Radiotherapy side effects
Hello I began chemotherapy in April this year for triple negative breast cancer and 2 weeks ago I finished 13 cycles of chemo. I now can have a lumpectomy followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Due to some side effects of radiotherapy, I was looking at my options of removing the whole breast which I then could avoid radiotherapy as both options have the same survival rate. I have had sarcoid of the lungs in past and lot of severe gerd pain which I’m on medication for recently due to chemo. Has anyone got any experience with longterm side effects from radiotherapy they could share? Thank you
SOS: Partial radiation
Hello. Anyone with experience of partial radiation to share? I was told by an expert I’m recommended to do partial radiation due to my tumour characteristics. However, a 2nd opinion said I’m too young (early 40s). I have by tomorrow to decide who I’m going with - I feel like partial is the right one for me but keen to understand more. TIA 🙏🏻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.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!Cardio-Oncology and Chest Irradiation
I highly recommend this recording- Cardio-Oncology for Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors https://youtu.be/lyf6ZtDgkVM?si=84qAfUtTpM5I6-Vz Although the presentation focuses on cardiovascular disease risk in survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma, the information is relevant to anyone who has received radiation to the chest.
Radiotherapy after skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap-reconstruction?
Has anyone had radiotherapy done after their skin-sparing mastectomy & diep-flap reconstruction? Did it cause any issues with the breast flap? like hardening or shrinking? I had no lymph node involvement and had clear margins. It was decided in a team meeting with radio oncologist for me to have 5 weeks of radiation on the flap, due to younger age, size of lump (ILC-5cm) - although it was 2 bits lumped together into one and grade 2, pathology of the sample found focal-vascular-space-invasion, which hadn't spread anywhere outside the breast, but radio oncologist thought it could spread to lymph nodes in the future. Does this warrant radiation? I am on zoladex and ai. I have an appointment with the surgeon to discuss further but wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions or similar experience?
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!Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome
Hi everyone!!!! I was diagnosed with BC last year. I had DCIS and IDC......I had conserving surgery partial mastectomy with a flap reconstruction done......I had my yearly follow up in June this year and the mammogram and ultrasound picked up a mass....I had the biopsy straight away and it didn't contain any cancer cells......It was necrotic tissue. So I had to go back to Breast surgeon 3mths later which was last week....She said I was fine....I saw my radiation oncologist the day later for my routine check up......He told me I have radiation fibrosis syndrome.......I have pain daily and have trouble with the tendon at the front of my arm pit and pain in my arm, breast and left side of my breast. He told me it wont get better but will probably get worse and if I can't handle the pain he will give me medication which settle down the inflammation in the under lying cells which were damaged through the radiation. I was wondering if anyone out there has had this and if anyone knows if I should just have the whole breast removed.....I would be grateful to hear from you.....I don't like the idea of living the rest of my life with daily pain and restricted movement in my arm. Thank you :)
Radiotherapy burns
Hi everyone. I’m new here & wondering if someone has gone through something similar. I was diagnosed with grade 1 breast cancer & had a lumpectomy in June 2024. I finished 15 sessions of radiotherapy two & a half weeks ago. I’m quite shocked how severe my burns are near my arm pit. The burns peaked around 5 days ago. I’ve seen the nurse twice in the last week & she has assured me it all looks normal. She suggested applying solugel & keeping it bandaged. The problem is every bandage I’ve tried either slips off or the sticky part irritates my breast. I’m not sure how to get it to stay in place. Not even the bandage that the nurse put on lasted more than 2 hours. Any ideas? Also how long before your burns started to heal? Thanks
