Do I have to?????

Thanks Anne-Marie for your reply. I am hoping it will be easier than chemo, but after reading the bit about broken ribs, of course I thought that would be me. It might be, or might not be, and I was pretty lucky with chemo side effects all up, so am crossing my fingers.

Thanks for the good wishes Christine, I have started on the Moogoo products already after reading other's recommendations on here, and found them really mild but effective, and not too expensive.I have been good about not looking too far ahead, but suddenly found myself thinking.......hang on, why do I have to have this? Maybe too much focus on the end of chemo, and not enough on the fact that I haven't actually finished treatment yet. Thanks for your good wishes.

Thanks for the info Jel, that makes sense when you think of radio being the best treatment, but saving it only for the local area. Good luck with your radio, I look forward to hearing how it goes.

Thanks NE, I will enquire about Mepitel film, not sure if it was mentioned at my planning apt because I was in a bit of a daze. I hope it will be a walk in the park, although at the moment even that sounds exhausting! Thanks for your thoughts.

I asked my Breast Oncologist that same question just this morning. I asked if I can do without having it (due to start in 3 weeks) she said it was to make sure it doesn't come back. I said but you just gave me the all clear, no cancer after 2 lots of surgery including 7 lymph nodes removed and chemo. I don't want to have radiation therapy either. I suppose we can just say no to it, as it is our body not there's. I am nervous as well to have this radiation therapy.

How many weeks of it are you having??

Hi Jane,

I also had to have radiotherapy after having a mastectomy, partial node removal (5 positive for cancer) and chemotherapy.

I was told that this combination of treatment would give me the best possible odds of not having a recurrence. So, I had 25 treatments to the chest wall, axilla and collarbone area. After chemo, this is certainly easier on you but I did get tired and some skin effects at the end.

But I recovered and am very glad that I did everything my doctors recommended. If I do have a recurrence I will know that it was not because I did not have the recommended radiotherapy. 

Maybe one day they will improve treatments or their ability to know who will benefit from which treatment or combination of treatments but until then we just need to be guided by our specialists. The hardest part is behind you. Take care.

Deanne xxx

Hi Jane  Almost finished hey.  My docs said that chemo to mop up stray cancer cells and radio to tell my boob not to do it again???  

The radio nurses said that radio lessened the rate of reoccurence in the offending boob to 2-3%.  

For me radio was a walk in the park after all the chemo.  I wasn't offered the dressing, but came through with couple of mild burns, that healed quickly after finishing.  The worst thing I found was that the room was bloody cold.  Took a wool beanie for my bald head, wore nice warm trackies and long johns for my legs. (Was still suffering bone pain from doxatel).   Funnily enough my boobs were warm enough!!!   Best wishes,

Pam

I had mastectomy and axillary clearance (only the sentinel node was affected, the rest showed negative) and chemo. My radiographer told me the risks outweighed the benefits "for me" and I didn't have to have it unless I really felt I wanted to. I opted not to.

Firstly Jane you don't have to do anything your not comfortable with.  If you take a week or two to process your thoughts that's not going to kill you.  I had same 7 nodes out of 14 chemo mascteomy 6 weeks of deep chest wall in laymans terms they are trying to lesson your chance of reoccurrence I highly recommend you find out if metipal film is used at your hospital mine did not and would not - which resulted in my expander / skin dying I was and still am very upset that I wasn't listened to.  Having said that radio is nothing compared to chemo exhausting but do able.  Some tips use pure aloe just cut a leaf in half cling wrap and keep in the fridge ( aloe is toxic to animals so if you have pets ensure they don't rub on it) moo goo still my fav products they are trying to clean out chance of reoccurance - we are all different so I've found peace in simple things hugs 

Hey Jane,

I had radiotherapy 5yrs ago when diagnosed with DCIS after my lumpectomy with wide margins and tamoxifen for 4yrs before I had a recurrence in my scar last year worst luck. The radio is very different to Chemo, it targets the area, its quick and painless, the thing is its cumulative, so as the time goes on the fatigue will build as will skin changes. I did get quite severe burn, but honestly it was at the end and they gave me a targeted burn gel and I cleared up within the week. 

Last June, unfortunately I had Grade 3, so I had 4 FEC, 8 Taxol and now on Arimidex and 8 months post Chemo. I couldn't have radio this time around as I already had it and you cant have it twice. 

Jane, honestly I certainly didn't have any major probs with radiation, apart from fatigue and burn at the end. I didnt have any other complications at all. If you have any concerns as the weeks go on, you'll be meeting with your Radiologist weekly, make sure you voice all concerns. I really do think you'll blitz it though! Truly! 

I think the answer to why?? is these treatments are used in conjunction with each other, depending of course of your diagnosis. Its the most effective treatment. I have no regrets doing it 5yrs ago...unfortunately though now whilst Im all clear and getting back into my life I have to entertain a mastectomy to ensure it never comes back.

Its a hard hard journey, and just when you feel youre done and have done enough theres something more. I understand your anxiety absolutely, so step at a time and I think you'll be more than ok and manage it well. 

Big hugs!!! xo

Melinda