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gurneys's avatar
gurneys
Member
10 years ago

Round 5 and genetics test

Had my second last round of chemo yesterday. A bit of a celebration despite knowing what the next week and a bit holds for me. The docetaxel definitely comes with its own side effects and I found that they hit me a bit later, my worse day was a little bit worse and they hung around for longer. But I got through it. Now only one more round of chemo to go.

With a strong family history of BC I had the genetics test done on Wednesday. Awaiting those results as they will present me with some new decisions to make. If I do carry the BRCA mutation then a hysterectomy is definitely on the cards. I will also need to consider whether I will have a double mastectomy or not. I'll need to make that decision before my rads start though which aren't far away.

A comment was made in passing by my Peter Mac consultant that if I have rads now and have a mastectomy later, that the rads will affect my reconstruction options. Can anyone shed any more light on this? I will of course clarify this with my radiologist when I see him next but that's a few weeks away and of course I am curious now.

My radiologist also made a comment in passing when I last saw him which I dismissed at the time but have been thinking about. You see, I am a high school teacher and so far I have taken six months off to get through surgery and chemo. I will be returning to work in July, once chemo has finished but just after radio starts. My radiologist looked at me and said that most schools prefer their teachers to take the term off that they are going through rads. I have been thinking about this and wondering why? Have I underestimated the effects that rads will have on me? Will I be unable to function effectively? Curious - I do overthink things sometimes.

Hope everyone is having a good(ish) week.

x-S

5 Replies

  • gurneys's avatar
    gurneys
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks for your replies. Some VERY useful information there and things to consider. I guess I won't know how rads will affect me until I'm there as everyone seems different. I just don't think I can take any more time off work so I guess I'll just wait and see. And if I have the BRCA mutation, well another path stretches out before me I guess.

    It all does my head in sometimes. It's never black and white.

    x-S

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    I am an ex high school teacher and started off working (at an office job) during radiation. Something to consider - you may not be able to get a regular session time during treatment that will accommodate your classes. I was all right for the first two weeks but after that, the tiredness began. In hindsight there is no way I could have taught during the last few weeks. The body is going through a lot of cellular changes and needs rest. One day I would be fine but the next day the fatigue would just hit me.  I ended up working two days a week for the last couple of weeks and had a week off after treatment to deal with burns. If I ever did it again (obviously I can't) I would wait to go back to work and enjoy the down time. But everyone is different.

    Good luck with it.

    Nadine

  • Doll's avatar
    Doll
    Member
    10 years ago

    Regarding reconstruction options, have you joined the Breast reconstruction online group here?  The ladies in that group and on Reclaim Your Curves website have a wealth of experience to share.  Reclaim your curves hold regular get-togethers where you can talk with other women who are thinking about or have undergone breast reconstruction.

    I'm not sure why schools would prefer their teachers to take the term off that they are going through rads?  I'm not a teacher but returned to work after 6 months of chemo and three weeks into my five weeks of radiotherapy.   In retrospect I did go back too soon.  Everyone has a different experience but two weeks in I caught the office cold (immune system not quite recovered from the battering it has received)and the radiation skin reaction kicked in.  Too uncomfortable to wear anything that would be suitable for my workplace.  I had another month off work.  I was all prepared for the fatigue to hit towards the end of radiotherapy it didn't happen for me.  The oncologist did emphasise that it would take time to recover after surgery followed by chemo and then radiotherapy.  Go with what feels right for you and be prepared to change your plans as you need to.  All the best with it.

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    The skin after radiation can have much less stretch and be more fragile  so normally if planning on an implant reconstruction they normally would want the tissue expander in and well inflated prior radiation I believe. You could have your expander put in your affected breast pre radiation and then still go ahead with the other one at a later date if you wish as this side will not be affected 

    I believe also that radiation still causes a lot of fatigue...but less so than chemo, but as you may still be recovering it is difficult to know how it will impact on you.

    Hope this helps a bit. Kath x

  • Aqua_sunrise's avatar
    Aqua_sunrise
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi gurneys ??

    I have just finished 33 radiotherapy sessions. Well 31 actually. I was too badly burnt to do the final booster 2 ????

    I think, like all of our journeys,  reactions to various treatments is a very individual thing. 

    No one least of all me, expected such a dramatic side effect. No one else I have known had been even close to a side effect & I am a fit, healthy, young 60. 

     Some girls breeze through radiation, easy as. I do think it prob makes a difference where your tumour site was, the grade & duration of radiation.

    Based on my experience, I was very thankful I didn't have to be anywhere else for the rest of the day & I could wander round the house bra less ! 

    Sorry, I haven't helped you, but the severity of side effects took me by surprise ! I hope you find, like the majority of people, that you are just fine.  I was tired as well. Not too too bad, but def under par. 

    Good luck for an easy radiation road ??