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

Sister
Member
8 years ago
@Anne65 I don't know if I already said it somewhere else but congratulations! Yay!
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@arpie thanks my friend!! yes, looks like we will be a week apart with our rad treatment & we will both be staying away from home. I will be busy on the weekend packing!! My sister is looking forward to having me & hopefully I won't out stay my welcome!! Looking forward to catching up with my family & especially my nieces, nephews & 2 cutie great nieces!! Lots of cuddle time ahead! This forum is great & has helped me more than all the books I have read. This is the only support group I have as I have chosen not to go to one in my town as only a couple of people know I have had cancer & i want it to stay that way. I live in a very small town & everyone knows me so it is nice just to go up the street shopping & not have everyone asking me questions or avoiding me as they don't know what to say. This website has been a blessing! Hugs xx
arpie
Member
8 years ago
@Anne65 .....(my hubby is a winemaker so I've got lots!!). ..... Oooooh .... that could be dangerous! I like my vino too! :wink: I'll bring my uke & I can try your wine & you can try my uke! LOL I'll have you playing a decent song in 5 mins!! (You don't HAVE to be mad to join my Uke Group - but it definitely HELPS!!)

I know what you mean about wanting to meet up with 'Breasties' from here ..... everyone that I've had dealings with have just been terrific in allaying my fears & boosting my spirits when needed. I have another girlfriend living in Adelaide - so it is definitely on my list to get there .... eventually!

Woohoo - that is BRILLIANT that you are starting your treatment next Wed!! (I'd always assumed we'd start on a Monday - as mine is also a Wed start!!) Sounds like a VERY hectic few days to start off with .... and terrific that you've met up with your McGrath Nurse! Not long now & you'll be able to tick THAT box as well! :)

@Romla Many Thanks for the tip on the UV - in Norfolk Island, we'll mainly be indoors as it is a Uke gathering - but will also be careful when outdoors! (I was going to sneak a fishing rod into my baggage as well! :wink: )

Safe travels, Anne & lots of hugs coming your way!!
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
Hi ladies, I just got the phone call so I'm off to start my rad treatment next Wednesday so I'll be living with my sister for the next 4 weeks & coming home on weekends. It will be nice to get it all happening now after the long wait in between waiting for my gene test results. I have to see the rad onc first at one location & then go to the hospital where i will have the treatment. I have an orientation with the nurse for around 1 1/2 hrs & then will have my treatment so it will be a busy day!! I had a visit this morning from my McGrath Nurse which was lovely. First time we have met as it's been emails & phone calls till now as she lives over an hour away....the joys of living in the country! Better start packing for my "holiday" in the city!! Hugs to you all xx
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@Romla thanks so much! The news has certainly made my day. Many happy tears followed by dancing on the back lawn!! Hugs xx
Romla
Member
8 years ago
PS Great hear your news @arpie and @Anne65 made my day !
Romla
Member
8 years ago
Hi @arpie I had 16 rounds of radiotherapy ending May 2017 then 4 weeks later flew to Cairns for a holiday .I found uv a problem and wore a rashie a lot .I also avoided lengthy periods in the sun.UV seems to activate the radiated breast even thru clothing .Enjoy Kayaking and Norfolk Island but be aware of UV. Also you will need to continue to cream up for some months after radiotherapy . The members here are keen on Moo Goo which I did not know about at the time so I used Dermaveen at home and Calendula supplied at the Radiotherapy centre . The latter was always running out as it was very popular unlike the Sorbolene provided.
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@arpie You are a hoot!! Thanks for always putting a smile on my face with your posts!! I have thought many times that I would love to visit everyone on this website so come & pick me up & we will visit everyone together. i reckon we would have a great time, you bring the rum & I'll bring the wine (my hubby is a winemaker so I've got lots!!). You & your uke will fit right in at the Fringe Festival too!! Glad your dates are locked in. I haven't heard back from the rad onc so not sure when I start but i reckon it will be next week & the Fringe starts Friday so great timing! Looking forward to a good sleep tonight as i was very worked up about the result. We do put pressure on ourselves when we have enough to deal with already BUT we are only human after all!! So one more hurdle done & hopefully only one more to go........BIG HUG right back at ya xxxx
Anne65
Member
8 years ago
@primek Thanks so much. yes, i am truly blessed today with such good news. I shed many happy tears when i got the call & wish everyone of us to have the opportunity to shed happy tears too! hugs xx
arpie
Member
8 years ago
@Anne65. HOW GOOD IS THAT?? I can feel your joy from here!! It is SO easy to work ourselves up into a stew unnecessarily ... I am SO HAPPY for you!! One less hurdle to jump over .... another box ticked. I wish you were closer, for a big HUG! One day, I intend to travel this great land of ours .... fishing rod and uke in hand .... and I will drop in on you!! PROMISE!! Enjoy this evening and the Fringe Festival (and the bottle of wine :wink: ) I reckon I nearly went thru a bottle of OP Rum up the Mountains!! :blush:

get out out and enjoy yourself .... my hubby isn’t in to Valentines Day ... but had dinner out with uke friends most Tues including last night ..... so ‘close’!! LOL

@SoldierCrab ... gonna steal that cartoon! SO GOOD! Makes us all appreciate ticking the boxes, eh?

I am going for mapping/planning on Fri and another day next week, then it starts in earnest on Feb 28!! Paid for my Norfolk Island trip .... ALL GOOD!!!

All the best, ladies xxxx

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