I saw the radiographer today. I told him no. I am not going to have radiation. I know you lovely ladies would have supported me through it but I couldn't handle anymore. I am taking my 85+% chance of non reoccurance along with the herceptin and risking it. They tell me I would have up to 95% chance of non reoccurance with the radiation but then they could never use it on that area again if it did reoccur. Also, my chances of lymphodema would be considerably higher. My head is not in a good space with this so I said thank you but no. Very proud of my sisters here on the forum who have been able to plough ahead but for me right now, it is a non event. My BC nurse is going to be fuming with me but I am a bit tired of the dictatorship and just want some support for my decisions. Fortunately, hubby 'gets' it.

I think we need to listen to our bodies once we have the required statistical info. I didn’t want to increase my chances of recurrence but the radiographer couldn’t give me a good enough reason for radio in my case and my body had as much as it could take at that point so I opted out. Many people will take every treatment for every extra % and that is great for them. For me personally, it was time to stop before my quality of life became something I resented.

@Blossom1961 Last year when I saw the radiation oncologist I was told the decision to have radiation treatment was mine I chose to have the treatment which slightly increased my survival chances but in life there is no guarantees which I have acceptedI fully support each individual choice to have treatment or not to have treatment because only the individual know what is best for our wellbeing and the medical professionals should respect our decision and give the patient supportStork

You should do what you want to and to hell with anyone who says otherwise; your body is your business and you get to decide what you are going to do with it. Freedom of choice is a fundamental right and if that is what you want it should be the end of the argument.Should be. You've educated yourself on the stats which can be brutal when you look at the percentages--between 1% and 5% increase in survival rates when it comes to chemo (for some of us) and similarly bleak prospects for rads (for some of us) There are no guarantees and these are very difficult decisions that only you can make working with the best advice and research you can get. Sadly, that won't stop the well intended pointing out to you that you are missing an opportunity (miniscule as it is) or offering all manner of advice (informed and otherwise) that, while it may be entirely relevant for the person giving it, bears no correlation to your situation. Get going with your life and put this behind you--none of us have a crystal ball, you can only trust your gut and, like the rest of us, hope for the best in the future. Mxx

They've done their duty and explained the risks and benefits and you've made the decision with all tbe facts. It's your body after all.

It'll be to mop up any escapee cells @Trikki2

I said no | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello @"Louise J"
The following link provides information regarding the guidelines for radiotherapy post mastectomy
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/updated-guidelines-on-rads-after-mx
Louise_J
Member
7 years ago
I get it @Blossom1961... just had surgery last week only to find out the margins are not clear and need to go back for more surgery right before Christmas then start radiation next year on both left breast and lymph nodes...its so tough mentally. Aside from being over it with treatments its also the toll it takes on your relationships etc that is challenging. @Trikki2 why radiation after mastectomy? I thought if you have mastectomy there is no need for it? I can understand with lumpectomy but not with mastectomy.....
Sister
Member
7 years ago
It'll be to mop up any escapee cells @Trikki2
Trikki2
Member
7 years ago
@Blossom1961
Congrats on making this decision . Its nice to have some control. Yes i too will be asking all the questions come January. Ive had 2 surgeries, including all nodes removed and mastectomy. There is no cancer yet they are still talking radiation. It confuses me as to why.
Love Trikki2
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
I didn't have radiation either. The radiographer said 'in my case' it might do more harm than good.
primek
Member
7 years ago
They've done their duty and explained the risks and benefits and you've made the decision with all tbe facts. It's your body after all.
Silva
Member
7 years ago
Good luck with your decision it is our body after all! It is not an easy road no matter which way we go
poodlejules
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Blossom1961 I also made an 'unpopular' decision with my treatment and after a few goes at trying to change my mind the oncologist said he wouldn't mention it again and we left it at that.My surgeon told me that Herceptin has been the biggest game changer and has remarkably increased survival rates for HER2+patients so for me that decision was easy.
Good luck with it all!
Sister
Member
7 years ago
In the end it is your body and your choice. As long as you are informed, it is no-one else's business.
Blossom1961
Member
7 years ago
Thank you so much ladies. Today has been extremely stressful but this is a decision that I have been sitting on for a couple months so it is good to finally set it out. They couldn't give me the stats for taking herceptin but I would presume that will lower the chances of reoccurrence further, else why have it! I do think it strange that they have these medical meetings with your team to discuss what is best for you, without taking your feelings into account. I was told numerous times that this is what the team thought was best for me. I'm afraid it made me dig my heels in further even though it upset me. Once again, thank you. It is nice to have a bit of extra support.

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I said no

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