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Expected appointment after Radiotherapy

DHLDS
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Hello 

can anyone offer any advice ? 

My 85yo mother was diagnosed with lung cancer back in August . Due to her age and frailty ( she has lost significant amount of weight and continues to do so) it was decided was prescribed a course of Radiotherapy. This was completed mid September. 

To date , my mother has not been seen to review what impact ( if any ) the Radiotherapy has had . 

The cancer was extremely difficult to locate ( had numerous MRI/PET scans) and was found to be behind the oesopagus/ in front of heart. 

It was mentioned that due to the cancer location , it may cause irritation/narrowing of the oesophagus, which it has . Her weight loss and frailty continue. 

Should she have been seen by now? We’ve tried to get her into her GP, but we’ve not been able to get an appointment. 

 

Any help would be gratefully received. 

 

  • Offline

    I think your mother must have a cancer care team and should have been given a number to contact rather than being left in limbo. You need to get on to the hospital where she was treated and ask them the questions you are concerned about. The radiotherapy will continue to work for some time but she needs to be told when she can expect a follow up appointment and at what point they will call her or write with an appointment. I don't think her GP would be any use except for other minor problems. Your message actually upset me to. think of what you and your mother are coping with. Check out the hospital website for contact numbers if you don't have any and call or email or both. You are your mother's advocate. She deserves to be heard. Good luck.

     

  • Offline in reply to mairedubh

    I can only agree with everything Maire has said.

    Sometimes mistakes are made and follow up appointments aren't booked. Whoever did the procedure will need to know whether it worked or not too. A follow up scan after a number of days or weeks is usually set up routinely.

    This has happened to me on more than one occasion - I usually ring the hospital switchboard and ask to speak to my Oncologist's /surgeon's medical secretary then explain my situation and ask her to sort it out. 

    Don't be shy - your Mum has a right to proper treatment regardless of her age and if this isn't delivered they are failing in their legal and moral duty of care.

     

    Best wishes
    Dave

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