If you have difficulty meeting the cost of travelling to the radiotherapy clinic each day, you may be able to get a grant towards your travel expenses. You should ask the hospital social worker or one of the nurses in the clinic for information on grants and advice on how to claim. Your first appointment at the radiotherapy department will be a planning session. This is a very important part of your treatment as the results of this session will be used to finalise your treatment plan. It is important for you to feel you are involved in your treatment so ask as many questions as you like.
People often feel that staff are too busy to answer questions.
Yes, they are busy, but the more you understand about your treatment, the easier it is for you and the staff. It may help to write down a list of questions to take with you. Your specialist may plan your treatment by placing ink markings directly onto your skin. X-rays so the radiographer can get the correct position for your treatment. It takes about 15-45 minutes and during this time you will be lying on a fairly hard couch that can be slightly uncomfortable.