Radiation after lumpectomy

Hahaha it is only my initial appointment on Monday .... it may be another 2 weeks before i actually start treatment @Anne65 tho I hope it starts earlier. They still have to do the mapping etc so will prob have to go back for another visit before it all starts in ernest.  I think Mon is a meet and greet only. ;)

@arpie thanks for your vote of confidence! I am happy with my decision to have my ovaries removed no matter what the result but as for whether to have a mastectomy or not if my result is negative.........I am freaking out & have no idea what i will do. BUT I will try not to worry until the results come in! Good Luck with your rad on Monday. let me know how you go & how you find the Mepitel. You can be my guinea pig!!!! Hugs xx

@Anne65 Great that the Mepitel will work for you - I will raise it with my radiologist on Monday (first appointment!!). Good luck with your gene results ... sounds like you have a path mapped out re the ovaries and are happy with it .... so that is good, even if it involves more surgery for that extra Peace of Mind in the future.  Take care, stay for for what lies ahead .... you can do this. 

@sandramj Thanks for that info & the "odds". The gc counsellor said that as my mum died of ovarian cancer at 46 y.o., the odds aren't in my fav & she suggested either way, that i should get my ovaries removed even if i get a negative result. i am happy to do that as i am always paranoid that i am one day going to inherit that horrible disease like her & have already had a few ultrasound tests to check. i will be very happy to get them removed!! let's hope that, despite my family history, i am one of the lucky ones not to have the gene & the odds you spoke about have made me feel better. thanks for that & fingers crossed xx  

@Sister So sorry to hear of your ordeal. i was thinking of you. How horrible for you to be in that much pain for so long. My heart goes out to you. As if you weren't in enough mental anguish before having to go through that. i do hope that Thursday brings better luck & pain free treatment. hugs & prayers xx

@anne65 Was supposed to have 1st chemo yesterday but hours of pain from a port not working and it was called off.  I go back Thursday for discussion, testing and chemo (probably through cannula).

Re gene testing. The lady who rang me yesterday from the GC gene testing said they’d had 54 people tested for the gene last year and that was after thousands applied but were not over the 10% chance of inheriting the gene. And out of 54 actually tested only 3 had the gene.
As I said I had 6 uncles died if prostate cancer, 2 of melanoma, 1 of thrust cancer (smoker) and one cousin ?55 Die of tongue cancer (smoker) and a cousins daughter had breast cancer diagnosed about 2-3 yrs ago aged in her fifties. But no breast or ovarian cancer. Except for me. 
Hope that helps. 

@arpie thanks for your advice & you're right, don't second guess the results. I can't do anything now except wait & why worry over something that may not happen....easier said than done but I'm trying!! If the result is negative then you are all invited to my house for a party!! If negative I will be asking for guidance, prayers & help as i weigh up all the options. The worse is when you go to bed & lie there thinking & then the tears start. I try not to go to bed til late so I am extra tired & it helps. I will try some of the meditations from @sandramj & that will help me relax. good luck with your upcoming rad treatment & i'll be interested if they let you use the Mepitel. hugs xx

@sandramj I have been for my rad plan last week with treatement due to start pending my gene test result. After my plan, the nurse put a sample of mepitel on me & told me to try it for 24 hrs to see if I had a skin reaction, which i didn't. It was GREAT! I couldn't see it or feel it. She told me that through the treatment, I will keep it on from day 1 & leave it on for the entire treatment. If it starts to come off or starts to peel, they just replace it. You leave it on over the weekend too & you DON"T put any creams on as it takes the place of creams & creams will make it come off. It protects the skin from the rad, no need for creams & it provides a barrier so your clothes don't rub so win, win! They haven't told me any cost so it would all be included in my rad cost which is $2K through the private system. i have told a few ladies about it on this forum & it is nice to offer something that is reasonably new to make our lives better. You really are an inspirational women! All you have been through it makes me feel guilty when I am so worried about my gene test. I will check out your meditations & try to relax & feel the touch of the angel you sent me. I know I have many friends & family praying for me & it helps to get you through. I don't know what I will do if my gene test comes back positive but I know I will have the knowledge & guidance from you & the ladies here to help & support me. You are a wonderful soul & a blessing to this forum...a "guardian angel" watching over us!! much love & hugs xxxx 

@sandramj mepitel is best used from day 1 (or first wk) of Radiation as it will reduce and in most cases prevent the skin reaction. It can be left on for the whole treatment (if it lasts, it can start to roll at the edges but these bits can be cut off and repatched). Some ladies are unsuitable due to large pendulous breasts as it won’t fit properly under the breast and cause air gaps which are not ideal. My hospital is public and all patients are offered it at no cost. The mepilex that you mentioned is also available for patients whose reactions require it at no cost.