Anyone opted out of Radiation

I also debated about
I also debated about radiation. I went thru 7 weeks and while I hated every day of it, I never suffered severe burns, only minor skin irritation. I've spoken to several people who skipped rads and then had a recurrance. They all wondered if they had had the radition , would the recurrance have happened. I know it's a hard decision and my thoughts and prayers are with you!!

Lighthouse_7 said:

I also wanted to opt out. I
I also wanted to opt out. I had 7 weeks every day except weekends. That was the reason that I didn't get it in Boston where I had my surgery. Just too far to travel everyday ( 1 hour ). I am sorry that you have to travel that far. Is there anywhere closer that you could have it? That is probably making you want to opt out more than anything. I was lucky to find a center closer that was affilliated with my Boston Hospital.

As far as any other reason to opt out, I would not. If they say you need it, than I think you should. This is just my opinion but, I know how it was explained to me...as follows. Chemo will kill cancer cells (as well as good ones) but radiation will kill any lingering cells that might not be visable or detected yet. The little buggers can be hiding just waiting to attatch to something and spread. That's why that don't just radiate your affected area, but go beyond it's margins as well.

There is no pain at all in radiation, just some fatigue, but we've dealt with that before! As long as you keep applying cream ( they give it to you ) twice a day, you shouldn't burn. I got red at times and it went away. Once when they radiated up to my collar bone and side of my neck, I did burn but not anything like black skin or anything, just stayed red and hot for a few weeks.

BUT that was actually my fault, you see, I didn't know they were going up that high and I never applied the cream up there. I probably should have asked more questions in that area.

If I had applied the cream in that spot, I bet I wouldn't have had any problem.

It is always your decision in the end, but like a friend once told me, Radiation is a piece of cake after chemo.

Best of luck whatever you decide.
Keep us posted.
Wanda

Hi-
I have been going through radiation for the past 4 weeks. I have 9 more to go, so 9 more days (they were closed today for the holiday). I have not suffered any burns or irritation, at least not yet. I also completed 6 rounds of TAC in early May. I wanted to attack this with everything I could. I never knew or asked what the percentage is with me doing chemo and radiation. I had 2/16 lymph nodes involved and a left simple mastectomy with expanders placed at the time. I'll have my expander exchange in the near future. Then, I have decided I won't be monitored every year, I'll be monitored every 6 months. I'm not waiting a whole year! But, I didn't care if it was 2%, it was worth it. I can say I did everything-



rene9

I just finished radation
I just finished radation last Friday. 7 weeks 33 treatments. It was a 30 to 45 minute drive for us. I had a lumpectomy and radition is required with a lumpectomy. I did not burn at all. My skin did get a little browner but nothing else. I am very fair skinned and everyone that saw me could not believe that I did so well. My rad onc told me that we all are different and that some do burn and some don't. I was one of the lucky ones.

Hugs

Donna

I never gave it a second thought -
I was going to do EVERYTHING possible to fight. (At week 10 of weekly Taxol [after 4 A/C and surgery], I was way past exhausted and my Chemo Dr told me I could stop getting that one and the last 2 as it had already done 85 - 90% of what it could do - not good enough for me I wan it to do 100% of what it CAN do - so I made it through.) In a way, percentages of the 'over all' mean nothing to me personally - either I get a reoccurance or I don't.


I am one of the ones who did BURN badly - not a bad sunburn but the entire radiated area was open weeping wounds with it taking 6 weeks for the last scabs to come off the deepest of the burns. I only had tanning and freckling until the 23rd time and after the 25th (the last I had as no boosters were appropriate) it was a minor 'sunburn' but the next day it started really 'blowing up'.

If I had known what would happen - would I have done it - your betcha. It was bad and I never want to go through something like that again but I made it through and IF the Monster comes back - I can look Hubby (of 34 yrs). Sons, and G-daughter in the eyes and say it's back and they will know for a certainity that I did all I could to keep it at bay for them - I didn't wimp out because it was easier. My feeling/How I handled it aren't for everyone - but they are right for me and mine. We're all so different - not just in the particular Beast we are fighting but in our entire life's journey.

(I'm IBC [Imflammatory Breast Cancer] and it is a very aggressive form that doesn't have a very good long term survival rate - so 'fighting' with everything available was what I did.).

Personally - getting even 1% more is worth it to me - but that is just me. Be true to yourself and do what is right for you and yours.

May God Bless!

Susan

sbmly53 said:

I opted out of chemo,
but not radiation. 33 treatments, a 30-40 minute drive. I burned - not as bad as some, but more than others. I, too, had concerns, but my surgeon - whom I love, admire & trust - assured me that it was the way to go.

Arimidex now. I waited 3 months to start cuz I'm a chicken, but I'm doing well, so far.

Sue

From a person who had a
From a person who had a local recurrence 16 years ago, i felt if they recommended it then I should do it. I did travel to Boston, 90 minutes each way but was worth it for the doc.

Rad
Hi Kay, I can only offer my experience with Rad... Lumpectomy, chemo then radiation. Im hispanic with tan skin and I was one of the unfortunate that did get burned, my treatments where everyday for 6wks. by the 5th week I was very dark around my breast area and the area under my arm was so burned, worst then a sunburn, I was in so much pain, they gave me pain medicine and I took a wk off to heal a little. The week off helped alot, then I did my last week. I have healed under my arm and the darknest is clearing up quit nicely, so would I do it again... Yes, if I have to though I hope I never have to go thru that again... Ever! Just remember, everyone is different so good luck and we will be here for you.
Lupe

smalldoggroomer said:

you have all changed my mind
I will do the radiation for sure. I guess I was just having a stupid moment lets blame it on chemo.. Some of you have said something about having boosters?? Don't they do the rads in the same place each time? Do they do surrounding areas with boosters? Or are boosters just not as strong. Also did you get your cream from the Dr.? especially for radiation?? Is it RX? Thanks again Kay

If
distance is a factor, some ladies here have stayed in a hotel during the week to get their treatments--or the entire 6 weeks. I know some got some financial help from one of the cancer organizations--I just don't remember who.

Maureen

smalldoggroomer said:

you have all changed my mind
I will do the radiation for sure. I guess I was just having a stupid moment lets blame it on chemo.. Some of you have said something about having boosters?? Don't they do the rads in the same place each time? Do they do surrounding areas with boosters? Or are boosters just not as strong. Also did you get your cream from the Dr.? especially for radiation?? Is it RX? Thanks again Kay

Dr. P. explained it that the
Dr. P. explained it that the initial rads (25 for me) are generalized to the entire area. Bosters are localized/restricted to area of the tumor/tumors, not the entire area. When you have a large affected area (as I did) then boosters can't be done as there is no small area to target. At Least that's how he explained it to me.