Radiation Machine Broke Down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bandwoman1234

Last week was supposed to be my last week of rads. The accelerator broke down and I missed four days of treatment last week. The bad part was I only had four treatments left. Anyone else have this happen? The first day off felt like a gift and then day after day of postponed treatments felt very disappointing. Hopefully it will be up and working next week. Has anyone had this happen to you for so many days? Hopefully it won't make a difference in my outcome.

Bandwoman

leggo

I think it will be ok. At least in my part of Canada, radiation treatments don't happen on weekends or holidays. I remember missing three days in a row several times during the treatment process. 

DeliriumPie

The machine broke down constantly during my 33 treatments. Usually they could get it working again the same day but there were a few times that it was 2-3 days off. I hated that. It wasn't a good break. It was just delaying healing in my mind. One time it became four days, and the center decided to open on Saturday and Sunday to help everyone catch up on treatments. Good luck. I know it's frustrating!

bandwoman1234

Thanks Leggo and Delirium,

I guess if it wasn't a holiday week it would not be so bad. I just hope they are up and running next week. I guess it is good to know that this probably happens more than we realize. At our clinic here we only go during weekdays and Holidays are off too. I did ask my RO the first time I met her about how awful our winter was and how did the patients make it when there were days we couldn't get out of our driveways. She said missing one day for me wouldn't be bad but she said some types of cancers it is a big deal. So I guess I am hoping there were not any of those cases that had to miss four days of treatments. I was told that Canada now has a shorter radiation regime that we do in the Midwest.
Our protocol is 33 treatments give or take some. Someone told me in Canada the protocol is only 20 treatments. I am not sure if that is accurate. It is interesting how it all works. Have a good week ladies.

Bandwoman