Trying to get a message to my oncologist

Hi Rosedeec1bf9b starting any treatment is extremely stressful, so I can understand how you are worrying about this. I have had radiotherapy myself, and what I can tell you is that the staff were amazing! They are the best people to ask about this on Monday. 

My personal experience with my oncologist secretary has never been good. She takes days to reply to emails, if at all! You did the right thing calling the MacMillan nurse, and I believe she has given you the correct information. 

Try not to worry, you will be well looked after by the radiotherapy team. 

Thanks so much, Chelle.  I appreciate it.

Yes mention it on the day as they are extremely good so I wouldn't keep worrying yourself , I'm personally not allowed any more radiation at all just stop worryingxxx

Thank you Paul.  I feel better for sharing it.

Hi

The Macmillan nurse was right, it is the Radiologists you need to speak to, not the Oncologist....two different specialities.  For instance; when I go for my follow up scan results, the Oncologist I see said that he just reads the report from the Radiologist, he even said that without the written report he would not know how to interpret the CT scan images because he is trained in Oncology not Radiology.

I would ring the radiology department and explain things, they will be better placed to decide what to do.  Your planning tattoos will have been done to precisely direct the radiotherapy beam to the area needed, and usually any deviation from this affects the efficacy of treatment. 

Your investigations, diagnosis and subsequent treatment will have been done by a number of different specialists, i.e. Respiratory, Oncology, and Radiology, together with the Consultant Nurse Specialists, they all form a multidisciplinary team.

Regarding your cough and cold and beginning treatment, I had similar in the middle of my radiotherapy.  I was told by the Radiologist that, if I didn't have a temperature and was feeling okay, not feverish or achy, then I was okay to have my treatment.  

Best wishes for Monday.

Ann

Hi

It's a shame you have problems contacting your Oncologist's secretary. I am a retired medical secretary, I was a personal secretary to two Consultants, one in Gynaecology and the other Burns and Plastic Surgery.  I worked alongside other medical secretaries, and unfortunately a few of them were not particularly dedicated to their job and didn't prioritise patients, I would take calls sometimes from their patients, all complaining of lack of communication.

I am "old school", as they say, having done it for 30 years. I loved my job and did it to the best of my ability.  I used to receive lovely thank you cards and boxes of chocolates from patients, knowing that they could contact me anytime with a problem.  My Oncologist's secretary is very good, emails and phone calls are answered promptly.

If this is an ongoing problem, you can call the secretary's Line Manager, who are responsible for all the secretaries in the Oncology Dept. and explain your problem of none communication.

Regards, Ann

Hi i dont know what type of radiotherapy your having but i have had 3 different types but ALL of the operators knew exactly what to do as long as you tell them , i had sabre treatment right on lockdown but that was an exact target just let them know youll be fine

Thanks everyone for your comments