radiation treatment

[probie709]

have vocal cord cancer docs say need 6 weeks radiation treatment location is 200 miles round trip 5 days aweek would prefere one closer to home is radiation radiation why would he want me to go so far my thoughts are follow the money going to be major pain to travel that far for 6 weeks or rent a place there confused wonder what cost is for such a treatment

[10gingercats]

TI can understand you are worried.Would not your first step be to ask the diagnosing doctor why he has taken his decision of a particular hospital for your treatment?You will need (in my opinion) to get an answer from him and not a nurse who assists him.

[rosyG]

that's a very long journey. Have you asked if they have patient accommodation? This is often a cheaper optionHope your treatment goes well

[probie709 in reply to rosyG]

our local hosp has excellent ratings for this procedure thanks

[Hidden]

First why so far away? Next if I was you if have to do it then rent near treatment centre. Treatment can be tiring without the journey every day

[cassie46]

That seems mad, where is your nearest hospital, or are you well and truly living in a remote place. I had 4 weeks of radiation treatment 5 days a week for breast cancer, treatment does not take long but at times appointments seemed to get a bit behind. Half way through the tiredness starts to creep in and certainly by the end of the sessions I was very tired, I did drive my self but then I was only 15 mins from home. I hope you will not be doing the driving that would be exhausting.

I do hope that you can sort this out with a hospital nearer home. By the way the tiredness does last for many weeks after the treatment has finished.

Cassie

[Bagrat]

First step, find out why. If it is a specific targeted therapy may not be available in all Cancer treatment centres. As has already been said hospital may have b&b type local accommodation or a list.

How are you thinking of travelling cos as the weeks pass you may not feel up to solo travel.

[Hidden]

Thought about this early hours couldn't sleep! My sister had a journey for her first appt for radiation for mapping and marking target area for therapy. After that attended her local centre.

[CDreamer]

Certainly in Cornwall there is a current ongoing discussion about such scenarios, the argument put forward is that at a larger treatment centre the outcomes tend to be better because they deal with a larger number of people with a wider range of difficulties.

You would need to ask your referring consultant as to their reasoning - could be equipment, could be policy, could be outcome measures. All convincing arguments but can take a heavy toll on general wellbeing and finance if you are the patient!

Best wishes.

[Hidden]

Hi probie.tripped across your post accidentally looking for something else; was obviously meant to see it! I had vocal cord cancer in 1984-non smoker, non drinker. It was discovered by accident. I was working as an operating nurse in Atlanta Georgia (US). I had tumors on both cords so had a bilateral vocal cord stripping and, like you, had 6 weeks of radiation 5 days a week. I am now 24 years cancer-free. I still have my voice though over the years it has gotten much more whispery. At the time travel was not my problem but having to work was. So 5 days a week I went for my radiation treatment and then on to my 3-11 shift in the O.R. Some days I was so exhausted I thought I had to die to feel better. Couldn't talk-during tx lost my voice temporarily. Carried index cards around to write in lieu of talking. My coworkers were very good to me and helped me get through my 'voiceless' 6 wks. (Radiation,unlike chemo, doesn't have as many sx but itcomes with its own set of difficulties. For me the constant tiredness and exhaustion was the hardest part. But 24 years later here I am kicking and screaming (figuratively) about my afib at age 73. Do what you have to do; go where you have to go. You'll come thru this. Good luck and take care. Feel free to ask anything that might help you. Take care. irina197T

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Correction: 34 years cancer-free not 24. Sorry for typo. irina1975

[probie709]

thanks for info