I can't remember if I told you this or not. In April of 2008 (hey, that's earlier this year) I went into the hospital to have a hole in my heart closed. They found three. They could only close two. The procedure was supposed to last two to three hours. It lasted seven.

In May of the same year I developed a radiation burn. I knew immediately it was a radiation burn because it was a perfect red square. It was itchy. Well, it got worse. That same month I was back in the hospital to be put on new medication. I let them know about the burn. They referred me to a "Wound Care Center". I went to the Center from June to September.

On September 12, 2008 the "Wound Care Center" said that the radiation burn was healed. However, they had previously told me that radiation burns never completely go away and that they could "go back on you".

Shortly after being given a certificate that reads "100% cured" the burn is back and worse then before. In fact, it now has a lamp. Because I have congestive heart failure (as well as congenital heart problems) I cannot sleep on my back. Prior to the burn I could sleep on the left, but preferred sleeping on the right (where the burn is). Now that the lump is here I cannot sleep on that side. So now I am forced to sleep on the left and that's difficult to do all night long. I find I am not getting enough sleep.

This is an example of venting.

Thank you for reading.

Please feel free to share your story or sympathize with mine.