How long after chemo did you start radiation?

I am curious too. I know I
I am curious too. I know I need radiation but am starting chemo next week. I haven't made an appointment with my radiation oncologist yet although I do have one and saw him after my diagnosis. Also wondering when I might need to do this although chemo won't be over until August sometime.

Please don't be nervous, Mar
As with all else regarding treatments plans, things can differ widely for each of us.

My own chemos were exactly 3 weeks apart. My very first rads treatment was 3 weeks after my final chemo. Actually, started rads on a Monday - chemos were on Wednesdays. So, it was a few days more than 3 weeks.

However, before beginning rads treatment - there are necessary preparation appointments in addition to meeting with your rad onc doctor. Referred to in layman's terms as "measurements"... "trial runs"... etc. Please know that there's a little more "flexibility" (for lack of a better word) with rads for most of us. For example, a med onc doctor might feel the patient needs a bit more recovery from chemo before beginning rads.

Remember that chemo is the post-surgery "big guns" of treatment. It is systemic - flows everywhere within the body to destroy bad cells that might be "on the run"... Rads is sometimes referred to as an "insurance" policy - gets any leftover cells that maybe/might be hiding deep within tissue.

My suggestion: try not to worry - it's the weekend, not much you can do about it, anyway. However, call your med onc on Monday to revisit the subject: get the name of rad onc doctor referral and discuss appropriate timing. Get the ball rolling, so to speak. Then, I think, you'll feel better about it.

Kind regards, Susan

ppurdin said:

Radiation
Hi,I started about 10 days after Chemo.But everyone is different,good luck.

I will not start rads for 6
I will not start rads for 6 weeks after chemo because of surgery. so not to worry.

About 3 weeks
I had an initial meeting with radiation onc just as I started chemo -- doctors initially thought I wouldn't need chemo so the appt was made and onc said keep it. I'm glad it worked that way. It was nice to meet everybody and see it, so I had some familiarity with them when I started.

Rads onc said to call when I finished chemo. They had me come in 2 weeks after I finished chemo and didd the measuremeents etc. I had the simulation 10 days later and started then.

Enjoy your break! Finding that sweet spot between pushing yourself so you'll get stronger (not to mention just get stuff done) and allowing yourself to get the rest needed is a real art form, isn't it?

Angela

Know How You Feel
Marlene, I posted the same question last May. I was very worried like you. But it's like others have written. In the end, I started radiation about a month after chemo. My oncs. were not particularly concerned, and I had time to recover some strength and have some normal time before daily rads.

Time Table........
Marlene,
I started radiation three weeks after my last chemo.....but I had met with the radiation oncologist two months prior......As someone said, there are things that have to be done before you can actually start rads treatment.......markings or tattoos......measurements, a trail run......I also had a mold made which took about an hour...this was made so that I was put in the EXACT same postion during each treatment....made it much easier...all this was done the same day, I was there about two hours....once that was finished the radiation oncologist came into the room to make sure all the measurements and markings were correct......nothing hurt, a little "bee sting" for the 4 tattoos.......just time consuming...then I started rads the very next day....During the first few I was very apprehensive, a big machine circling my body.....I never ONCE looked, as soon as the techs left the room and the door closed, I closed my eyes......never saw it one time.....for me that made it so much easier.....eventually, I could tell just be the sounds when I only had one zap left.....as for the tiredness, you maybe over a bit of it from the chemo once you start rads.......I never felt the tiredness effect from the radiation for 4 weeks, about the same time I started turning pink........I am 3 months out of all treatment now.......but there are days when I still get tired, and I just listen to my body and rest.....My radiation oncologist told me that usually it takes about 7 weeks once treatment stops to overcome the worst of the fatigue.....but he also said for some, especially those who have had chemo before rads, can experience some level of fatigue for one year......Again, I just listen to my body.....
I wish you well starting this last part of "the journey".........just keep your eye on the finish line!
Nancy

WJGardner_Dec2009 said:

Radiation Treatment
Marlene,

I had my radiology appt. (weeks prior, which was at my surgeons request)prior to my onlcology appt. of which I just started chemo last week(about 6 months - 6 full treatments with 12 herceptin treatments in between) and will start radiation after that. That was a concern of mine also, about not starting radiation right away but those I have spoke with have said it is usually after chemo. It may depend on the type of treatment though.

Wanda

Hi Marlene, I am just doing
Hi Marlene, I am just doing chemo# 2 tomoorow and have 2 more to go. My cocktail is T/C 4 cycles, 3 weeks apart. A week after my chemo I had an appt. with the rad doc and he was mad at my chemo doc because she never let him know I was in chemo. The saddest thing about this is they both work in the same cancer center. Anyway, I have left nothing to their devices. I call alot. Maybe they'll get tired of that and communicate so they can shut me up. Anyway, he said he would see me sometime in Apr. I calculate my last chemo to be in early Apr., so I will be at his appt. desk on the day I finish the 3rd one. I really don't think you need to worry I read that they like to give you a bit of a break. I'm so happy you are done with chemo. That's a big step under your belt. Gayle

Marlene_K said:

Exhaustion
Yes, in a way I'm not complaining, as chemo whooped my butt and it's giving me time to regain my strength. I still get mad at myself because I plan on a Saturday to clean my house, and then wind up on the couch all day, eating, watching movies & napping! I'm scared that the exhaustion I have from chemo mixed too closely with the exhaustion from rads could make me a permanent couch potato! I have an appt with my onc on Tuesday and I'm hoping I get some reassurance.

Thanks again ladies!

Want to wish you good luck
Want to wish you good luck with rads Marlene!


Hugs, Leeza

Mar,
I started within a few weeks. But I met with my radiation oncologist even before I started chemo to talk about what would come next. I also met with her again before chemo ended to do my simulation. That way things were all ready by the time I finished chemo. Is there a reason why your onc. is choosing to wait? At the least, there should be no harm in seeing the radiation oncologist to discuss treatment.

Mimi