Everybody’s treatment journey is unique, but there are several common stages that you can expect.
Everybody’s treatment journey is unique, but there are several common stages that you can expect.
After being referred, you will have a first meeting with Dr. Pandey to discuss next steps, get familiar and begin to determine a treatment plan.
Our team will meet with you to go through your plan and any questions you have in detail and ensure you feel comfortable.
Prior to starting your treatments, you will meet with your specialist to determine key details of how treatment will be done – including best body positioning and targeting of the treatment area for greatest accuracy and results. Following the simulation appointment, your specialist team will build your plan in great detail to provide the safest and most effective treatment approach. This process uses sophisticated software and is a collaborative approach that can take up to 2 weeks depending on the complexity of the site and the treatment required.
Before the first day, you’ll receive specific information to follow to prepare for your specific treatment.
Allow approximately one hour for your appointment on the day. Many patients are surprised at how fast and easy radiation therapy is. In most instances, the treatment itself takes only 10-15 minutes, and is pain free. It’s good to allow a bit of extra time so you are calm and relaxed and have time for any conversation or questions to be addressed. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Your specialist team will provide detail and support for your specific treatment on the day.
You are welcome to bring a support person with you for your sessions which can make it a much more positive experience.
You will have weekly check-ins with your team to monitor side effects. We will also arrange for a special session during this time to provide you with more information about how your treatment is done, what to expect and answer your questions. We are always available, throughout the entirety of your treatment, to support you.
Treatment time will vary depending on your treatment plan.
Nearing the end of your treatment plan, we will meet to set the care plan for after the last treatment, such as tests or check-ins to monitor results and keep on top of your recovery, as well as provide you guidance around any special advice you’ll need to follow to support recovery.
As always, we’ll continue to be available to support you in the weeks following treatment, and we will provide a report to your GP to assist them to provide continued general health care ongoing. Short-term side effects can peak between 1-2 weeks after treatment, and some (such as tiredness) can continue for a few months. These should ease over time as you recover, give yourself time, care and compassion.
Dr Pandey is deeply committed to ensuring patients have the best possible experience and quality of life during and after treatment. He has an extensive network of connections to assist in recovery and management of both short term symptoms and longer-term conditions, and will make referrals to the best Allied Health specialists to support your needs, whether that is speech therapists, nurses, physiotherapists, or dieticians.