wondering what's the normal time after lumpectomy does radiation start? I had the small cancer and one node with cancer removed on 1st April. ( one node had changing cells - pre cancer). Oncologist radiologist has set start date at 26 May, but I've been reading they usually start radiation 3-4 weeks after surgery. I should have asked WHY 8 weeks as my scar is great but wondered what other BC people THINK.

Well today I am rapt to say I'm feeling gr8 after 20 radiation treatments and 10 more to go. Then I'm presuming back to oncologist to start hormone therapy and a month or so later have scans to check the cancer has not visibly spread. So far so good. Trusting this will continue. Well trying my very best to let go and trust.

@JJ70 The radiation people and breast care nurses suggested good old Fauldings Essentials Vitamin E Cream -tube in the bag to put in after radiation each day and a jar to put on after shower and at night. Bra at Target was great post surgery and soft for radiation and breast care oeiplecsn get you one made by Berlwigh if u ask. The radiation doesn’t seem to warrant the cream initially but use it as it will be beneficial in the long run. AND make sure you do the exercises after surgery EVERY DAY ato prevent adhesions and/or the build up of scar tissue from surgery and/or radiation. I Stopped the exercises during radiation because it wasn’t suggested to continue beyond post x weeks after surgery BUT it needs to be continued for as long as it takes to completely heal from the assault on your breast. Msg me if u need the sheet of exercises I was given. Look after yourself. You may feel well but still take it easy on yourself. Give your body the best chance to deal and heal. Xx Along with the cream take a pack of wipes if you want to remove the marks from daily radiation. For me I felt like an animal with the new markings each day &wondered why the staff didn’t do that. Maybe some people don’t mind them but I felt like I came out a piece of meat or un-human but removing those new target marks felt it allowed me to walk out being me, the person, the wife, mother, grandmother but not the cancer treatment ‘patient’.

Moo goo is fabulous to use post radiotherapy.

oooops ... the really good news was that I had clear margins on the tumours & also on the 3 nodes!! Tho I WILL need radiation for 4 weeks .... just waiting for the radiologist from Port Macquarie to make contact re my initial appointment! SO happy!

@arpie @Romla @primek @SoldierCrab @viking1 @Sister @Mollygirl @Jen79x @sandramj I thought I'd include you all as you have all answered my last post so I will fill you in on what happened to me on Tues. I went to Adelaide to have my gene testing done for the BRCA gene. They test for 4 different genes. You have to fill in a lot of paperwork beforehand & advise them of your family tree & relatives with & without cancer. I saw a counsellor for about an hr & she discussed the test & what it means to me & my future & ongoing treatment. As mum died at 46 y.o. of ovarian cancer, she suggested that no matter what the result, I should get my ovaries removed as there is no testing for that cancer unlike breast cancer so I'll just add that to my list of things to do!! She advised of all the risks & probabilities if the result is positive & got me confused & stressed about the whole thing! Anyway, the test is just a normal blood test & they are going to rush it through in about 3 weeks as my rad onc is waiting to get the results before he starts treatment in case things change if the result is positive. If I have rad first & then find out i have the gene & elect to have a mastectomy, then the reconstruction (if you had it) would be more difficult to do as the skin has already undergone rad treatment. if I am positive, then i will have a meeting with my surgeon & rad onc to discuss what to do. I pray that my result is negative & then I can just have the rad treatment that I planned. After i had the test, i went to the rad centre for my plan/setup & spoke to my rad onc & he said he was happy to wait for the result but we would get my plan done in case. As my cancer was on the left, I had to do the breath hold & got my 3 tattoos so i am all ready. i saw a nurse after & she put a sample of the Mepitel (false skin) on me which they are going to use. @arpie you may like to mention this to your rad onc & see if you can use it. You can't see or feel it. It is like "cling wrap" & sticks to your skin. You can shower with it on & it stays on throughout the treatment & if it starts to peel, then they just replace it. It protects your skin from more direct radiation, you don't need any creams as it protects your skin & it provides a barrier so your clothes don't irritate your skin so win, win, win!! @arpie i am so happy with your news & great result. WOW, amazing! it sounds like you had similar to me in that after my lumpectomy, the surgeon took flesh from beneath my breast to "fill in my gap". That area was sorer then my breast & is still lumpy so I hope it settles down. It's funny all the discussion around creams & deodorants as it seems every hospital, rad centre etc has a different opinion. I have asked my breast care nurse, a rad therapist who is a friend, the rad centre & what some say to use, others have said to stay away from! Very confusing. I'm glad I won't have to worry as i will use the Mepitel skin but I will probably buy something to use on the surrounding skin. I use a crystal stick deodorant (Deonat) as i am sensitive to others so I will keep using that. Anyway, i really do get carried away on these posts. Sorry about "War & Peace" but many of you have asked about the gene test & the mepitel so wanted to share with you. i am sitting tight at the moment & waiting out a long 3 weeks. Any of you out there who have other family members with cancer, i would suggest you get the gene test done for yourself & your family's sake. It costs nothing & gives you peace of mind. @Sister you may be eligible as your sister had cancer so if you wanted to speak to your dr or you could ring the genetics team on 70742697 & speak to them & if they think you are eligible then they send you out the paperwork to complete. i am feeling very stressed about the decision I may face if the result is positive but hopefully all will come back negative & i can go ahead with my rad treatment as planned. Fingers crossed!! Love & prayers to you all xx

Radiation after lumpectomy | BCNA Online Network

Anne65
Member
7 years ago
@Sister Thanks so much! I am feeling much better today with the gas pain only minimal. Yes, I was given a sheet to read before the op mentioning that you may experience some pain but the surgeon seemed to think i would be back to work in no time!! Luckily I had arranged to have a few days off work but i have since had to organise the rest of this week off so hindsight would have been good.The nurses were very sympathetic & knew of the agony so at least I knew it was normal. My wheatbag & advice from this forum has got me through! Hugs xx
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Best wishes to both of you. @anne65 I still can't believe that you were told the gas pain wouldn't be bad - I had it with a gall-bladder op years ago and was warned about how intense it could be! @sandramj Keep crossing off the dates and you'll be in the van before you know it (I might come along as a stowaway).
Anne65
Member
7 years ago
@sandramj You make me laugh!! Your medical team must love it when you visit. What a role model you are to many of us with your positive attitude. I bet that has helped you conquer many obstacles. You have had a tough week but what great results you have had. Keep ticking off those boxes & appts & once they are all ticked, then you & hubby can enjoy that caravan trip at the end of may with no more appts on your mind. what a wonderful adventure to look forward to & that is what you have to think about when you do your stress test. Think of the calming waterfalls, the colours of the sunrise & the beautiful adventures you will have & that will keep your mind off your test & calm your nerves.Good luck for the rest of the week & beyond!! Yes, i wish the male drs could go through some of our pain but they probably couldn't cope as well as us!! yes, the advancements are incredible & it blows my mind to think of what will develop in the next 5-10 years. Until then, we will continue to fight on & enjoy all the pole dancing we can!! take care & wishing you continued strength xxxx
Anne65
Member
7 years ago
@kmakm Thankyou my friend. Everyday i can see a slight improvement & have even cut down on the pain meds today to see how I would cope & I'm sure my body has enjoyed the break from the drugs!! We have to hang on to every positive & having the help & support from my forum friends is far more valuable than any medical book!! Thinking of you as you count down the days. Love, prayers & strength to you. xxxx
sandramj
Member
7 years ago
We’ll biopsy done ✔️ Cardiologist very pleased with my BP 130/70 pulse <80.✔️ Weight lowest since 2000 on his charts✔️ECG perfect✔️ But need xray to check for danage after rad. Heart echo and damnit a stress test. I hate stress tests. I get so anxious about it I panic and that makes heart race, me to sweat and all in all not give great results up stress test.
Tomorrow I’m expecting biopsy results AND hubbub& I follow on the diet and start the prep stuff for colonoscopy on Thursday. Then back to breast surgeon Friday & lymphodrma physio snd then oncologist Monday. Sigh. Feeling fairly positive about the results now do just keep busy doing whatever till each test has been done and each specialist seen.
We are wanting to head off in caravan but these new tests and specialist appts are spaced just that bit too close together now till 30/5. It all takes time and a toll on our nerves.
Yes @Anne65 male doctors tend to be unaware of pain with gyny stuff. Note Drs had found an alternative to the anal probe for prostate checks years ago - using just blood tests, yet we women still have to undergo pap smears and mammograms. But it’s did hear recently that they are developing a psp smear kit to be done at home by ourselves. (or a close friend lol).
And research is well under way for blood tests for all sorts of cancer now. Thank goodness.
And Im grateful today I’ve still got my sense of humour. I often have a joke with Drs etc about my job as a pole dancer and the bruising etc they cause to my breasts. Today I’d said to cardiologist I’ve had to wear nipple tassels due to discolouration of affected nipple and had to change my shift to mid morning to entertain those customers who want tea and bikies. It has lightened the mood for me and the Drs & nurses laugh and thank me for my humour and positive attitude. Oh we could write a book. ‘Keeping a”breast” of depression’. “Udder-statement of this journey”.
Enjoy the rest of the week ladies. Keep smiling. Do what’s in your own best interest. Love and be kind to yourself xx
Anne65
Member
7 years ago
@sandramj Thanks so much for your thoughts. I know you & probably everyone on this forum have been through so much worse than me so I feel so guilty that this "little op" has caught me by surprise especially as it was just a precaution measure. I LOVE your airline speech & how true. We cannot look after others unless we are well ourselves. This certainly applies to you as you have been & are going through so much but your wisdom & advice has helped me & countless others on this forum. It's funny what you said about the male dr as I was thinking the same thing! I seem to think i have a high pain threshold but unless HE has been through this op, he has no idea what the pain is like. The gas pain is incredible & my dr eluded to some patients having this as DAY surgery & going straight back to work & I SAY HOGWASH TO THAT, not possible & like you, I felt like I must have been "soft" to be feeling like i was!! i have just contacted work to tell them I will be off the rest of the week as I don't reckon i will improve enough before then. I hope you got good results today from the cardiologist & best of luck to you & your hubbie with the colonoscopy & for you with your biopsy results & your Friday appt too...you must have a good diary!!. I had to do a bowel cleanse before this op so i hope you have 2 toilets in your house!! It will be "lovely" to share this experience together & hopefully you will both get the thumbs up!! Thanks again & many hugs to you xxxx
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
Dear @anne65 Thank you for your beautiful words! You're very kind. I am glad to hear your pain is easing :) K xox
Anne65
Member
7 years ago
@Sister Thanks so much for your love & support. I am at home now but probably should have stayed the extra night in hospital. I guess they figure you can relax & heal...& sleep better in your own home provided you don't have any infection or fever. I have slightly improved everyday & my breathing is better so the gas must be dissipating. I know you & most others have endured more than me but I guess this op was just a precaution & the severe gas pain is something i wasn't aware of so it caught me by surprise. It is so lovely to have the support of this forum & the advice & help I have got from my forum friends, is worth more than seeing a professional. love & hugs to you xxxx
sandramj
Member
7 years ago
@Anne65 how awesome are you in your pain n & suffering you are thinking about others. They told me when I had my tubes tied women played basketball next day. I call bulls.... only a male Dr would say it’s mknomal surgery and that wind thing is minor. OMG it was not good. It was 1979 but I still rendmber it - I though I was a woose cos I was in pain. And certainly would not have played netball next day. Hogwash. Your body has had an assault and it is painful. Rest up. Adhesions are s nasty side effect they also don’t mention.
I had my biopsy today and get results Wednesday. Ironic hubby & I will be doing the prep for our colonoscopies so it’ll be a very interesting day.
Meanwhile tomorrow I’m off to cardiologist for check up to see if any damage from radiation.
Then Wednesday taking those eonderful
prep packets and having only clear fluids all day. Lol. But the DUAL DATE at GC private hospital for our gastro snd colon oscipies will be s day to remember. Lol. Friday appt with lymphodrma physio and I’ll know results. Hopefully all!
Hope you’re able to rest up and take cate of yourself @Anne65: no brownie points but being brave and not taking care of yourself.
Same with all of us.
Remember the old speech on airlines. If we experience turbulence and the oxygen masks drop from the ceiling. Put it on yourself first. You cannot save anyone else unless you save yourself first.
True.
But we tend to forget it.
Rest up. Do whatever you need to do to look after yourself first! When you’re strong again and recovered you can look after others.
Love and hugs to you each and all. This is a shitty journey at times AND we need to give ourselves THE best chance of not only surviving, but healing and becoming healthy again.
Hugs to all ❤️
Sister
Member
7 years ago
I'm so sorry to hear that what you expected to be so straightforward has turned so painful. Are you at home or staying in town? You poor thing. Once that gas dissipates, hopefully the pain will settle. Look after yourself.