Dads cancer

Good morning "Lesley". I await my planning meeting appointment and was wondering the exact same question. I had Oncology last Friday when we did the sign up and was told that the treatment would commence in 4-6 weeks, they have slipped a little as they usually have a 4 week wait. (I am at The Freeman, Newcastle). The Cancer UK site states that treatment normally commences 2-3 weeks after the meeting. However, each department has varying demands.

It is fantastic that you are supporting your father through his journey, my son came to my last appointment and I am unsure as to who was the most anxious. The support is so important, yet so draining. I have a couple of friends who have offered to come with me during my 4 weeks and I am going to accept their offer to give my wife a break.

Best of luck and keep us updated please.

Hi Lesleymak77 I think it varies at each hospital but between 5 and 10 days appears normal.  They are usually very flexible about the start date, but once you start, ideally they want the program to finish, although missing a day isn’t a problem apart from messing up the schedule.  If you have a preference for time of day, let them know and they try to accommodate you.

Thank you so much 

I’m also worried if these strikes affect cancer treatment too ! 
so glad your son is supporting you I hope to go to as many as possible with my dad 

take care good luck x

Hi David thanks for the reply 

my dad is priority but we both work myself and my husband so it’s a case of fitting it in as well 

hoping to know more tomorrow 

thank you for the reply 

best wishes x

HiLesleymak77 

we asked the Radiographer after he had his planning MRI and was advised that it would be at least two weeks as they need to have time to decide exactly where they will blast .  We were  just over three weeks  . He had to get to the hospital do the enema as we live too far away to do this at home . Then drink two glasses of water.  He had to then wait till his bladder filled . The actual time getting the treatment was 5 minutes.  But in total it was around 70 minutes from the prep, wait and treatment . 

we went to our local Maggie Centre for a cuppa before and after . It allowed my OH to settle down as we are at least 45 mins away depending on traffic. One occasion it was 3 hours trying to get home due to heavy traffic. 

best wishes to your dad & hugs to too 

Liz & OH xxx

Hi Liz 

thank you so much my dads a bit worried as he doesn’t know exactly what to expect but I shall pass on what you have told me 

bless you x

Hi again Lesleymak77 you said

Lesleymak77 said:

my dads a bit worried as he doesn’t know exactly what to expect

Well the RT is absolutely painless.  The hard bits are finding somewhere to park and boredom!  Tell him not to worry it really is easy.

Best wishes to your hubby. He will probably find he meets with others in the same situation and form new friendships. Strangely enough I used to look forward to seeing my fellow patients and we pretty much formed our own self therapy group. To this day we have a WhatsApp group called “ The Pelvic Thrusts” and keep in touch frequently. Hopefully he can get a lighthearted bunch of people like I was lucky enough to meet ️

Tell your dad he will be fine . My OH was pretty overwhelmed thinking about what he called going down the tunnel . But the staff were amazing and joked with him all the way through it . It certainly set him at ease . 

hugs to you all xxx

Thank you David I think he’s main worry is the enema tomorrow x