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Long delay radiotherapy
Hi folks, just wondering if anyone else has had their rads delayed after the op - according to what my surgeon has told me on at least two occasions, I was expecting a date around a month after my WLE and SNB (21st December), but at my check-up on Friday he said it could be two months after or even three.
Admittedly he might be referring to the fact that, as they can't find the tumour in the bit they took out (it's true!), there's an outside possibility of another operation, which would obviously knock on the rads - but he didn't say this, it seemed much more as if it was quite standard normal to wait so long.
I've had tubular cancer, so I understand that as it's very slow-growing there's no actual danger in waiting, but it's more because I'd like to plan my life a bit - maybe that's a tad naive?!
FC
XO
Hi FireCracker111,
I did have a delay with my rads approx 9-10 weeks, due to my notes being left on someone's desk at another hospital so bit of a mix-up.
If you saw someone on Fri what are the next plans for you?? You need to be able to speak to someone so you know exactly what is about to happen to you. Do you have a BCN? I would contact them as soon as possible. Was it the oncologist you saw, cause if not you may have another appointment in the pipeline and a plan. Try BCN as soon as you can, hope this helps xx
Forgot to say I had 2 ops too!
Hi Firecarcker, so sorry you are experiencing the anxiety of mixed messages and delays... you have enough without that. I don't know where you are in the UK, but I do know that in Glasgow 8-12 weeks wait is pretty typical (we seem to have the longest waits of everyone who comments - but our rad place is one of the few in Scotland and covers a collosal area)
I hope you get things sorted soon. I had my rads beginning 9 weeks after surgery, definitely referred to as 'precautionary' and so far so good. I know it's worrying, but the delay of a few weeks is not likely to have any impact on your outcome, as even fast growing cancers don't grow quite that fast.
Hi, I start rads 23rd jan, 13 wks after surgery, I'm in glasgow. Did have meltdown about it but got reassurance from surgeon. X
Thanks everyone! It does seem logical to me that slower-growing cancer patients would have to wait longer, but it's very good to get that confirmed from you all.
I'm actually a Brit living in Northern Spain, and although the oncology hospital is only half an hour's drive from me and has a very good reputation, it's true that people come from all over to get in there - my operation room-mate had to come from four hours away.
Katytc, how come you had to have two operations? Thanks for your advice about the BCN - I don't have a specific one, just the surgeon's nurse, maybe they don't do that out here (a niche!). I've got another appointment next Friday, to give the pathologist another week to find the tumour, or at least evidence of it (!) so hopefully they can at least tell me whether there'll be another WLE or not.
My main current concern is why they removed so many lymph nodes - seven - as apparently the sentinel gland was clean - I've done another post about that.
FC
XO
Hi FC, I had ten weeks post op before rads for tubular. I queried why so long. Partly I think it was because I wasn't already in the oncology system because I hadn't needed chemo. They said minimum 6 weeks for surgery to heal. I asked if it would make a difference, was worried about the delay. Was told anything up to 6 months was fine so don't think a few weeks makes much difference xx
I had quite a long delay getting rads after Chemo as they were investigating a new lump.... Was meant to be three weeks after Chemo and ended up about 8 weeks later.
Lulu x
Hi FC,
I had 2 lumps first benign, second invasive so had to have another op skin & tissue and lymph nodes checking for spread, was very fortunate no spread!!!Yeh!! Had first op and within 2 weeks had 2nd op they just reopened first op site and took skin and tissue so my scar is a little thicker but I am lucky as it is under my breast.
Hope you find out soon exactly what's happening, all the very best to you for Fri, take care xx
Thanks again, gang!
XO
Hi firecracker,
Sorry you are facing all of this uncertainty my radiotherapy was delayed I had my surgery last september mx with 13 lymph nodes out due to not being able to get my arm in the right position its been delayed until last week so nearly 4 months delay its taken me that long to get over the mx my surgeon said it was because he had to do a lot of dissection on the lymph nodes cutting into the muscle, which is how I understand it, I suppose its a case of better safe than sorry with the lymph node removal just don't know how many are affected untill they take them out I only had cancer in one but they took 13 out, please don't worry too much over this delay, I was also worried and mine is grade 3 IDC with stage IV spread to lungs everything is clear on the mx site and stable on the lungs. I do understand your concern but I am sure if they (the hospital) were anxious about this delay you would know about it.
Sending you lots of cyber hugs
love and light
sarahlousie xx
I had 3 ops and then final mx in Feb 2010. Recovered slowly and maybe because of M.E. I was only attending rads meeting in May 2010! Almost 3 months later! But Onc was fine about it and explained timing was still ok - luckily mine had an even better outcome that they decided at team mtg that rads weren't necessary....
However, I wanted them desperately!
Strange that!!!