Radiotherapy over Christmas break

@Chelley59, I think the 90 days was a default which was set when I first joined Hesta. Many years ago when I was living in NZ and only coming here to do remote contracts. So my super at that stage was not a concern. Unfortunately for me I had never reviewed and certainly wishing I had. Work has been really good so far, thanks. Pleased for you that you have that option  :)
All the best for your further surgery,
Michelle x

Hi Michelle...im surprised your super fund doesnt cover you....ours has an option of 90 days or 30 days sickleave...i dont know why ppl would choose 90 ? Il get 75 % of my wage but it should get me through...id hate to think what i would have done if i were casual...thats an added stress we dont need....im hoping your workplace is supportive of you...x

That will help you Mjheke to feel some sense of order ahead. 

Update!! Radiation oncology appointment tomorrow  :) At least then I will have a plan...

All the best for Thursday @Chelley59! I see we are both Nurses. I attempted a return to work yesterday and it was a disaster...2 weeks post-op, and certainly didn't want to return, but I don't have income protection (I do have some on my super but a 90 day stand down period and certainly not enough to cover any part of my wage). I have a large Seroma which makes it incredibly uncomfortable at my breast-it is about twice the size of the other, I ended up with not only a sore breast, but an incredibly sore back, I think from compensating my posture due to the size and pulling at the surrounding structures-neck, shoulder, axilla, arm. Hence I am off again today. I saw my surgeon yesterday who is going to contact Radiolotherapy to see if they can get going with my treatment plan, so that I know what the plan is over Christmas.

Michelle x

Thanks @JoeyLiz, great advice. I am still waiting to hear-I saw my surgeon yesterday who is going to contact them to hopefully move things along a bit.

The centre would only close for the public holidays. When you get a call about your planning appointment let them know you have a trip booked and they may be able to speed up your start date and use the shorter fractionation and do some bidailys, you never know if you don't ask!

Oh seromas are a pain, you poor thing, yes unfortunately draining them is an infection risk. I would keep in contact with your breast care nurse hopefully they can offer some advice.

Thanks @JoeyLiz, And @SoldierCrab that clarifies things, I suppose though I will have to ask which days they will definitely be closing. If those start times are correct, that means I will be starting between the 3-17th of December, so would definitely be affected over the Christmas period. We have also  got a trip booked home to NZ for Christmas, and my surgeon had said my treatment would all be over by then. He estimated I would need approximately 5 weeks which was why I asked the question. 

I don’t want to delay my treatment, so looks like we may have to cancel our trip home?? It’s really hard not having a plan as I’m sure you all know! 

@JoeyLiz, I see you also had a seroma. I am struggling with a very large one which runs across the top of my breast to the back of my axilla. I am 2 weeks post op and did have it drained last Tuesday, however it has come back(within 24hrs) and is now much bigger and more uncomfortable. My surgeon says he does not want it drained again due to infection risk, but when do I go back if it keeps getting bigger? Or is there anything else that can be done? My breast is significantly larger than my other breast. It was supposed to be the other way around!

Michelle 😞

Thank you JoeyLiz🙂

Hi there,
Radiation should be started 4-6 wks after surgery, the tissues and scar need time to heal.
If appropriate for your size and shape you may only require 16 treatments (or 20 if you are having a boost) instead of the 25+5.
Built in to the prescription is time for your body to heal (that's why you get the weekends off), public holidays are considered the same if it is only a 2 day break. Having said that we don't like too many breaks at the beginning of a course (so you wouldn't start on a Friday or the day before a public holiday) as that isn't beneficial radiobiologically. If you are due to finish just after a public holiday a bidaily treatment can be given ( 2 treatments in 1 day at least 6 hours apart).
Please be assured that your rad onc and radiation therapists will think ahead and do what's best for you. Best wishes.