I just finished my radiation therapy.
It is stereotactic radiation treatment, used for people with certain stage one and stage two cancers. I had five treatments.
After four months of delays and lack of communication, my primary care provider connected me with the Ferguson Cancer Center in Freeport IL. I don't know why she did not do this sooner. I don't know why I did not know the place existed.
They had all the test results from the hospital next door. They got me scheduled in three days. They provide university level care in a smaller setting than UW Madison or the affiliated cancer center in Rockford. They do not treat me like a name on a file folder.
In three months, I will have my first scans. They claim a 90% success rate. That means that 90% of the people do not have a recurrence within five years.
Has anyone else here had this treatment? I am not asking for medical advice, just similar experiences. I don't need medical advice. Finally, I am in good hands!
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At the Helen Graham Cancer Center, in Delaware. They also had all of my records as the chemotherapy was in the same building. It was during the pandemic but they did a very good job of setting up appointments. The treatment went well and now three years later I just had clean mammography and scans. Still taking Arimidex for two more years. Fingers crossed etc. good luck
Walleye, I'm now on the "3 mo maintenance plan" for the next 18 mo as Dr C says, then on to the 6 mo plan for another 3 yrs. Mine was endometrial cancer. I had my 25 external rads (Dr DeSouza-Lawrence said they were very targeted, but I don't think it was the kind the OP had), and my 6 chemo treatments in the HGCC I had to go across the campus to the hospital to have the 3 internal brachytherapy treatments.
My last CT scan (which was my 3rd post treatment scan) showed no evidence of disease (NED). Hoping that continues.
Sending peaceful thoughts and prayers your way, Muriel. I know the waiting for scans, then waiting for the results is difficult. It's like we live our lives in 3mo chunks for the next couple of years. Then it's hard to adjust when they get spaced out further or we finish the monitoring and move back to yearly appts.
After the chemo they saw something on the scan of my lungs and I had to go through biopsies and visually assisted thoracic surgery in the hospital. Fortunately it turned out to be benign they got rid of it and my last scans were clean,I couldn’t have asked for a better treatment. glad to hear you’re doing all right.
glad to share their experiences with you too.
but I will continue to send good vibes and prayers.
of radiation for a breast mass which was removed. The worst part was getting to and from the oncologist's office daily for 15 minutes. I will go back in April for a mammo and am taking anastrozole daily for 5 years. I'm happy I'm on the healing side and am glad to read you finally got the attention you deserve.
