Radiation

Just chiming in. So right breast radiation does not require the breathing in technique?? That the left does
Trikki2 
@bunr all the very best for your treatment xx

@bunr ..... whereabouts (roughly) do you live.  There are some terrific options for 'live in' at some hospitals (Port Macquarie in NSW in particular where I had my rads .... with VERY little cost over 4 weeks other than food.)    

I am sure that ladies here will be able to point you towards the best places to have your procedure.  xx

The 16+4 Canadian protocol is great for smaller ladies who aren’t having their supraclav/Axilla treated. The 25+5 is the traditional course. 

Thank you for your comprehensive response, by the way there seems to be a shift toward a three week plus booster course of radiation, being as beneficial as the 5-7 week course. Do you have an opinion on that? 
Cheers

Hi @bunr I am a Radiation Therapist so We are the 1s who do your “simulation” when we decide on the best position for you particular body shape and take a CT scan, we then use that CT to design a “plan” for you and then treat you daily using that plan.
For left sided breast to protect your heart there is a technique called DIBH (deep inspiration breath hold) this is where you take a deep breath thus expanding your lungs and moving your heart further away from your breast tissue. Please note every department uses different techniques, this may not be available at your department. 
We follow strict guidelines when it’s comes to how much radiation dose each particular organ can receive, this is based on EVIQ (you can google it I can’t remember if it’s .org or .com sorry). 
Hope that helps anything else please ask :)

Oops so sorry,  I should learn to read who posted :blush:

Thank you will be interesting to hear JoeyLiz's comments.

Hi @Arpie.  Welcome to the forum.  I had 30 rounds of radiation but on the right side.  I'll tag @JoeyLiz as she is a radiation nurse and might be able to help answer some of your questions.

Hi aprie,

Yes all of this is pretty daunting, however I am well and truly over the shock (I think)!
 I had a lumpectomy and the margins were clear and the lymph nodes were also clear.
However it has been suggested that I complete radiation as a mop up. 
The risks involving future heart and lung issues terrify me. I realise there are no quarantees in life but want to make the best choices for a non compromised future.

Thank you for your response and best wishes.

Hi @bunr  - sorry to see you here on the forum - but you've come to the best place for honest answers re any question you care to put up!

So you've had your surgery already?   Was it a lumpectomy or mastectomy?  If only a lumpectomy & with fuller breasts, you may be able to lie face down on the table (like I did tho mine was on the right side) and wth a bit of luck, not have the ribs, heart & lungs affected as much?

I am sure some of our ladies with L/H radiation will jump on soon & give you more specific info - but they may need the info mentioned above  ;)

All the best wth your ongoing treatment - hoping it goes well with little side effects.