Forum Discussion

Julie_A's avatar
Julie_A
Member
15 years ago

Taking a break between chemo and radio therapy

Hi Ladies, I have completed 4 rounds of chemo (had the "AC" from "TAC" was allergic to the "T") and will be changing my chemo drugs next round for yet another 4 rounds. Can't remember the new drug, I'm blaming the chemo brain. Chemo effects have been very touch and I'm now spending days in hospital after each treatment.

 I don't know anything about what happens after chemo finishes, apart from knowing I will be having radio therapy and homone therapy. So I asked my Oncologist about radio therapy and the look on face was yelling out at me "slow down, you haven't even reached the half way point yet" (asked him after my 3rd round). So I said to him (as I felt he needed some reassuring) "I know I'm not half way yet but....". He told me that radio therapy will usually start about 4 weeks after my last chemo treatment. I'm assuming I will have around 6 weeks of radio therapy, therefore taking me over the christmas.

I was wondering if anyone had a longer break between chemo and radio therapy. Chemo is not kind and after each treatment I spend time in hospital. I feel I would like to have a 'treatment free' Christmas. Which would mean putting my radio therapy back by about a month. Any advise would be appreciated. I want to break the news to him on Friday :)

Cheers

Juie

8 Replies

  • Coldcapper's avatar
    Coldcapper
    Member
    13 years ago
    Sorry that RT may have damaged your ribs. Hopefully that is not ongoing deteriation. I guess my choice to probably skip RT is more about those sort of ongoing implications from RT obviously so what to skin damage thats small fry. But if I can avoid more damage to my body therefore less meds in other words less ongoing medical complications I will explore the double mastectomy with implants - or what ever is suggested that allows me to skip RT which is shaping up as my answer- more investigation I guess - its not vanity I just want the least damage and reaccurance that I can get so I get on with my life . Now there is always a posative I will have great boobs at eighty and a complimentary tummy tuck . Ha ha All the best ladies. Women are so strong - cheers
  • Julie_A's avatar
    Julie_A
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Coldcapper,

    Good news about not loosing your hair. I completed chemo in November 2011 and had 33 rounds of radio therapy, which I finished in January this year. I, like you have a high chance of cancer returning (anywhere in my body). I was 48 when first diagnosed, partial mastectomy, 15 lymp nodes removed, ten had cancer and 4 had leakage.

    I found RT a walk in the park compared to chemo. I followed the instructions regarding skin treatment and the side effects to the skin, although uncomfortable were OK (again compared to chemo, what a little bit of burnt skin). I also had to have it not only in the breast ara by high on the neck. I feel you are in a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul, as you sign on the dotted line knowing that RT could cause cancer, how ironic. I think the RT has affected by ribs and will be speaking to my GP about it, as I'm starting to get pain in the last month or so. Would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this.

    Would I have RT again, knowing the long term effects. My answer is yes. I'm an optomist and I would like to think the advancement in cancer treatment would save me, if due to RT the cancer returned. However, how do we know that it was the RT that caused the cancer, especially since we are have already had cancer. I think you need to look at the percentages of survival rates of those women that have had similar cancer (stages, lymp nodes etc) and see what the percentage is of those women that only had chemo compared to those that had chemo and RC. I'm sure your oncologist could also provide you research on the long term effects of RT on the breast, as RT has been around for some time now.

    I wish you well with your decision and treatment.

    Cheers

    Julie

  • Julie_A's avatar
    Julie_A
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Coldcapper,

    Good news about not loosing your hair. I completed chemo in November 2011 and had 33 rounds of radio therapy, which I finished in January this year. I, like you have a high chance of cancer returning (anywhere in my body). I was 48 when first diagnosed, partial mastectomy, 15 lymp nodes removed, ten had cancer and 4 had leakage.

    I found RT a walk in the park compared to chemo. I followed the instructions regarding skin treatment and the side effects to the skin, although uncomfortable were OK (again compared to chemo, what a little bit of burnt skin). I also had to have it not only in the breast ara by high on the neck. I feel you are in a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul, as you sign on the dotted line knowing that RT could cause cancer, how ironic. I think the RT has affected by ribs and will be speaking to my GP about it, as I'm starting to get pain in the last month or so. Would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this.

    Would I have RT again, knowing the long term effects. My answer is yes. I'm an optomist and I would like to think the advancement in cancer treatment would save me, if due to RT the cancer returned. However, how do we know that it was the RT that caused the cancer, especially since we are have already had cancer. I think you need to look at the percentages of survival rates of those women that have had similar cancer (stages, lymp nodes etc) and see what the percentage is of those women that only had chemo compared to those that had chemo and RC. I'm sure your oncologist could also provide you research on the long term effects of RT on the breast, as RT has been around for some time now.

    I wish you well with your decision and treatment.

    Cheers

    Julie

  • Coldcapper's avatar
    Coldcapper
    Member
    13 years ago
    Hi inspirational ladies. I have had 2 surgeries left breast partial mastectomy nipple removed and lymph nodes removed now having chemo. I have ear margins and now the genetics seem to indicate I may have a slightly higher risk of another occurance of BC and or ovarian cancer. After chemo I have to decide either RT or a double mastectomy. It was mentioned that as the RT to the breast involved is the left side it would perhaps cause heart muscle damage perhaps cause a rib breakage and the RT I self could cause another type of cancer down the track. Then I hear of the skin damage etc and I feel that the double mastectomy may be a less damaging alternative. I would be able to have immediate reconstruction -implants. Then hormone treatment and monitoring. I am trying to get to grips with all this I just want to take ther course that at 58 will give me the healthiest least damaging drugs for the next 20-30 years. So ladies anyone with the real lowdown on RT over left breast implications and outcomes would be so appreciated. I really know each case is individual however it seems that each step along the way reveals another swag of decisions and potential complications which I realize would do your head in if told at diagnosis so it gradually unpeeled in the most invidious way. Power and posative thoughts with you all and any info would be gratefully received. FYI the cold cap has preserved my hair thus far -week 4 two more chemos to go - a lot has gone - but mine was thick to start with - if it goes it goes but so far so good. Pain from the cap is only momentary definitely not to much to cope with. Cheers lovely ladies x
  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    My first time with radiation therapy started early December 2006 and finished at the end of Jan 2007.  I had to be away from home for 7 weeks as I had to have the therapy in Brisbane (I live in Rockhampton).  My close family joined me over the Xmas period (we took time out and had a holiday at the Gold Coast).  I know how you feel about having a treatment free Xmas but it is doable to start prior to Xmas and then resume after.  Gets it over and done with sooner.  Take care and I hope your next chemo goes better. XLeonie

  • Leonie_Moore's avatar
    Leonie_Moore
    Member
    15 years ago

    My first time with radiation therapy started early December 2006 and finished at the end of Jan 2007.  I had to be away from home for 7 weeks as I had to have the therapy in Brisbane (I live in Rockhampton).  My close family joined me over the Xmas period (we took time out and had a holiday at the Gold Coast).  I know how you feel about having a treatment free Xmas but it is doable to start prior to Xmas and then resume after.  Gets it over and done with sooner.  Take care and I hope your next chemo goes better. XLeonie

  • melphilp's avatar
    melphilp
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi Julie,

    I finished my chemo three weeks ago and start radio this Tuesday. Chemo really knocked me around too - I had two stays in hospital after rounds two and five. I don't know about putting it off either - the oncologist will certainly tell you his/her opinion. I am longing to get it all over and done with, but I do understand what you mean about Christmas.

    Hope things work out for you,

    Mel

  • annie2's avatar
    annie2
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi julie sorry to hear you are having such a bad go from chemo.you should find your next lot of chemo wont be as bad as the AC chemo.

    Regarding your radiotherapy i only had a week break from chemo before starting.Im not sure about putting your radio off you would have to speak to your oncologist about it.I found the first 3 weeks of radio very easy though so if that helps to make adecision. the last few weeks was when i struggled.

     good luck with things and i hope you feel a lot better soon x