How long after surgery can you wait to have rads?

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Houndmommy
Houndmommy Member Posts: 377
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I had a mx May 17 and didn't find out that my margins weren't clear until I saw my surgeon 3 weeks later.  I had one margin that was 1mm and one that was 3mm.  I couldn't get in to see the radiation oncologist until almost 3 weeks later (last Thursday) and they won't start the set-up process until June 30 with actual rads starting about 1 week later.  So, I am sooo worried that rads are starting nearly 7 weeks past my surgery (the doc said they normally start 4 weeks post surgery but of course didn't comment when I mentioned that I would be nearly 8 weeks post surgery - brushed it off like it wasn't a big deal).  Meanwhile, I have a family reunion/vacation July 10 that I can't go to now and an August vacation I may also have to cancel.  THis is all very hard on the whole family as we all look forward to our 2 trips home in the summer and after what we've been through so far I feel like we really need them.  Since I am so late getting started with rads anyway I am considering asking the doc if I can wait to start until I get back from the family reunion which would put me 9 weeks post surgery.  Ultimately I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my future health.  The only other treatment I will have is Tamoxifen after rads.  Any thoughts?  Thanks, Kim 

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited June 2010

    Kim-

    I was told that ideal time for rads is about 6 weeks post surgery. I started my rads 10 weeks after surgery because I was waiting for the results of my Oncotype DX test to find out if I needed chemo. The test was not ordered at the time of my surgery, but a few weeks later by the onco I decided to go with.

    I ended up not getting chemo because of my low Onco score, but my rads were delayed for a few weeks. My onco said that in the big scheme of things, the wait is not significant, and I'm choosing to trust him and move forward. I'm also taking Tamoxifen and have been for about 12 weeks with no major side effects.

    I'm so sorry your rads are interfering with your family fun this summer. Hopefully your doctor will OK the wait until after your reunion but I don't think I'd go in August. Maybe your family could plan a vacation later? My husband and I went to Disneyland when I finished my rads and had a great time! 

    Mary 

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