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heart damage from radiation

sadie03
sadie03 CSN Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I had radiation for left breast cancer and now have heart damage which cannot be surgically repaired. If the cancer doesn't get me my heart will fail. This really ticks me off. Anyone else experience this or have any suggestions??? Thanks!!
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Comments

  • 24242
    24242 CSN Member Posts: 1,398 *
    #2
    Side affects from treatments can sometimes be worse than the disease itself. Some of us seem prone to the side affects due to our sensativity.
    I think the best advice I was given trying to get my life back after fighting the disease, was to accept things as they are and do what I can to make things better. Counceling helps as does doing all one can to minimize the risks we now have to learn to live with. FEEL GOOD BOOK written by psycologist was a help.
    Hang in there and know that you have some control over that heart of yours as well as the risks for more cancer.
    Be good to yourself,
    Tara
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  • nancyeob
    nancyeob CSN Member Posts: 19
    #3
    Dear Sadie,
    I too have heart damage from radiation. I don't know the medical terminology but one side of my heart only works at 50% for its output. I am however on Social Security Disability which mentally helps a little.
    Best of luck, Nancy
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  • KimInBeirut
    KimInBeirut CSN Member Posts: 39
    #4
    I had lung damage occur as a result of radiation, and I also now have a rib that seems to crack quite easily since treatment. I don't have any suggestions except that my shortness of breath and rib discomfort are better than my alternatives were before radiation. Good Luck!
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