Waiting

Hi Steve. I didn't need any teeth out but you should have your mask and planning somewhere around two weeks...ish after any extractions. Then it will take a week or so...depending on the work the radiologists have already and the software they use...for your tailored plan to be ready. Then you just have to wait for machine availability depending on the capacity your treatment centre has. Ask at your next appointment. I asked at planning and was told I'd have to wait till the first patients finishes.. It was a month for me.

Hi Steve. I had my teeth x rayed just after my op in early October and met the dentists soon after. Then there was mask fitting followed immediately by a pre RT CT scan (using my new mask) and then RT was pencilled to start two weeks later. So the gap between initial x rays and starting treatment was meant to be about 5 weeks but ended up being 6 weeks, as they delayed me by a week. Although from my perspective this seemed an absolute age, as I just wanted to get on with things, they were very relaxed and assured me that the timescale was well within accepted limits. The waiting is bloody hard so what I did while waiting was to try to focus on improving my fitness levels at every opportunity as there is no doubt that the fitter you are going into this the easier the recovery will be. On top of that, mentally just getting outdoors for a good walk or a cycle every day can be incredibly uplifting. Hang in there mate. You’ll be ticking those RT sessions off before you know it. 

Hi,

Thanks for that. It seems that  that time frame is about average. I too have decided to get fitter. I started with some light weights and  brisk walk this morning. It was a lovely morning with plenty of wildlife. 

Hi Steve it’s a process that as much as we would like can’t be rushed. From my mask making ti treatment starting I was lucky 2 weeks I didn’t need extractions and was at a major cancer centre with 12 radiotherapy machines that were constantly in use. Use the time wisely walk exercise gently and don’t dwell on thjngs yiu can’t influence. From first being put in pathway i was  exactly 63 days. 
inwas T2N2NM HPV postive 

Hazel x

Is that an alpaca Steve? If so what’s s/he called? What’s the story? Sorry to be nosy, but I just am! 

RadioactiveRaz said:

From first being put in pathway i was  exactly 63 days. 

Blimey! I went to GP August 7th and was on the treatment table December 12. 
Exactly twice your wait. 
Still here though

There is a small holding up the road from me. They keep all sorts there. This alpaca always says hello.

I went to gp 14 May a fantastic young locum looked at my neck never looked in mouth stood behind me felt with his fingers and the rest is history. Scared doesn’t begging to say how I felt when he said the words don’t be scared I’m putting yiu in the 14 day cancer pathway. It’s inky later when I’ve had access to my notes he typed up suspected head and neck cancer bracketed HPV.If I had got the  grizzly old one who I refuse ti see who knows. Treatment started 14 July the rest is history. 
Hazel 

Hi Steve

I had my first consultation with Dietitian and Speech and Language Therapist on 9th May.

Scans were about a week later.

I had ALL my teeth removed on the 24th of June.

The mask was made 2 weeks later.

A week later from that I had my first Chemotherapy session ( 1 of 2) and my first Radiotherapy session (1 of 30.)

I saw my Nurse, Speech and Language therapist and Dietitian every couple of weeks during the treatment and after it.

I had a PEG tube fitted 2 weeks in from the first treatment. (Which I still have as I can't swallow yet)

You can always speak to someone when you go for your radiotherapy appointments, or email your specialist nurse if you have any questions.

I have finished my radiotherapy and Chemo and have dates for MRI / CT Scans next week to see if the treatent has worked or not.

This is what happened to me - bear in mind everyone is different, but it will give you an idea!

Cheers Steve

Hi there.  I seemed to have flagged this post.  So sorry. It was an accident.  Lizzie