Forum Discussion
Last minute Rads doubts
I am due for my first RT session in 3 hours and I still feel undecided.
I have been given the stats of 25% chance of recurrence without and 5% with RT. However, what if I do get a recurrence anyway. I will have limited treatment options (mastectomy only choice) and cant have rads again. I will also have limited options for reconstruction. I have small boobs so am perhaps more likely to detect a recurrence early enough and could possibly have the same treatment and save my breast if I choose not to have rads. My body/life is already stuffed from chemo so another round wont matter too much..
I have also had a complete response to chemo so I cant help thinking that there is a 75% chance I am subjecting myself to this degrading and dangerous procedure for nothing. God I am so confused... I thought I had resigned myself to RT but I cant stop these nagging doubts...
Tanya
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6 Replies
Good for you. It all is so tough to,have to endure. Hang in there,we are all cheering for you.
Paula x
Hi all,
I ended up struggling through with the first day. I am just feeling so defeated at the moment with other life events and early menopause to boot. You all amaze me with your courage.
thanks for your words of encouragement.
tanya
Hi Shat,
I have had a recurrence. I originally had lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Whilst it's not nice to hear I had a recurrence I just wanted to let you know that when I did get the recurrence I had no niggling doubts that maybe if I'd done this or that it wouldn't have happened. I remember thinking well I did all I could and left no stone unturned treatment wise.
Yes it was distressing to have a recurrence but once I got my head around it, it was all about getting on with it. I ended up having a mastectomy and more chemo. I tell you all this so you know whilst it's not great, a recurrence is not the end of the world. Two and a half years after my mastectomy I went on to have a successful reconstruction.
There are some ladies on the breast reconstruction page who decided (in consultation with their Drs) to have a mastectomy instead of radiation. At the end of the day you are in charge of your treatment. Talk to your Dr, let him know of your concerns. I am sure they will put your mind at ease.
I wish you all the best.
Paula.
PS. radiation was not nearly as tough as chemo.
Hi Tanya, I have done the lot and don't regret it my choice at all. I would prefer to think I have done all I can to get rid of the little buggers now and not have a recurrence. Of course there are no guarantees but that is the choice I have taken. I want to believe that I have all I can at the start.
Your choices must suit you and you must be happy with the choices you make. Radiation wasn't too bad and it is now done with and I am at the next stage of hormone therapy and I will do that happily based on the information and conviction of my oncologist.
Good luck. Maureen
Hi Tanya, it is your body, your life and sometimes the decisions are difficult to make. I followed what my medical team advised, I put all my faith in them as they were the experts. Radiotherapy has it's risks, I didn't feel at all degraded however. It's a matter of weighing up the pros and cons. Wishing you all the best with whatever you decide. Take care,
Hazel xx
Hi:) I think we all have these doubts,sometime over the course of our treatment.However,25 and 5 percent are very different .It is ultimately your choice,but for me,I always listen to the experts,then do all that I can to make sure that I stay healthy.Cheers Robyn.xox
