The following is information to help you prepare for your visit to Radiation Oncology at Tufts Medical Center.
Your First Appointment
Your primary care doctor’s office usually calls to set up a one-hour initial consultation with one of our Radiation Oncologists. Frequently, your own doctor will want to speak directly with our specialists about your case.
Where to Find Us
We’re located in the basement of the Proger Building. Here’s our address:
Radiation Oncology
Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street
Proger Building, Basement Level
Boston, MA 02111
Ph: (617) 636-6161
Fx: (617) 636-6131
What to Bring
Your doctor will be informed what information you need to bring with you to this consultation such as insurance information and co-payments, x-ray films, etc.
You will also receive a letter from us to remind you of these important things:
- Your appointment date and time
- To have your doctor send a referral form
- What you need to bring
- How to register at Tufts Medical Center
What to Expect
During your first consultation, the Radiation Oncologist assigned to your case will sit down with you and discuss your case and treatment plan. Any questions or concerns you have can be discussed at this time too. Our multi-disciplinary team includes our physicians, nurses, therapists, dosimetrists (calculates radiation doses), physicists, and support staff.
Our Nursing Care Approach is Personal
Nursing care is a primary focus at Tufts Medical Center. Patients can rest assured knowing that their needs and concerns are first and foremost in the minds of our Radiation Oncology nurses. Our nurses are full-time Registered Nurses and have extensive experience in caring for cancer patients. Our nurses participate in continuing professional education and attend seminars and conferences to keep up to date in the Radiation Oncology field.
What to Expect:
- You can expect the nurse to take an extensive history and monitor your health condition on an ongoing basis to manage your symptoms.
- Your nurse will work with other health care providers to coordinate your care and treatment. We look at the patient as a whole person and can refer you for additional services such as Nutritional Counseling and Social Work Services.
- You will be seen by our nurses at least weekly -- daily if needed.
- Special daily call-in hours are in place for patients and family members who have questions or concerns.
- Our nurses provide you with patient education about your treatment course and are available to answer any questions you or your family members may have.
Nutritional Counseling
A dietitian is available to provide suggestions to help you eat well during your treatments. Let your nurse or doctor know if you are interested in making an appointment.
You may need to modify your diet depending on your specific treatment area and side effects. You should eat a well-balanced diet that is high in protein and calories to maintain your weight and provide the nutrients necessary for normal tissue recovery. The nurse will check your weight once a week and discuss with you whether you need to modify your diet.
Social Work Services
A clinical social worker is available to help patients and their families deal with the broad range of psychological/social issues and stress associated with coping with illness.
Cynthia Bramble Daley, LICSW, is the clinical social worker for patients in the Radiation Oncology Department. Cynthia has worked at Tufts Medical Center for 17 years and brings a wide range of clinical skills and experience with inpatients and outpatients. Please feel free to contact her, if you or your family have any questions/concerns or are in need of assistance. She can be reached at 617-636-5463.
