pre-radiation

marijoy

I would like to hear from anyone who had radiation a year ago, or 3 years ago, and/or 5+ years please? Thanks.

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

jeancmici

Why? With those questions, seems you are doing some research - not for personal information for yourself. If so, tell us more.

ktinkey

I finshed my radiation end of Jan 1999, so it is a little over three years ago. I did awesome. Thought it was a piece of cake. Just got tired, but then again I was tired anyway from the cancer. I am completely recovered. Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Kathy

shirlann

Hi, I had rads 3 1/2 years ago. The rads were nothing. I did not burn ( brunette) and I worked the whole time, just took off early and then went home after treatment. For me, it was nothing. My family and I went on a trip to Baja to see the whales 6 days after I finished treatment. But, I have had "soft ribs" 2 broken, and costochondritis, which is pain between the ribs and the chest wall. This is not common, I have had a hard time finding anyone else with this complication. So, all in all, I think the few problems far outweigh the benefits, which statistically, are huge. Get Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and read the statistics, Hugs, Shirlann

marijoy

jeancmici said:

Why? With those questions, seems you are doing some research - not for personal information for yourself. If so, tell us more.

I had a lumpectomy and have read about the long term sequelae of radiation - its effects on the heart and lung. That's why I'd like to hear from those who had radiation for a number of years.

jeancmici

marijoy said:

I had a lumpectomy and have read about the long term sequelae of radiation - its effects on the heart and lung. That's why I'd like to hear from those who had radiation for a number of years.

Even the most conservative surgeons and oncologists who only do the basic things ALL insist that radiation IS necessary with lumpectomy. The newer equipment seems to not affect the heart (with left breast involvement) nor the lungs.

I have more pain in my breast than before radiation - finished radiation September 24, 2001 - and my doctors say that is normal. But although there are no guarantees, better some pain than cancer back in the same breast.

My cousin had radiation in 1997 and travels all over now - has no lasting effects. A friend of hers had radiation more than 10 years ago when lumpectomy was fairly new and is doing fine and golfs almost everyday when she is not traveling etc. and hers was the left breast also.

I had no skin breakdown during treatment - my instructions were to use no soap during treatments - no bra - no creams. If the skin had broken down, I had a special cream from the radiation oncologist but I never needed it. For other parts of you when you shower, use mild, UNSCENTED soap.

Good luck,
Jean

prayerangel

My last radiation was last summer, June 19, 2001. It was 28 treatments. I had 2 terrible burns under my armpit. They kept radiating me. I went from the cream to a vaseline type ointment to a bright orange paint on medicine. I couldn't wear a bra for about a week and I could smell my own skin. It was quite painful. My skin now is sensitive where the burns were and the rest is a light brownish, from my neck down. I was very tired from the radiation as well. I am fair skinned and have med. brown hair. Hope this helps.

marijoy

ktinkey said:

I finshed my radiation end of Jan 1999, so it is a little over three years ago. I did awesome. Thought it was a piece of cake. Just got tired, but then again I was tired anyway from the cancer. I am completely recovered. Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Kathy

I'm glad to hear that you did not experience any side effects of radiation. Is that still true to this date? Are you taking any meds for lung or heart trouble?

marijoy

ktinkey said:

I finshed my radiation end of Jan 1999, so it is a little over three years ago. I did awesome. Thought it was a piece of cake. Just got tired, but then again I was tired anyway from the cancer. I am completely recovered. Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Kathy

Thanks for the reply to my message, Kathy.

marijoy

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Appreciate your response, Auntie.

marijoy

shirlann said:

Hi, I had rads 3 1/2 years ago. The rads were nothing. I did not burn ( brunette) and I worked the whole time, just took off early and then went home after treatment. For me, it was nothing. My family and I went on a trip to Baja to see the whales 6 days after I finished treatment. But, I have had "soft ribs" 2 broken, and costochondritis, which is pain between the ribs and the chest wall. This is not common, I have had a hard time finding anyone else with this complication. So, all in all, I think the few problems far outweigh the benefits, which statistically, are huge. Get Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and read the statistics, Hugs, Shirlann

Appreciate the info - I'm really wary of the long term complications which won't show up until years after the procedure.

marijoy

prayerangel said:

My last radiation was last summer, June 19, 2001. It was 28 treatments. I had 2 terrible burns under my armpit. They kept radiating me. I went from the cream to a vaseline type ointment to a bright orange paint on medicine. I couldn't wear a bra for about a week and I could smell my own skin. It was quite painful. My skin now is sensitive where the burns were and the rest is a light brownish, from my neck down. I was very tired from the radiation as well. I am fair skinned and have med. brown hair. Hope this helps.

Appreciate your reply. I'm more hesitant than ever to undergo the procedure, so I hope the doctors will have some answers to the questions I'll pose which will really alleviate my fears.

jmgemmill

I had radiation pre and post surgery. It took me longer to take my clothes off then it did for the radiation. I went everyday for a specific number of weeks. Toward the end of the first series my arm pit became tender, but I was given instructions to use a wet compress of a sterile solution. I was told to use Bag Balm on the area until the redness went away. That was in 1999. I am doing fine. Good luck to you. ps the table is cold, I remember that quite clearly. JMGemmill