Radiation or not?

I did not burn
Dear Madsters,
Everybody reacts different to treatments. My skin color changed to a light pink, felt like a mild sun burn. I didn't have blisters or peel or have any of the other pain that some of our sisters have had. The staff at the center I went to were awesome and let me lay my blouse over the area that was not getting radiation. The only surprise I had after the radiation was the pink area on my back. That really freaked me out for a little while.

I never considered not having the treatments or seeing the doctors as recommended, but all that running around made me crazy at time. Beleive me, there have been tiems when I want to take a brake from the tamifin though! My dx was almost the same as yours.

I will be praying that you are at peace with whatever choice you make, it is your body and you have the right to decide what is best for you.

Hugs,
Nana C.

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

I think you should do
I think you should do whatever is right for you. None of us have that proverbial crystal ball. If we only knew for sure....

Whatever you decide, you have our support.

Hugs,

Linda

Why Not?
Obviously, the decision is yours.......I have had Rads twice, first was after chemo,in 2009 and this past September...I, too was stage IIa IDC...my bc came back in my lymph nodes...I never burned either time...I used the creams my radiologist gave me, FAITHFULLY...carried it in my purse and applied it immediately after each treatment before putting on my top then three more times during the day...I was never "exposed" on the table...the techs were ever so concerned about my dignity and comfort...the biggest "pain" i had was going 5 days a week...I wanted no regrets down the road...and even though I did all I could to prevent the beast from coming back but it did...you're correct, there is no guarantee...now I'm just trying to stay stable..cancer is a sneaky thing...

As Linda said we will support your decision....keep us posted, we care...
Hugs, Nancy

No Ridiculous Questions Here
Dear madsters1, there are no ridiculous questions here. What you are going through right now IS scary and your fears are very real to you. But don't let other peoples "horror" stories about chemo or radiation effect your decisions about contiuing your treatment or not. You will make better choices if you are forearmed with information about what to expect with certian types of treatments.

Each person reacts differantly to their own treatments. Some people do get burned with radiation treatments and some don't. It depends on the dose you are given and the duration of the treatments. Yes, I did have a very bad burn with my radiation treatments, but I really had no choice, it was this or death! I chose to live and go through treatments. It worked for three years before the "beast" came back in my bones. I still choose to fight! Yes, we have had more that our share of ladies on this board who went through treatments and still ended up losing their battle to this "beast". Their are no guarantees in life.

Again, it is your choice as to your treatments and your decisions to continue or not. No one can tell you it won't be hard on you and your family, but is it worth it? I think it is. All of us here are behind you 100% and will give you whatever support you need when you need it. So ask all the questions you want to, no matter what the answers are. We were all afraid of this at one time,too. These fears will pass with help from others who have gone through this also.

Best wishes to you with your decisions.
Robert

HI
I think you posted on one of my posts about radiation. Like everyone else who read your post, I believe the answer can only come from you. YOU have the power to make intelligent decisions and personal decisions. I have to ask if you had the Oncotype DX test done. At least having that one test can give you some guidance about where you want to go. I had the test because my oncologist wanted to start me on chemo the very first day I saw her. I was determined NOT to have to go through that and asked if there was a way to tell if it could be side stepped. I am glad I did get this test. My chance of recurrence is low. Even with this knowledge, I took the road to radiation as an insurance policy. I have 6 treatments left and can't wait for it to be over.

As you read in my posts, I did burn. But I've learned that most folks do not burn. I was prescribed a sulfate cream that worked on those burns so well, my skin only looks pink now. I started the cream 2 weeks ago.

If you are scared of this happening, discuss it with your doctor. Honestly, for me, the hardest part of radiation is getting my body there EVERYDAY. Making myself get ready and walk out the door was/is a chore. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Radiation has it's pros and cons. I am sure you are reading and educating yourself. The decision to do the radiation or not should be discussed with your doctor. Trust me ... the doctors only want to help.

God Bless ... keep us informed.

Mary

PS --- my diagnosis is almost exactly like yours except I am PR+ as well.

radiation questions
Only you can make that decision. I was told by one dr. I should definietly have them, then another one said, probably not needed, since was stage zero, then the Medical Oncologist said definitely yes, as it would cut the chance of recurrence in half. So I did the "Canadian" version, since I had to fly every day to the treatment center. This was only about 4 weeks, vs. 6-8 weeks, and I had no problems, I used Aquafor every day after treatments, which were very short, only under a machine for a few minutes and no pain or anything. You might ask about the shortened version . . . My final decision was that I could not live with myself if my cancer recurred and I had chosen no radiation . . . . at least I can say I tried the radiation, even if it does recur . . .
Really wasn't bad for me at all, but then again, I had to fly back and forth every day into Anchorage for treatments and that, plus the cabs, were the worst part for me . . .rad appts were done in less than 10-15 mins. each time . . .but again, each treatment and person is individual . . . best wishes . . . hang in there . . . .

sdukowitz said:

radiation questions
Only you can make that decision. I was told by one dr. I should definietly have them, then another one said, probably not needed, since was stage zero, then the Medical Oncologist said definitely yes, as it would cut the chance of recurrence in half. So I did the "Canadian" version, since I had to fly every day to the treatment center. This was only about 4 weeks, vs. 6-8 weeks, and I had no problems, I used Aquafor every day after treatments, which were very short, only under a machine for a few minutes and no pain or anything. You might ask about the shortened version . . . My final decision was that I could not live with myself if my cancer recurred and I had chosen no radiation . . . . at least I can say I tried the radiation, even if it does recur . . .
Really wasn't bad for me at all, but then again, I had to fly back and forth every day into Anchorage for treatments and that, plus the cabs, were the worst part for me . . .rad appts were done in less than 10-15 mins. each time . . .but again, each treatment and person is individual . . . best wishes . . . hang in there . . . .

sdukowitz
I was also stage 0.I was told by the surgeon no chemo or radiation.I questioned it but my family doctor and my oncologist said it was OK.My tumor was 1/2 centimeter.I didn't want alot of radiation but just some. Not as much as those with invasive cancer.Reading your post does make me feel uncertain.

My friend had radiation after chemo.She said it was breeze compared to chemo but did have some burns/redness.

MsGebby said:

HI
I think you posted on one of my posts about radiation. Like everyone else who read your post, I believe the answer can only come from you. YOU have the power to make intelligent decisions and personal decisions. I have to ask if you had the Oncotype DX test done. At least having that one test can give you some guidance about where you want to go. I had the test because my oncologist wanted to start me on chemo the very first day I saw her. I was determined NOT to have to go through that and asked if there was a way to tell if it could be side stepped. I am glad I did get this test. My chance of recurrence is low. Even with this knowledge, I took the road to radiation as an insurance policy. I have 6 treatments left and can't wait for it to be over.

As you read in my posts, I did burn. But I've learned that most folks do not burn. I was prescribed a sulfate cream that worked on those burns so well, my skin only looks pink now. I started the cream 2 weeks ago.

If you are scared of this happening, discuss it with your doctor. Honestly, for me, the hardest part of radiation is getting my body there EVERYDAY. Making myself get ready and walk out the door was/is a chore. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Radiation has it's pros and cons. I am sure you are reading and educating yourself. The decision to do the radiation or not should be discussed with your doctor. Trust me ... the doctors only want to help.

God Bless ... keep us informed.

Mary

PS --- my diagnosis is almost exactly like yours except I am PR+ as well.

I had rads also. I didn't
I had rads also. I didn't burn, but, was probably close to it. I was uncomfortable and tender, but, it all went away very quickly after I finished. I trusted my doctors judgement and felt it was the best thing for me to do to fight the cancer.

Good luck and keep us updated,


Jan

Watercolor said:

NO problems with rads
I got DCIS diagnosis in November '02. Rad treatments in Jan. and Feb. '03. NO problems with it. Was used to being exposed. That didn't bother me. Rad onc told me to use (Fruit of the Earth) 100% aloe vera gel. I slathered it on about four times per day starting a few days before rads started. He said use only Basis and Ivory soap. In any case, nothing containing alcohol. My skin got only pink and dry. Normally he has patients come back for a check-up two weeks after rad treatments end. He said I didn't need to. NO problems.

Madsters, have you made your
Madsters, have you made your decision yet whether or not to have rads?


Hugs, Megan

Rads
I took all i could get. Like you, I had IDC, state II (with no nodes involved), grade 3 though (at age 32). But I wanted to take all I could so I have no "what if's" later. True no one knows anything. But at the end of the day this call is on you. You need to feel comfortable about your decision. But don't let others scare you or influence you. Everyone is different.

When I took radiation, it wasn't bad. It didn't really burn, but I only took 21 treatments. For me it was much easier than chemo.

I understand your perspective about taking a break from all of this. I so much get it. But think about this, and consider your odds and prognosis, then make an educated decision about it. Try getting the Dr. to explain the pathology report to you and what everything means, in your case. This would be helpful to you.

I wish you good luck. Be well.