Hi all,

Has anyone ever had their Radiotherapy start during their Chemotherapy?  Or has anyone asked to have it done this way and, if so, what was the response?

We know my cancer is back already (3 lymph nodes with tumours) but I find out tomorrow whether any organs are affected yet.  I am due to fly over to Southampton this Tuesday for my Radiotherapy planning appointment, but we now know I'm going to need Chemotherapy and Herceptin too (those are done here in Jersey).  So the idea is that I find out tomorrow what my Oncologist's new treatment plan is.  And it struck me tonight that there is a chance I'm actually going to have to decide between two treatment plans (Radio before Chemo, or Chemo before Radio).

If my organs aren't yet affected then I can see pros AND cons in Radio before Chemo and in Chemo before Radio.  Both options present benefits and risks.  If my Oncologist has come to the same conclusion then it's likely he'll give me the choice, so I have spent this evening considering what questions I want to ask and what my views are on the two options.

Having considered it, I would like to have the two treatment runs concurrently (this is unlikely to be offered as an option).  There is obviously a bit of a logistical problem in that our standard is to have Chemo in Jersey and Radio in Southampton.  However, I would be willing to start Chemo (with Herceptin), give it a couple of days to see how I am, then fly over to Southampton to start my 3 weeks of Radio.  This would presumably require an arrangement whereby Southampton agree to administer my 2nd cycle of the Chemo (unless it was possible to postpone it by a couple of days without that posing any extra risk).

Sorry it's long (as if my posts are ever short :D ) but does anyone have any thoughts about having Radiotherapy while undergoing Chemotherapy?  Has anyone done it?  Had it suggested to them?  Or asked for it?

Thanks for reading,

LJx