Radiation after lumpectomy

@primek It's great that they keep checking as the counsellor I had said that it really is only "early stages" of detecting the gene & doing the testing & in the years to come, they will be so much better & will have more technology behind them. It is only new that we have been able to get the test for free so we are like the guinea pigs! who knows what advancements they will make in the months/years to come! xx

@Sister Glad to hear you will be having the counselling & hopefully you will qualify for the test. Peace of mind for you & your familiy & the counsellors are great. I had my test at the Lyall McEwin but I know they do it at the QEH also. It takes about an hr for the "chat" & take/make notes if you get to go as they love to make you do the talking as counsellors do!! It usually takes around 6 weeks to get the results but they are rushing mine through in about 3 weeks as they knew my rad is dependent on the results. if i had to wait 6 weeks I would be a basket case but each day that passes is one day closer!! Hope you are going OK. i reckon you would nearly be starting chemo now if my memory is correct. Thoughts & prayers are with you as you begin the next phase. Hugs to you & keep me posted on your progress. xx

@Anne65 My Aunts and cousins on my Dad's side did have a positive BRAC1 faulty gene. But I don't have it nor my siblings to same father. They even asked for an original sample from Scotland to retest against.
My sister  (different father) and her daughter both had breast cancer but no identifiable gene. On our mothers side ...there was no history prior us. We still could be just a damn unlucky  1 in 8. But the genetics people keep looking as new genes emerge. 

@arpie thanks for you thoughts. Each day gone is one day closer to the results! I've just read the brochure about the Mepitel film & it gives a very good result. I hope this link works & you can have a read about it too. http://www.molnlycke.com.au/advanced-wound-care-products/wound-contact-layers/mepitel/#confirm I have also been reading brochures from a couple of different rad clinics & one of them said to use calendula cream & the other said to stay away from it. They said the same about sorbolene!! Funny how the same profession can give opposite feedback. Anyway, if we both use Mepitel, we don't use creams but I may just use something on the surrounding area. Keep positive about your upcoming treatments. It's so hard to stay on track. I have had a really easy ride compared to most but it still does my head in when I think about what I have been through & what's still to come. This forum helps a lot to keep us on track & bring it all into perspective!! Hugs to you & keep me posted. xx

@primek Wow, your family has certainly suffered from this dreaded disease! Great that you have had the test so you were fully informed to make your decisions. Sounds like you have covered all bases & your decision to have a bilateral mastectomy will certainly give you peace of mind about breast cancer ever reoccurring. You would have thought that with the family history of ovarian cancer, there would have been a positive gene result but great to know that it isn't the case. One less operation you have to have as i reckon you have gone through enough. yes, the counsellors are great & it's peace of mind to know not only for oursekves but also for our families. thanks for sharing. xx 

@Anne65 The waiting is the worst, isn't it. I will be having genetic counselling at some stage and will find out then if I creep over the line for free testing.

@Anne65    WOW!  You have certainly been thru the mill.  I wish you all the best on your gene test result and hope it is negative so you can just get on with the rest of your treatment - the wait for the results must be a real pain for you - I know that I'd hate it!  It must be so difficult with your Mum's cancer and untimely death.  :(    Life is a real bitch sometimes  :(  

Thank you so much for info about the Mepitel - it will be on my list of questions when I finally get to see the radiologist at Port Macquarie.  

I see the Lymphedema lady next week back in Sydney.  My surgeon was very non committal about deodorants - whether one is better than the other or not - right now I am using a roll on Mitchum one (I usually use a Men's Stick deodorant) and it is much more comfortable just now than the Stick.  Our local pharmacies didn't have the crystal one.  

Thank you for your kind response to my results - yes, our surgeons used the same technique, I reckon - with a very tidy result! .... In a way - it all just seems like a bad dream!  Yes, The underarm is still quite sore & my sleep still very hit & miss. 

Take care - my thoughts & prayers are with you xx

Very comprehensive. 
I was all set for ovary removal as they were sure I carried the same dreaded gene of my Aunties... 3 had died of ovarian  cancer (1 had breadt cancer twice and ovarian cancer) and yes...there is no early detection for it. But I didn't have it. However I had already chosen a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction as my sister and niece both had breast cancer but no identifed gene. So there it is. I've at least reduced my risk of a new primary breast cancer by 99%. They think we have a faulty gene as yet to be identified but not one tbat also causes ovarian cancer. 

It's certainly a stressful time but a relief to know either way. The counsellors are wonderful.

@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 

awesome news @arpie