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

224 Replies

primek
Member
8 years ago
@Anne65 what fantastic news. Such a weight lifted from you.
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@sandramj AMEN to that!! I have been so blessed with my results & outcomes & my hope is that everyone of us can stay positive & have success once at the end of our treatments! Hugs xx
sandramj
Member
8 years ago
Gr8 news. And every bit of good news we get makes us even more positive we can beat this current session of cancer. Go girls!
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@viking1 Thanks so much for your support & cheers!! yes, I am celebrating a great Valentine's Day by myself at the moment surrounded by my washing machine & ironing BUT I don't care!! Hubby will be home late tonight so I'm sure we will celebrate...which reminds me to put a bottle of wine in the fridge..thanks for that!! I will sleep soundly & look forward to taking the next step which hopefully will be my final one. I will definitely treat myself by taking in a few Adelaide Fringe Festival shows while over in Adelaide getting treatment. Continued good luck to you too & for giving me those good vibes for a great test result! Hugs xx
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@SoldierCrab I LOVE the happy dance! Exactly what i was doing today on the back lawn but I'm sure i didn't look as cute as Snoopy!! Your cartoon sure made me laugh which I haven't done in a while so thanks. Thanks for your support & prayers. hugs right back at ya!! xxx
viking1
Member
8 years ago
Yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!! This is the happiest Valentine's Day ever! I am so so pleased and relieved for you. Thank goodness. I hope you have a good night's sleep now...best news in the world! Love and hugs xxx Yeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaa!!!! PS. Time to treat yourself :)
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago

doing a happy dance for you .
hugs
soldiercrab
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@arpie @Sister @viking1 @primek @sandramj @Mollygirl @Romla @SoldierCrab @Jen79x & any ladies I have forgotten!! I have just received the phone call I have been dreading BUT GREAT NEWS! My gene test result has come back NEGATIVE!! I am dancing around the house...I just need @arpie & her ukulele crew to come & provide some music!! I haven't slept well in days fearing the worse but now the results are in & earlier than expected I can start my next phase of rad treatment. I have rung my rad onc & left a message with him so he can start the ball rolling & book me in to start ASAP as I have already had my planning & tattooes done. I had my surgery 20th Dec so the sooner the better. They tested me for 4 genes, BRCA1, BRCA2, PTEN & PALB2. The counsellor who rang me suggested I still consider getting my ovaries removed due to mum passing away at 46 y.o. from ovarian cancer & I will definitely follow that up with my surgeon as I would be happy to get that done as there is no screening for that cancer & it's one I have always been scared of. So, I reckon by next week I will be living with my sister in Adelaide for the duration of my treatment & coming home on weekends. I will only be having 16 doses & as I am small breasted & had a lumpectomy, I will "qualify" for the Mepitel which will reduce my radiation exposure & help with skin protection. I won't need to stock up on any creams now but will probably get something for the surrounding skin. I haven't been told I need to take may medications/HT therapy after so that is a bonus. My surgeon said I didn't really need to have rad treatment as my operation was so clear with no nodes & stage 1 but as it was an aggressive cancer, my rad onc & I decided that we would go for the treatment & he said I would only need the shortened version of 16 doses. @arpie So glad to hear you have got your plan in place & better still, it won't impact your very busy social calendar!! Good to have it all done before Easter & I should too as well. We will be probably going through it at the same time. It's great that you have been enjoying life & that you have some great times ahead once it is all finished. @sister I know you have been having problems with your chemo but i hope & pray that you are making progress & your treatment is going ahead as you have planned. i wish you strength, courage & I hope the pain is behind you. @viking1 Hope your rad is progressing well & your spray on barrier film is working for you & helping to protect your skin. let's hope these new films/sprays will help protect us & improve the treatment for everyone! love & hugs to you all xx
Mollygirl
Member
8 years ago
Really great you have a plan sorted @arpie! I think you are really sensible 'staying over'. The holiday will be a well deserved break and do thing to look forward to after treatment. You sound really well organised! Best wishes. Xx
JoeyLiz
Member
8 years ago
Oh stupid thing always cuts off my long responses.

Forum Discussion

Radiation after lumpectomy

224 Replies

Recent Discussions

Grade 3 Oncotype Test Chemo decisions

Radiation, driving and fatigue

Radiation treatment

Length of treatment 1 or 3 wks?

Working through Chemo