomfortable they are. For years, I felt the same way you and everyone else does: if science can give us these fabulous diagnostic and treatment tools, why can't the delivery system be just as fabulous. Unfortunately, it all comes down to chemistry and physics.

In surgery, pain clinic, and radiation therapy, postioning of the patient is crucial as well as having the patient on a surface that is radiopague for radiation to enter or exit. And even though there are paddings that have a degress of radiolucency to them (like the wedges to keep you at an an angle for you lumbar obliques), they still are problematic in causing unwanted artifacts. Most of these surfuces are mostly carbon, which, unfortuntely is not very soft. So in order to give the patient the best diagnostic images, pin-point accuarcy in treatment, this becomes the trade-off.

I was talking to fellow tech the other day about this very subject. I said we could make a fortune developing a table that could perform everything necessary to make the patient's experience a little more comfortable. But, for now, I know we are experts at "cold and hard".

Sent by Teri Thomas | 11:51 AM ET | 03-08-2008

I am wondering, do you consider your treatments curative or palliative. What are your goals at this point.

Sent by Nancy | 1:14 PM ET | 03-08-2008

Dear Leroy and bloggers:
I so appreciate the honesty of this forum - the misery and the joy. I wish it were required reading for all humanity. So few of us are at liberty to share with others the truth about living with cancer, even once we are NED, and thus so few who are not immersed in cancer world have even the tiniest understanding or consideration of what cancer patients and caregiveers go through - and that a cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event, even if one recovers. Every setback is tinged, nevertheless, with determination and hope. Every bit of good news is tinged, nevertheless, with fear of a future setback and with continuing struggle to deal with long-term side effects -- physical, emotional, spiritual. In the face of everything we have been through, can we ever go back to being who we were before? Would we want to? Tess from KY, I so understand your competing reactions to your good news, the desires to shout your good news from the rooftops, and at the same time to curl up in bed to recover from the trauma of what you have survived. To Leroy, and to Tess, and to all of us, I wish for us that we can find a way to prevail in the face of these diametrically opposed truths. I hope we can find a way back to internal peace and calm. I hope others who need to understand will stumble on this blog and others like it, and gain some necessary knowledge. thank you.

Sent by tex | 6:06 PM ET | 03-08-2008

DEAREST LEROY - ACCORDING TO MY BELOVED LONG GONE MOM - YOU HAVE TO BE DOING BETTER IF YOU CAN COMPLAIN - AND YOU ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT DISCOMFORT - NOT FROM CANCER - FROM A HARD TABLE!!!!!! THAT IS WONDERFUL. MAY G-D CONTINUE TO BE GOOD TO YOU AND YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE AER ALL BEHIND YOU.
LOVE, JANICE

Sent by JANICE GOLDBERG WHITE | 7:34 PM ET | 03-08-2008

I found a website several months ago. It is from a man I used to watch when I was about 4 years old. I am 40 years old now and he is 93. He still exercises every day for 2 hours 7 days per week. http://www.jacklalanne.com
Maybe he has some advice that can help you.

Sent by Kevin | 11:19 AM ET | 03-09-2008

For me, those tables were actually more painful than post-mastectomy. Hang on!

Sent by Gyla | 12:26 PM ET | 03-11-2008

Leroy,
Next time you have spend time on an uncomfortable, hard table, bring in your own foam pad or mattress.

Sent by Betsy Marcus | 3:42 PM ET | 03-11-2008