Radiotherapy and exercise
Hello everyone - After a DCIS diagnosis and lumpectomy with a re-excision I now have clear margins and, although I could have refused radiotherapy, I have opted in as it is still standard treatment. And I wasn’t prepared ‘to roll the dice’ as my surgeon put it. I will have about a three-quarter hour train commute and a 10 minute walk each way from the train station. So all up I reckon it’s going to be three and a half or so hours each day. I have heard that exercise helps combat the fatigue. My question is - yoga? I’ve found a fabulous YouTube yoga by Lisa Moore which is about thirty minutes, gentle stretches etc. Walking I could definitely do in fine weather. I also have a rowing machine at home that I enjoy. Have people kept up resistance training while going through radio? I work four days a week but I can be fairly flexible about hours. Any survival tips welcome!What The Heck Radiation and Chemo? What to do and the side effects, are freaking me out.
In July, I had a mastectomy with lymph nodes out, then they found cancer somewhere else in the body with completely no relation to the breast cancer. If the breast cancer wasn't enough. So, now I have to deal with the other cancer site, which is colorectal, and I have just had an appointment with the radiation and chemo doctors at Royal Brisbane Women's, and I don't mind admitting I'm freaking out. The side effects of the 50/50 cure seem to be so much worse than the actual disease. Yes, I know that the disease, if left to run riot, equals, you know. But, after all these years of funding and funding, why do we not have something better? It's so weird that since my surgery, I have had posts popping up on my socials left right, and centre. Like the "Cure from Japan with Bee Venom" seriously makes me want to find a hive and fly into one with wanton abandon. A "Breakthrough in South Korea, scientists can turn cancer cells back to normal cells," .. Say WHAT? (frantically looking up flights to S Korea) Then there is Ivermectin, Febendazole, and something blue? I mean, I have never paid attention to these things before, but now, my ears prick to the slightest twitch and rustle, like a kid who hears a lolly bag open within a 10-mile radius. I can't help it, I am confused about everything, am I the only one? When I confronted the chemo doctor about all of my concerns and questions, he said If you don't do this, you will be in palliative care in 3 months .. What, hang on what the heck???? I mean, just like that, he said that without any pause or thought, I was never advised that before, and then said, "Whatever you decide, we start therapy on the 28th July, and proceeded to walk out. This journey is brand new; everything has happened since July, and it is no lie, akin to riding a faulty wooden roller coaster with loose nuts, bolts, and rotting timber, operated by a maniacal, crazy clown, in the middle of a thunderstorm, who looks like he has been dragged through a hedge backwards. Just to clarify, the clown is the cancer. I have questions, a thousand of them, with no end of these questions in sight. Where are the natural alternative therapies, like, singing bowls, or is humming drums? What about the milk from an Aztec goat? Yeah, or the petals from a rare flower that only grows on top of some hidden temple in the Amazonian forest, which, on recent reading, is currently swarming with giant anacondas in a breeding frenzy, ugh! Ok, I made up the goat and flowers. No, there is only radiation and chemo. Sigh! I don't know what to do with this option. I have been told my cycle will be 28 days straight of radiation with chemo. I can look forward to a burning bum hole, diareah, burnt skin, possible issues with legs and bladder, and kidneys, and all sorts of other stuff. However, I was told that everyone is different and responds differently. Well, I have to say I don't feel that comforted at all. I am overwhelmed. If anyone can share with me their experience with radiation and chemo, I would love to hear from you. And if anyone knows where I can get my hands on an AZTEC goat in Brisbane, I would love that too!! Goats are ravenous but cute.
Radiation oncologist recommendations, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
I am about to undergo a wide excision for DCIS and I will later be referred to a radiation oncologist. Wondering if anyone is happy to share their experience with particular radiation oncologists on the Sunshine Coast. I will likely be going down the private patient path if I do require radiation treatment, as I wish to have the DCISionRT test (I have just learned that both Genesis and Icon offer this test).
Negative impact of radiation on Flap (autologous) reconstruction??
Hi all, will have mastectomy in a couple of months time, am considering to have an immediate breast reconstruction (IBC) using my own tissues/ flap (autologous). Unfortunately, I will have a series of radiation after the IBC. I am worried the radiotherapy will kill/destroy/ causing complications on the flaps. I did some research at my end. However the comments were conflicting. Therefore would appreciate your advice. Please..no advice is too silly. Thanks heaps!
Surgical options when you need radiation post surgery ???
Hi All I am seeking advice/information about what options you were given for surgery when you needed to have radiation post surgery. A bit about me, I am 52 single mum to adult sons (one still at home). I was diagnosed with IDC Grade 3 Triple Negative BC in early May. I have been undergoing neoadjuvant chemo and have just completed my last AC treatment, but still have 6 months of immunotherapy to continue. I've lost 10kg as a result of AC treatment. I struggle with being able to eat much so the weight loss may continue which won't be ideal. I get fatigued extremely easily with shakes and feeling like I'm going to faint after simple activities like doing dishes and food shopping. So I'm pretty house bound with minimal family support available. Back to my main question, what surgical options were you given and what warnings about negative side effects of radiation? My initial thought was to have a DMX with immediate implant reconstruction but the Oncoplastics team feel i should go for a SMX with DIEP reconstruction due to the radiation requirement. Due to my weight loss I probably only have just enough tissue for the single DIEP procedure and I'll likely need fairly extensive node removal also as I had 3 active nodes at diagnosis. My concerns are the length of the surgery needed, the scarring from the DIEP procedure and the recovery time as I have my first grandchild due to arrive around Christmas time. Any advice, stories, photos, anything would be much appreciated. Thank you for reading this and I hope your journey is going well. Sandi
Newbie - not the 2024 I was hoping for!
I was diagnosed just before Christmas 2023 with invasive lobular cancer - a journey that just keeps unfolding. Initial diagnosis scans showed the ILC was 3.3 cm, then MRI 6 cm and the pathology results ended up at 7 cm and another 1 cm LCIS spot in a totally different area. I had two surgeries- a mastectomy and a positive sentinel node, followed with an axilla clearance. I have some cording post surgery which physio is working on. Next week, I start chemo (AC and then Pacilitaxel) followed by radiation and then endocrine treatment. Not what I was hoping for the year I turn the big 5-0. I really appreciate reading other’s experiences, and the Q&As available here.
Breast Cancer Risk in Survivors of Hodgkin's Lymphoma
I discovered this resource from Hodgkin's International titled "Breast Cancer Risks For Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivors" https://youtu.be/YRp4NLcS4Os?si=QwtFipIn5q4LGrNW At 15:22 on the video, the surgeon discusses The National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical guideline on breast cancer screening for people who have undergone chest irradiation. This has important guidelines on when to start screening for breast cancer as well as methods of screening for breast cancer. At 17:51 on the video, the surgeon talks about The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study breast cancer risk calculator. Unlike mainstream breast cancer risk calculators, The CCSS risk calculator includes questions on previous radiotherapy treatment. I love that the surgeon provides strategies that survivors can use to advocate for themselves should they receive "push back" from medical providers.Flat chest scars - restrict movement or very tight? And did you have radio before going flat?
I'm in discussions with two surgeons (initial and then second opinion) about removing my 10-year-old textured and radiated implants and either going flat or replacing implants. I posed a similar question on the 'Flat Chat' group - I'm hoping this main chat has some more people who can share their experience on flat scars and radio. I was first diagnosed with BC in 2011 and had a loco-regional recurrence in 2014. I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in 2011 (39 years old), and the other side was prophylactically done a year later. Due to the recurrence, I had radiation to the implant reconstructed site (10 years ago). The implants are the textured variety. The radiated side has some contracture (firm/tight), but specialists have told me it's not too bad (but it feels average to me). I also have a fair amount of tight scar tissue under my arm due to the recurrence and radiation. One of the surgeons has suggested that due to the radiated skin and existing scar tissue, I may find the 'going flat' scars across my chest may restrict movement/be very tight for some activities (I do medium weights for bone health, walking, hiking, some swimming, gardening and lots of remote camping etc). Has anyone found their flat chest scars restrict movement/very tight? And did you have previous radiation (or even a reconstruction) before going flat? What has been your experience, scars, issues and advice for going flat?Have you replaced implants after radio? What's your experience/issues/advice +capsule (kept /rem'd)?
I'm in discussions with two surgeons (initial and then second opinion) about removing my 10-year-old textured and radiated implants and either going flat or replacing implants. I posed a similar question on the reconstruction group - I'm hoping this main chat has some people who have faced re-reconstruction. I was first diagnosed with BC in 2011 and had a loco-regional recurrence in 2014. I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in 2011 (39 years old), and the other side was prophylactically done a year later. Due to the recurrence, I had radiation to the implant reconstructed site (10 years ago). The implants are the textured variety. The radiated side has some contracture (firm/tight), but specialists have told me it's not too bad (but it feels average to me). I also have a fair amount of tight scar tissue under my arm due to the recurrence and radiation. I'm so confused because two surgeons have advised different processes for removing the current implants. One of the surgeons has suggested that due to the radiated skin and existing scar tissue, I have up to 50% chance of failure of replacing implants, resulting in needing a flap reconstruction or going flat. This has frightened the life out of me because I thought the replacement surgery would be relatively minor (a simple grease and oil change LOL) This surgeon suggests removing as much of the scar tissue capsule around the implant as possible before inserting the new implant (but not because of breast Implant Illness concerns - neither surgeon is on the en bloc/ BII train). Removing the radiated capsule could remove the current hardness and minor deformity. This surgeon also advises I may need up to 3 fat sculpting surgeries to smooth out the breast (thin) skin (but that’s more general anaesthetics and recovery and $s!). The other surgeon suggests leaving the capsule as is and placing the new implant inside the existing capsule. As my skin is very thin from the mastectomy, removing the capsule could hinder healing and create more scar tissue/infection/concaving. The fact that this area is radiated means the newly created scar tissue capsule could be worse than the one removed. I guess this approach means the existing firmness stays – but hopefully, it shouldn’t get worse if it heals without infection (better the devil, you know?). If you replaced your implants after radiation, what has been your experience, scars, issues and advice? Did your surgeon remove or keep your existing capsule?
