Newbie

Hi

it does seem a long time to wait. I am just finishing my radiotherapy to both breasts and waited 8 weeks after surgery. 
is there another hospital they can send you to speed it up. If it’s for lack of resources may be better in another area. Have a chat with the Macmillian nurses.  

Hi PEB24 

Welcome to the Community. I am sorry to read about your diagnosis and the delays to your radiotherapy treatment. It’s probably worth remembering that you have had surgery with what sounds like a good result, and that other treatments such as radiotherapy are aimed at reducing the risk of recurrence. That said, 7 months does sound a very long time. You might want to contact the lovely MacMillan nurses to get their guidance on this?

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert

Hi ,

I had a lumpectomy in one breast in July 2023 and my radiotherapy was for 15 sessions in December 2023 . I also had clear lymph nodes and at the time I didn’t really think about the time factor  . I was unable to tolerate the hormone therapy so thankful my mammogram this year is still clear .

its a lot to take in with having another diagnosis so soon so I wish  you all the best for the future . 

Hello. I had my RT about 6 weeks after my 2nd surgery (about 4 months after my original first surgery).  I wanted to delay it about another 5 weeks to after my holiday, but the oncologist warned against it, as he said the RT is better done as soon as possible after surgery to catch any cells that might be remaining.

So 7 months seems a long time, it may be better travelling to another hospital if they can accommodate you. X

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply. 
I have asked if I can be treated somewhere else sooner and haven’t heard back as yet but will definitely pursue.

it seems like too long to wait .

 I hope you’re doing ok after your surgery and that the radiotherapy is going as well as possible. X

Hello Coddfish,

Thanks so much and greatly appreciated.

Having looked into any information I can find the research seems to show that waiting increases risk. I have contacted my Clinical nurse specialist  to say I’m willing to travel anywhere but haven’t had a response as yet.

 I will definitely check out your link, Thank you.

Hi Phyllis A,

Thanks for sharing your experience and great to hear that your mammogram is clear. I’m sure that must be a great relief.

For me the concern is that the wait is due to lack of staff rather than clinical guidelines and I didn’t expect it to be quite so long. 

It’s helpful to hear other experiences for comparison.

Wishing you all the best too x

Hi Aia,

Thanks for sharing your experience. That’s really helpful and your oncologists advice seems to make sense. (Although I’m sorry about your holiday).

I hope that all going well with your recovery. X

Hello, thank you-i still went on my holiday a month after finishing the RT and was fine.    I've just had my first follow up mammogram and all is good .

I hope you can get started sooner elsewhere X

Hi, welcome to the club nobody really wants to join. 

Remember that you have had surgery and, unless your Consultant has told you anything else in your post op review, the surgery was successful.

The radiotherapy is to make sure everything is clear 

You have got this far and your surgery site will have a good chance to heal properly before you have your radiotherapy.

I wonder if perhaps you could ask for your radiotherapy to be done at a different hospital because of the staff shortage?

However, try not to get wound up over everything, you are doing alright.

If you get upset or stressed make full use of this club plus you can phone your own breast care nurse or the helpline at Macmillan for support.

Gentle hugs to you - you are doing fine xx