Rads consult, questions?

[Chelee]

I have had some bad luck at my current cancer center so now its time for me to get rads. I decided I would have a consult with my current cancer center...AND a larger cancer center that is further away from me...but I have some problems with my anatomy that will cause problems so I have to be REAL careful about who does what to me. Plus it doesn't hurt to get more then one opinion.

But anyone here that have had Rads already...can you please tell me what are some of the most important questions I should make sure to ask? I know when I first started chemo I didn't know anything and now looking back wish I would of. So I want to cover everything now BEFORE I get down there.

Can anyone give me questions to ask that I would probably not think of since this is all new to me? Any help would be appreciated.

Chelee

[Becky]

Here are some:

1. how many sessions and how many boosts to the area where the cancer was?

2. What percentage of the time does the machine go down (needs repair because then you can't get a treatment that day)?

3. What topical creams do you recommend I use on a daily basis and what are you going to do if I burn badly?

4. Can I take any supplements?

5. Are you going to check my arm for lymphedema symptoms and what are you going to do if I develop any?

6. What kind of risk of recurrence reduction will radiation provide me?

7. How carefully do I have to maintain (keep stable) my weight during radiation?

8. Are there any foods I should avoid?

This is all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else, I'll write back.

Love, Becky

[Chelee]

Becky, I SO APPRECIATE you taking the time to list some questions for me. I have my appointment Wednesday and its a long drive. I haven't a clue what I should ask? But thanks to you..I have a good start now thanks to you. Maybe I can do a search on google for questions to ask?

If anyone else on this board can think of anything I should write down...I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again Becky.

Chelee

[Bev]

Hi Chelee, As you will be going 6 to 7 weeks, location has to be a big part of it. The hospital I did mine at had 2 machines and I don't think they broke down. But they would be late because they had to do things for emergency patients pre surgery. At least that's what they said. There would sometimes be an hour wait. It always happens on the least convenient day. The bright side, you'll have some fun in the waiting room with the other ladies waiting for rads. If being on time is important, ask. I know that people at other locations seldom waited, I just wasn't willing to drive an extra 1/2 hour not to wait. BB

Make sure you ask if the center provides a "team approach". This means that the dosimeter specialist, a nuclear physicist and the rad oncologist all put their heads together in your treatment plan. Also, the techs that administer your radiation are usually NONE of the above. Make sure the techs are qualified by ensuring they are licensed. You don't want the front desk clerk who just got promoted to tech to provide your radiation treaments...

I always had two techs in the room and both would check and re-check each others' positioning of me. Also ask if you will get one or two techs to provide the radiation.

MTS (Maria)

PS- I recall reading somewhere that applying the burn cream 2 weeks in advance of treatment will condition your skin better than starting the cream with your first radiation treatment...

[sassy]

Chelee,

The center where I took my radiation was a little over an hours drive from my home. I asked for the first appointment in the morning. That way, there was no back-up from other appointments, plus, if there was a problem with the machine, I was the first one in when it was fixed. I would run errands or go shopping and they would call on my cell phone as soon as it looked like they were back up. I had 7 weeks of treatment and only missed one day when the machine was completely down. There were about three days that I had to wait for the machine to be checked.

Sassy
________
WEB SHOWS

[Chelee]

Sassy, Very good point about going early. I don't have to go as far as you. That HAD to of been rough driving that far everyday. Its only about 10 minute drive for me. I keep seeing people mentioning the machines breaking down at times. That is something I would of never thought about. Glad it was brought up. I will ask them how often that happens, and find out how many Rad machines they have there?

Bev, Your right about the location...I was checking out another cancer center for a 2nd opinion on my rads. But my current center is only 10 minutes away...where as the other one is 45 minute drive. I CAN'T imagine the way I feel these days driving that far in the traffic I have here. So that I take in big consideration. I am suppose to go for a total of six weeks daily. That is going to be so hard on me. But one day at a time...right. If all you gals can do it...I can too some how? (I hope.)

I like your point about the waiting room Bev...that is the only time I had fun going to my infusions. I loved all the people there and got to know so many of them. We all talked, laughed and had fun. So I hope the Rads Dept is like that too.

Maria, That is some GREAT information I needed. Thanks! I didn't know about any of that. I do know my center SAYS they have a TEAM apporch...not sure how well they use it after some problems I have ran into. But my case was presented to a cancer board before all this started and it was suppose to of been discussed?

But now when you meantion TEAM as in a dosimeter specialist, a nuclear physicist & Rad oncologist...I HOPE thats the team they meant? I WILL now know to ASK these question before I start tx. I have a Rad appt next week so I have been writing down all my questions. These that you have are excellent and very important to me since I have some problems with missing ribs that can cause me serious problems. I NEED to have someone experienced doing my rads...not techs that are still in training. I have had enough problems as it is. Thanks so much for the info!

Chelee