Delays in radiotherapy

Hi  and I’m sorry to hear that your mum is struggling. Is she leaking from her bottom or the stoma? You have to be very careful about what cream are used before radiotherapy as some have zinc oxide in (like the nappy rash ones) so can contain tiny particles of zinc. Having said that I was given a cream by the radiographers to use and it was the same one used in hospital to treat my mother in laws sore parts. I can’t for the life in me remember the name of it - think it began with a c - but maybe your mums Colorectal Support Nurse could help if you rang her or even the nurses on here on 0808 808 00 00

I had to have a planning appointment before my radiotherapy where they did a scan and tattooed some tiny dots that are used to line the machine up so I think you might have to start chasing a few people up so your mum doesn’t fall off the radar

Take care

Karen x

Thank you for responding. She is leaking from her bottom and the stoma nurse says she thinks its the tumor as she has tried everything and nothing worked. 

Yes that was the reason for no cream and totally understand just wsnt to make her comfortable. 

She had the planning  on the 18th June so that part is done its just the delays now to starting. Thank you i will follow up again today xx

Hi @fairyfletch she won't be forgotten. From experience there is no way at this stage that she will slip through the net. I admit that it is possible in the referral process for that to happen, but it's very rare.

It does seem somewhat excessive to take so long to prepare a patients treatment after the planning scan, in my own radiotherapy centre that would be done in, typically, ten days or less. Sounds like a long time, but the consultant has to collate information form various sources in order to define the volume to be treated. The planning team then produce a suitable, individualised plan which may involve several feedback stages with the consultant before the plan is independently checked and finally prescribed and approved by the consultant. Lack of consultant availability can affect any of those stages and we all know how busy they are right now.

No patient is ever  put back because they are 'less important', very occasionally some are prioritised very highly but that is never at the expense of other patients. 

Is it aqueous cream your thinking of x

Thank you for your reply it is really helpful. I know theh are under so much pressure and demand and don't want to be pushy just worried for my mum.

Thank you x

Hope you get sorted x