What to ask the Radiation Oncologist?

Odd isn't it, I was a public patient and I've never had a follow up appointment. It wasn't even mentioned. At the end of treatment it was 'Go to emergency if you think you are getting an infection.' 

@Zoffiel good thinking! Will write that down to ask my rad onc this week.

I also have to ask him how was his holiday so that's two questions, I will hopefully help him feel like he is earning his salary.

@sister I had seen the rad once a week , then a fortnight after I finished then, 3 monthly appts turn into 6 mthly.

I'm sure she told me that I see her forever (5 years I guess)! Her words were you don't get rid of us !!! This was going public in Melbourne . My skin was ok too so I didn't really have much to ask her .

I'm only having 15 so hoping that the skin stays good.

I saw my radonc once a week as well as a specialist nurse. I had a two week review as my skin had broken down the last week.  Then 2 x 3 month appointments after that. I have a 6mth review tomorrow afternoon.  She also says it's an open door and if I have anything I want to speak with her about just ring and make an appointment. 

Normally I have nothing to ask but in the last few weeks the bit on my chest that got nuked has a shooting pain through it every so often and I absolutely cannot expose it to sun  so I need to check that out. 

Agree with @Zoffiel ,  what if you have problems 6 mths down the track????

I am public, but was accepted through a private hospital don't know if that makes any difference or not.  You'd think they'd want to get rid of me as I'm not paying  LOL.
Glad your skins hanging in there @Sister.  How many treatments did you have?

xoxox

Ask how long they consider your relationship with them to continue. Most rads oncs don't seem to schedule follow ups, but it would be good to know what conditions/complications they want to see you about. If you have excessive scarring etc in the future, do they consider that their remit, your GP your surgeon (you get the drift) The response will probably be 'very few people have problems' but it's worth pushing the 'what if' button.

@Sister good to hear that the skin is holding up!

TBH I reckon seeing the doctor once a week as well as the nurse is a bit OTT.

Just another person who wants you to whip out your baps!!

But the nurse is lovely and I'm glad she's keeping an eye on things for me.

I'm in public, too but I've spoken mostly to Registrar's prior to treatment and only to nurses since starting.  So far, my skin has held up really well (fingers crossed that I don't jinx myself) and there hasn't been any noticeable tightening of the scar.

Hi @Sister the only thing I might ask at the end of my radiotherapy is how long I should keep up the moisturizing regime once treatment is over. Have you had much of a skin reaction? Apparently that can peak after treatment is over - might be worth asking about.

Pretty crappy that you've only seen him once. At my radiotherapy clinic (in public system) you get to see the doctor and a nurse weekly.