Radiotherapy waiting time

Oh dear, that is so frustrating. There is a national shortage of Radiographers which doesn’t help. I wouldn’t worry too much because if they got clear margins you should be low risk. My diagnosis was identical to yours but I had sentinal lymph node biopsy too which was clear.  I had my op in early September and have just finished my radiotherapy. My oncologist did say Iwas very low risk and they just do five days of radiotherapy as a precaution so I am sure you will be fine if it is done in December.I know it is hard to relax as all of us feel the cancer is just lurking waiting to come back.We all just want our treatment finished. Have you been prescribed Hormone Therapy?  The surgeon and oncologist seem quite keen on this.  Fingers crossed that you get your treatment soon.

Evajean x

I had senital lymph node biopsy too which was clear so it sounds very similar. I was expecting to get it in December but when oncologist said it might be January that really got to me. I know I’m low risk and radiotherapy is a precaution to help prevent recurrence but I think I’d set my heart on having treatment finished by end of year given I received the diagnosis in June. I have been taking Letrozole since July and have to take it for 5 years. Fortunately only a few side effects which are tolerable at moment but the oncologist did say that if the side effects became intolerable to get back in touch and they’d look at changing it or, if necessary, I could stop taking it as the benefit of taking it isn’t that big. I’m also going to get annual mammograms for 10 years. It didn’t help I think that it was a telephone consultation and I wasn’t expecting it until tomorrow so wasn’t ready with questions I’d thought of. 
Alison x

That’s not good that it was a phone call and on a day when you were not expecting it.  Yes we sound very similar cases. I am on Anestrozole for five years then they will review. I started it 8 weeks ago and coping.  I can only imagine how you feel because I know when I got my letter through giving me dates for radiotherapy planning appt and then five days of treatment, I was really happy that the end was in sight. Until you complete your radiotherapy you can’t move on.  Why don’t you speak to your Breast Care Nurse?  Tell her that you are feeling extremely anxious and would there be any chance of fitting you in earlier. Sometimes the BCN can get opportunity to bring things up with the team. The waiting is definitely the worst part and plays havoc with your mind. Let me know if you get anywhere.  I didn’t actually see an oncologist. My first appointment in oncology was with Consultant radiotherapist, maybe her title is oncologist, not sure. Her name was Pippa and she was so lovely. At my first appointment after my post op appt, she explained all about radiotherapy treatment, showed me a video of what would happen at the planning meeting and gave me an approximate time for my treatment.  It was a lovely relaxed meeting where I asked her loads of questions.  I saw her in the  Department most days. You need this too, not a phone call that you were not prepared for.  I do hope something gets sorted so you can get your treatment finished. Take care.

Evajean xx

Thanks for support. Better news. I emailed the oncologist to express my anxiety about the further wait etc. Not sure if it’s coincidence or not but  I received a phone call from the radiotherapy department this morning so I have planning appointment on the 5th December and week of radiotherapy starting on the 19th December so will be finished just before Christmas. It’s such a rollercoaster of emotions going through this isn’t it. 
Alison xx 

Yes!  That is great news. Never hesitate to push the consultants/Drs if you are not happy. I think if you do it in a nice polite way they really don’t mind. A pain that it is just before Christmas but I felt fine having mine so it shouldn’t make you feel ill, just a nuisance going every day. You will be able to enjoy your Christmas knowing that your treatment is finished apart from HT. 

Evajean x

I’m fortunate in that I live 15 minutes walk from the hospital so I don’t have worry over parking or a journey so that should help. I’ll just have to make sure I’ve got as much done as I can for Chrtmas before that week . But very happy to complete it before Christmas and before our holiday in January to Mexico  x

Just one little tip before you start is to practice lying on a firm surface with your arms above your head and then to relax into the flat surface. You have to stay in this position, perfectly still for quite some time.My shoulders really ached which made it harder to relax so I took paracetamol about an hour before starting my treatment each day.It did help.The soreness might have been just personal to me as I have suffered with frozen shoulder in the past but it was such a relief when you could bring your arms down.

I had my op mid Sept and my planning session is 28th Nov.  It's felt like an age waiting.  They hope to complete the 5 days of radio within 2 further weeks but no dates yet.  Glad to hear you have your dates now, I suspected Stage 1 Grade 2 ER+ would be a lower priority, I just hope the nurse strike doesn't affect cancer treatment.

Thanks for tips. I had a CT scan before with a cannula in elbow area and had my arms above my head which was hard but only for short time so I think it’s a good idea to practice. Will also practice holding my breath. X

I think I could accept being lower priority but felt given my 1st operation was in mid July I felt I’d already been pushed down priority list and knowing some other people were only waiting 8 weeks etc was hard. I’m really hoping when they say cancer treatment won’t be affected by strikes it includes radiotherapy x