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Neen's avatar
Neen
Member
12 years ago

Radiation Therapy

Hi all, to my disbelief , I, like many more women have been diagnosed with Early Stage Breast Cancer on the 10th Feb 2014.

My Journey has now begun .

I have never felt so alone in my life. Numb is a good word. All the tests,specialist vists and surgery and it still hasnt sunk in that I have Breast Cancer. I feel as if I am making all these appointments, tests etc.. for someone else, not for me. Even though I talk about it freely with friends and family it still doesnt seem real. It still doesnt seem that I am talking about me. Is this denial? or is it acceptance that 'What is, is and I deal with it an move on and not let it take me down. I dont think 'oh why me' or get angry or anything like that.  I think that I am more concerned on how my daughters are dealing with it.  They are both adults bu they are still my babies.

I had surgery on the 12 March, having a Wide Incision Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node biopsy with pathology findings of  one tumour being 2nd Stage Invasive Lobular Neoplasm and one low grade tumour. 

Results - Clear Margin / Sentinel Node Negative.

I commenced taking Tamoxifin 20mg the day after surgery and advised that it will be for  5-10 years. My 7 weeks of radiotherapy treatments starts on Tuesday 22nd April.

I am told that I could suffer fatigue at the tail end of the treatment and possibly sunburn/blistering  around the treated area. Can anyone else who is going though or gone through radiotherapy tell me about your experience with this treatment and  what other side effect to expect from this treatment.

Greatly appreciated and many thanks in advance.

 Neen

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  • Karensky's avatar
    Karensky
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Neen

    I too was diagnosed in February and have had surgery but am waiting on a re-excision in May (one margin not clear) before any radiation.  It is like that isn't it - that feeling that this is all somehow happening to someone else.  Did you find you spent a lot of your time reassuring others?  My extended family was devasatated even though I kept saying "This will not kill me - this has a very good prognosis".  I have adult children - one is very concerned and the other is happy to be told it will all be alright:)

    Good luck with your radiotherapy - there are lots of hints for skin care in other posts and in the literature we get.  I have heard different stories about fatigue - some people said they got tired and others didn't.  One thing I have learnt is that what it is for you is what it is - no matter how others have experienced it.  I am learning to accept that things do not always go as expected and on time, but nevertheless we are incredibly well supported and every day is a further step forward.  Cheers Karen

  • sallyw's avatar
    sallyw
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Neen,

    I am sorry that you have to go through this journey.  I was diagosed last year and it still doesn't seem real, even though I have had a lumpectomy, axcillary clearance, 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.  I like you, are more concerned for my adult childen (especially my girls) as they don't always say too much.

    Anyway, as for radiation, I had 6 weeks of radiation and used lots and lots of cream.  In Ballarat, they gave a sorbolene and then when the itches started they added lignocaine to it, which is a numbing agent.  I used that 2-4 times per day as well as Aloe Vera.  Fortuneately, my skin handled radiation really well with only a few small blisters.  Just look after your skin really well.  I was tired, but I was tired from enduring chemo so I didn't notice it all that much.  I must say though that 2 weeks post radiation, I am feeling fairly washed out.

    Good luck with your treatment and remember to look after you!  If you are tired, then rest.

    Sally xx

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    You are so right,that it doesn't feel as though it is you ,when you are diagnosed.It is a real out of body experience.These days however,breast cancer is very treatable and most ladies can look forward to long healthy lives after their treatment.Stay on this network,it is the absolute best place to get support and advice.Take care xox Robyn