Radiotherapy sessions cancelled - advice please

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Hi, I’m supposed to be having 5 weeks of chemoradiation however the machines are very unreliable and there are long delays often , no fault of the staff obviously but all adds to the stress as you drink your water then have to hold it for much longer than expected. This week they have cancelled two of the sessions due to the lack of machines. I only spoke with the receptionist and forgot to ask if I was supposed to take my chemo tablets despite no treatment. I am assuming I should take them this evening (appt cancelled at 3pm, it had already been put back to 7pm).

also, does anyone know if a break in treatment makes a difference to the effectiveness of the sessions? Todays and Wednesdays ones are cancelled 
thanks

Claire 

  • Hi Claire

    This is so awful, I have not experienced the awful delays you are. It really is a postcode lottery for the treatment of cancer patients.

    Have you asked the cancer nurse in relation to the chemotherapy treatment?, my understanding is that the radiotherapy is the main factor to shrink the tumour and the chemotherapy tablets make it more receptive.

    All my delays have happened post chemo and radiotherapy, with broken scanners and refusing to perform a sigmoidoscopy, due to a lack of detail of what was to take place.

    Good luck and keep strong 

    Liz 

  • Thanks. I took the tablets tonight. I have a planned review with the oncologist tomorrow so if they cancel the session again I will ask to have a telephone call instead (to save the 120 mile round trip!) and I have a list of questions!

  • So sorry your session was cancelled.

    Hopefully today you will get some answers, I bet it isn't what you need after everything else.

    Thinking of you take care

    Kell x

  • Thanks, yes I’m going to ask if k can transfer to a nearer hospital which would at least cut the travel time from 2 hours to half an hour x

  • Let me know how you get on.

    Surely they should let you go to the nearest hospital.

    Take care xx

  • Hi Claire how did you get on today?

    Did you manage to speak to your oncologist regarding change of hospitals?

    I do hope you managed to sort it out.

    Take care 

    Kell xx

  • Hi Kell, Sorry only just saw this message! I had a good conversation with the consultant and it’s not possible to change midway as it would cause a delay and break the treatment. I have just two left this week (one on Saturday to make up for Wednesday) then 5 next week and three the following week so finally the end is in sight! I’ve been given a different anti nausea tablet which has stopped the constant loo trips… just waiting to see if it makes me constipated! So I feel better and not so anxious about the long trips.

    she also explained the next steps so at least I know what’s ahead.

    how is your husband managing with his session? Hopefully all good still! BlushClaire x