Having Planning Session Tomorrow

CarolynVM · January 2013

Tomorrow I am scheduled for my simulation. I read about it here and it sounds pretty straightforward. Then I apparently will go back a second time to check the set up and finally I will start the radiation, maybe next week Wednesday. That will be 11 weeks after my lumpectomy. I hope it's not too late to get the maximum benefit from it.

CarolynVM · January 2013

I was mistaken. Today was a CT scan that they call a simulation. The planning session will happen roughly two weeks from today but in theory the radiation itself will happen the day after the planning session. That will make it three months after the lumpectomy. I almost passed out with disappointment. My husband called the radiologist and thinks they'll call him back and he'll get some action for me. I'm totally past hope of getting any respect or care. If I get radiation it will be when they're damned ready to give it to me and not one day sooner. I just can't figure out why they work in medicine if they don't care about helping patients.

Moderators · January 2013

Oh, geez. How utterly stressful! Yes, keep contacting your radiation oncologist, and if you need to, and he is not responsive, go get a second opinion from another radiation oncologist. Hang in there!!!

Annette47 · January 2013

Hang in there! Since it's been so long since your surgery, I understand why you are frustrated (and should probably bring that up with them), but for what it's worth, my simulation was about 10 days before my planning session, so that doesn't seem that unusual. My planning session was on a Friday and I started treament the following Monday.

BilateralBeauties · January 2013

Many, many people have chemo then rads, to they likely do not see the length of time since your surgery as all that scary. I had surgery Sept. 7, followed by chemo then rads on January 9. I think that is four months. While there was still active treatment in the middle, it takes time to get to radiation. The waiting always proves to be the worst, but rest assured they would not hold treatment that decreases effectiveness. Remember surgery removed all known cancer. Radiation has to treat the whole breast and it kills any sneaky cells that are undetectable. It will get the job done when you get started. Good luck and hugs.

redsox · January 2013

They do the treatment planning starting right after simulation with the information from the simulation. Then the visit right before they start is to recheck the treatment plan to make sure everything is all right. Between now and then they design the radiation fields to match your anatomy, some of the most important work on your case. Two weeks may seem like a long time, but it usually takes at least 10 days.

CarolynVM · January 2013

One month after I call for an appointment I get to actually see the RO. Three weeks after I see the RO I get the SIM and two or three weeks more to actually start the radiation. I wonder why everything you read says to start the radiation four to six weeks after surgery -- eight weeks out at the very longest -- unless you're getting chemotherapy. It takes 10 weeks just to get the radiation started! I guess it doesn't matter any more. Between the high oncotype score, my MO's refusal to even consider chemotherapy and the absurd delay starting radiation I now have a 38% chance of metastatic recurrence. NOTHING will change what has already happened. NOTHING.

Having Planning Session Tomorrow

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