Hi
Is there anyone who can tell me if this is OK. I have IBC, have done my 6 months of chemo and go in for double MX on 26th February. All this has been done by my local hospital in Farnborough, Kent. For my Rads I need to go to St Thomas’ in London. They have sent me an appointment for Planning for 12 days after surgery. My question is 'Is this possible; both physically for the planning, and for the travelling on Public Transport in what will be the London Rush Hour.
I am having trouble getting hold of anyone at the hospital who can advise me.
Why are they sending you to St. Thomas’ hospital and not to Maidstone which is surely nearer? I went to Maidstone for mine and
it’s a superb unit, very modern with at least 6 treatment rooms and very nice staff. Having said all that I drove myself every day for 5 weeks (24 miles round trip) and continued working part time and didn’t feel any ill effects from the radiotherapy. So going on the train shouldn’t be too awful - but I would ask about Maidstone. I live near Sevenoaks, so I don’t know if that makes a difference.
I think I am having to go to St Thomas’ because the oncologist that I am under works mainly at Guys and St. Thomas’ and our cancer unit -which is excellent- take their lead from Guys. I think to drive from where I live to Maidstone would probably take me a lot longer that the train journey into town.
Once I am past the planning I intend asking if I can have my rads sessions slightly later in the day.
I suppose yet again I am worrying about the unknown - I only have a vague idea what is involved in the planning session and from what I have read on this site I will be required to lift my arms above my head for a little while. Will I be able to do that 11 days after surgery. I will have to wait and see.
I am another IBC patient (there are not that many of us about…) I had my mx on November 25th and didn’t have to go for my rads planning until Jan 5th… That does sound awfully soon after your op… There is another person here also with IBC who had her mx just before me and had a similar sort of gap until the rads planning…
I really don’t think you will be able to do it that soon… I had my drains in for a week after the op and until those are out you can only do the first basic exercises - certainly no where near being able to lift your arm above your head…
Thanks for all your advise - yet again this site has come to my rescue. I have persevered and spoken to a person instead of an answerphone at the hospital, who agree that 12 days after surgery is much too close. They have moved the appointment to 3 weeks after surgery. That will give me the incentive to do my exercises properly.
