Julie,
I was asking Angelo some questions for you this morning...Regarding the radiation...he says that Dick should feel some relief within the first week of treatment. As far as the schedule of radiation...The best guess would be 10 or more treatments...They are usually scheduled for the same time everyday, on the same machine, with the same technicians, and they are consecutive. The first day he will be "Mapped"...they will use prior scans, and x-rays to line up where the radiation beams will go. They will mark him (with a magic marker), you will need to avoid any ben-gay, or other such rubs for the duration of the radiation...Angelo had absolutely no side effects.
As far as the person who called to give you the appointment time...they were most likely just a scheduler...they wouldn't have more information than the time Dick needed to arrive for the first appointment, so don't get discouraged about that.
Water Retention...go over all of his meds, and also call the pharmacist, it could be something as simple as a side effect from a medication...I would start there...
Is he on a sliding scale insulin?
If you need to talk please let me know...
As for you, stress is what is causing your problems I am sure, as they are very similar to bouts I have had myself...take it slow...you can only control what you are in control of...
The urgency we feel is rarely shared by others, and that is soooooo frustrating!
Thinking and praying for you both,
Karen