Radiation therapy or not?

Thanks Olga and Tonya -

I've been very fortunate, so far, with side effects - so the potential side effects for radiotherapy aren't an issue.  Although the CT scan is!  I had an anaphylactic reaction back in January because of the iodine.  If I could avoid that happening again, I would! 

Do you ever have that feeling of wanting control back over your body and your health??  That's how I feel at the moment.  More me, less intervention from outside sources.  Without the niggling feeling...

Great question to ask Tonya - thanks for that.  I'll add it to my list!

Mon x

Hi Mon

i wanted to add to the responses you have. I have had chemo and have recently finished 6 weeks of radio. Let me tell you it was a breeze for me, nothing like chemo at all. I was able to go on as normal and if you follow all the instructions on creams and body washes you will be ok the only thing i had was a burn like feeling in the area that they treated but that was to wards the end and cleared up in a few days.

You do need to look at all the information given to you and make the choice but dont be scared off by some side effects as it affects people differently. 

Wishing you all the best.

Olga

XXX

Thanks Tonya.

I heard from the radiation oncologist (S) this afternoon.  My plastic surgeon (G)rang him to discuss my situation.  Anyway, I've been given another week by S to decide what happens next.  I was going to ring G, but haven't as yet.  I felt bad ringing him the first time (too needy - but I know I have every right to be!) 

At the moment I chop and change between feeling tired/ just wanting the treatment to be over and that niggling feeling of "did they get it all?"  But does that feeling ever go away - for any of us?

So I'm using my extra week - and I'm thanking my stars for this website!

Mon x

These bc decisions are awful aren't they.You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I have had breast cancer twice and what I've come to realize is that when more than one doctor tells you that you MUST have the treatment then you probably should. If they are leaving it up to you then percentages of cancer returning are most likely VERY low.I had a lumpectomy in 2003(similar pathology to you and18 nodes all clear).I had a 30%chance of it returning if I didn't have radiation and was told I HAD to have it.Chemo was an option and entirely my choice.Well I had radiation and no chemo and 7 years later it came back in the same spot -I was in the unlucky 8% apparently.I was told there was only a 1%chance of it recurring on the scarline if I'd had a mastectomy. I've had the mastectomy and chemo 2 years ago and seem ok now,just on Tamoxifen.All these statistics can sometimes make us feel like we are gambling in a casino- I've come to hate them. I'd be worried about the implants too cos your skin loses elasticity with radiation.Your plastic surgeon should give you the low down. It's ultimately your decision- so after your research go with your gut. All the best for the coming week.

                                                    Tonya xx

Thanks Esther!

I'll definitely let you know how I go...

Have a great day

:)

Dear Mon,

Hang in there and don't be too hard on yourself.  If you want a few extra days to decide, then ask for them.

We'll all be thinking of you.

Esther

Dear Mon,

Hang in there and don't be too hard on yourself.  If you want a few extra days to decide, then ask for them.

We'll all be thinking of you.

Esther

DansBoobs gives good advice. 

Ask your radiation oncologist to put numbers to the odds of the cancer coming back.  For example, mine said that for me the odds of the cancer recurring with NO radiation were about 20%, but WITH radiation less than 5%.  These are just my odds, yours may be different.  So, for me, radiation it is -- a 15% drop is worth whatever the hassles are.

Also, ask if you can get a second opinion - everyone looks at the world through different eyes and it would help you a lot to talk to someone else and see what their take on things is.

As to clinical trials, make sure you understand exactly what you might be signing up for.  These trials usual run with 2 different sets of treatment offered to patients.  Ask exactly what the 2 treatments entail and what the possible outcomes of each are FOR YOUR SITUATION.

Good luck Mon and do update this blog so we know how you are getting on.

Knowledge is power and there will come a point when you know what it is that you want to do and, importantly, why.

Cheers, Esther

DansBoobs gives good advice. 

Ask your radiation oncologist to put numbers to the odds of the cancer coming back.  For example, mine said that for me the odds of the cancer recurring with NO radiation were about 20%, but WITH radiation less than 5%.  These are just my odds, yours may be different.  So, for me, radiation it is -- a 15% drop is worth whatever the hassles are.

Also, ask if you can get a second opinion - everyone looks at the world through different eyes and it would help you a lot to talk to someone else and see what their take on things is.

As to clinical trials, make sure you understand exactly what you might be signing up for.  These trials usual run with 2 different sets of treatment offered to patients.  Ask exactly what the 2 treatments entail and what the possible outcomes of each are FOR YOUR SITUATION.

Good luck Mon and do update this blog so we know how you are getting on.

Knowledge is power and there will come a point when you know what it is that you want to do and, importantly, why.

Cheers, Esther

My pleasure love, happy to help. Do you have a breast care nurse or other specialist cancer nurse. That can help you?