I wonder if anyone can help me please?
I saw my Oncologist yesterday. She said I need 15 sessions of Radiotherapy.
Today, I received a call to say my appointment for my CT Planning Scan is tomorrow afternoon.
Does anyone know roughly how long after my planning session I will start my radiotherapy please?
Thank you xx
Think every hospital is different-I was given my first appointment at the planning session. Mine was three weeks later but I had just had my last chemotherapy so they gave me the three weeks as a recovery period. I know that if you’ve had surgery then they will want to make sure everything has healed properly.
Hi @tracy1
I had my planning session last week and my radiotherapy starts w/c 29th July. Thats over 4 weeks between the planning and first session. I feel my wait has been quite long as that will be around 14 weeks since my surgery and starting radio. It really depends where you are as timelines all seem to be different x
My treatment started about 2 weeks after the initial planning . At that initial session they gave me the date and time of the first radiotherapy treatment . Then when I came to reception for that one they gave me a list of the other ones which were daily but with a break over the weekend . I know some places do radio throughout the weekend as well but none did not. I also had a phone call between the planning session and start of treatment when I was able to ask questions and they gave me more information and access to materials online . There was a useful video on YouTube as well . I’m pretty sure they sent me some info through the post and I had a Breast Care Now info leaflet as well from my BCN. I only had the 5 treatments though .
Some areas seem to be having delays at present for starting radio but I doubt they would send for you for planning if they aren’t able to start treatment fairly soon. Xx
Thank you @clay83 I will be 6 weeks from my third surgery tomorrow, but my first surgery was January as it took 3 operations to get clear margins xx
Thank you so much @JoanneN that’s really useful information. The BCN gave me a little printed out leaflet and Macmillan gave me a booklet on all types of radiotherapy. I was diagnosed in December so am really keen now to get sorted xx
Hi. I’ve just had my 10th RT today out of 15. Doing ok. I started three weeks after my planning session and at that session was given a complete list of all times and dates for the RT. By the time I started I was 11 weeks post axillary clearance. To be honest, I wouldn’t have wanted to start any earlier as I needed to feel that I was completely healed and had to get over a seroma and cording. That time allowed me to do that. Good luck with your treatment. x
Thank you for your reply @countrygirl1 it seems like most people are starting radiotherapy around the same sort of timescale after their planning session.
I am glad you are doing ok and good luck to you with your last 5 sessions.
Big hugs xx
My planning sessions is 19th of Aug to start 28th of Aug. I go away from 2-16th of August and they told me they couldn’t do it before I went away and start on the 19th as 3 weeks would be too long between planning and starting in case I lost or gained weight and it altered the mapping in anyway?
Thank you @swk1981 gosh I didn’t think of weight changes … I’m currently on a diet trying to get back to my pre diagnosis weight. Thank you so much for the heads up. I will speak to them today about it xx
Just thought I would let you know that the moved my planning scan to this morning. It was very quick and easy. I have a provisional date to start radiotherapy of 16th July, hopefully they will be able to keep to this date.
Thank you for all your lovely comments and advice xx
I had my planning session 2 days ago and my first radiotherapy is 25th July. I am having 5 sessions, apparently a study has discovered there is no benefit to having 3 weeks or one, this makes me nervous
Research is changing things all the time . For some people especially those who needs boosts more treatments are needed . When you have 5 treatments the dose per treatment is slightly higher than if you have 15 treatments so although the number of treatments is reduced by two thirds the overall dose is only reduced by one third if that helps . Xx
Hi @annieb1 I’m not sure why they differ. My Oncologist said the 15 sessions would suit me better. Is 25th July provisional for you or a fixed date? Mine is a provisional date xx
25th is booked, I have a follow up with my breast surgeon straight after too, just 2 more Herceptin injections, a heart scan and Zometa infusion, then I’m going to book a holiday!
Hi @annieb1 I don’t blame you! Be lovely to have something nice to look forward to after all you’ve been through!
Good luck with everything 
xx
Thank you and you too xx