Awaiting Oncologist appointment

Hello, yes I had my Oncoligy appointment on the 9th Jan. The letter for my radiation planning arrived really quickly and with that letter was my radiation treatment schedule. The planning appointment was on the 16th Jan and my treatment starts this Monday, the 30th. I am having just 5 days. Not sure if all trusts work the same (I'm Norfolk way) but would think the timings for you will be similar. You might be OK for holiday in April, however, insurance could be tricky. Hopefully someone else can jump in who has been in a similar situation. Or there is a holiday insurance forum also I believe. 

Totally understand the need for a holiday, we've just been conservative and booked a cottage on the Welsh border in September, but can't wait to book a cruise or something lavish as I feel I deserve to be spoilt after all this crap! 

Good luck and fingers crossed  it works out for you xx

I think it might be tight. Once you have your oncology appointment you will be given a planning appointment with radiotherapy team. Then your fifteen sessions will start after this. In my case from oncology appointment to finishing five days of radiotherapy was five weeks. As you will be nearly four weeks of radiotherapy plus oncology and planning appointments it could be getting on for six weeks. I would definitely check with your insurance just in case you need to change the date. I really hope you can get away for your holiday but 18 days of radiotherapy will be very tiring. Sorry I am nit being more optimistic but another factor is that radiotherapy departments are incredibly busy and some areas have longer waiting times. Fingers crossed you hear soon.

I meet my Oncologist next week. We were meant to be going to India next month. We had to cancel which was a palaver. The GP wouldn't sign the form, I filled it in and took it in when I saw the surgeon. He didn't mind signing. 

The company couldn't rebook us. We have just heard they are reimbursing the deposit minus £200. We had no choice but to cancel due to timings. 

Hope you get your trip. We are going to Cornwall in the Summer. Xx

Thank you for the reply. I will just have to keep my fingers crossed xx

Thank you for the reply. I have spoken to my insurance company and as the holiday was booked before diagnosis, there are no extra costs. They did say if treatment prevents me going we can get a full refund.

Any future holidays will incur extra costs for insurance. I must admit I’m not feeling very optimistic it will go ahead.

It would be something lovely to look forward to but just take each day as it comes. At least you have reassurance from your insurance company. Just make sure you drink plenty during radiotherapy treatment, moisturise well and rest!  You will get through this and if holiday gets postponed you will be able to rebook it later!

Thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear you had to cancel your holiday. It was too late for us to cancel our trip as it had already been paid in full. The travel company will not reimburse us and said I need to go through my insurance.

I’m not expecting that to go smoothly if I need to cancel

Sorry that you had to cancel your trip but you want to be fully fit for such an adventure. You will enjoy Cornwall and have your Indian trip to look forward to in the future.

Good advice thanks xx

Hi Valleyside  I had my oncology appt a couple of weeks ago and was told there is approx a 6-8 week wait for radiotherapy. Perhaps a call to the oncologist on Monday might help? Every trust will be different so it’s worth finding out what the situation is like in your hospital. It’s also worth asking if they start it before and it impacts your holiday whether waiting til you come back will be ok. They may well be happy to wait til you’re back if it doesn’t make much difference!