Did anyone else decide to not have radiation?

Posted by texas5 @texas5, Dec 1 11:48am

I am 69 with hormone positive and her2-Stage 1 (14 mm) Grade 1.

Radiologist comfortable with me foregoing radiation treatment.

Anyone experience similar situation?

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@texas5

Thank you.
Trying to make this decision keeps me up at night.
Did you have any issues from the removal of your sentinel notes?

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I had a seroma but it has gone away. No pain. All seems good. I read alot and my margins were good,my surgeon said she got it all. Radiation didn't give me much more chance of it not coming back. If it does come back I can get it taken care of again. Get all the info you need to make your decision. Good Luck.

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@texas5

May I ask why you had a second surgery ten months later - you mentioned it’s a double mastectomy - just wondering why 1 month months later.
How are you doing now?

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texas5, our bodies react differently to chemo and the effects. I was supposed to start radiation in April after my 1st surgery in Feb. Instead, I was diagnosed with a DVT-Deep vein thrombosis in my right back thigh. That put me on my 6-month use of Eliquis. Shots at first, then pills.
The start of October i was done with the allowed 6 months of the drug. I went back to the vein doctor and he ordered me thigh high compression stockings. Measured to fit me. The DR said my clot did not warrant surgery. Wearing those actually helped the blood flow. I did not know my own body breaks down the clot and had not done a good job yet.
I was taking a vacation to NY in November, so they scheduled the 2nd surgery Dec 28th, 2022. Over all i am doing great!!!!! I had numbness in my left cancer side under my arm when the 3 sentinel nodes were removed. That lessened to next to nothing after 16 months or so.
I was told the numbness could be there forever.
One last point. I was going to a regular follow-up appointment with my plastics dr after the surgery. His focus was on the surgical area. I had not thought to ask him about my swollen ankle. So on the way out, the NP walked by and asked how i was doing. I said to her that my ankle was swollen. She said oh no. Let me take a picture and show the DR. Stay where you are. Minutes later she was back and the DR to look at my ankle. I was then sent to the ETC emergency area, where i was sent to get an ultrasound. BLOOD CLOT results. Our medical teams are human. We must tell them if something seems or looks wrong. We get to advocate for ourselves to ensure our team sees all side effects of treatment.

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@tonysmom

I'm 76,ER + stage 2. I had a lump. 2 sentinel nodes pos. I chose not to do Rad. Had no chemo, but taking anastrozole. It is a hormone blocker. The radiologist agreed with my choice, or at least did not try to convince me otherwise. I had surgery in Sept. i am comfortable with my choice. I will update if things change.

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I could have written your post, except my surgery was last April. I feel confident with my decision. No chemo due to low onco score.

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My radiation treatment for right breast cancer is done differently
mine is done with me laying on my stomach and my right breast hanging in a cut out space away from my body, so it dose not effect the rest of my body only the breast itself.
I’m getting my treatment at.
Central Kansas cancer center.
I have what they call radio dermatitis
I call it a radiation burns because that’s what it feels like.
Today is my last treatment and they have me on an estrogen blocker to help keep it from coming back ??
I’m sorry you have to go threw that it
Must be very uncomfortable for you dear. I had 4 weeks of treatment
For DCI stage 1A 13mm
But I do feel so much better I’m 63
Yrs old. Good luck with your treatments sending healing prayers to you 🙏🙏👍 Hang in there

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Hi
I am her 2 negative hormone positive stage 0. I was not going to have to do radiation, then the radiologis while reading my pathology report went down to the lab. When he came back he said he had to verify that there was a microscopic break in one of my milk ducts.So he had decided I should do radiation. I did Ten days double treatment. I am seven months post Treatment still dealing with radiation side effects. Fatigue and just found out my rt lung has inflammation from the radiation. I wish I would not have done it. I opted out of the AI's thankfully.

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I'm sure there are many of us who question our choices. We can only work with what we are told and what we know. I have chosen not to radiate. We will see how that goes. I'm 76 ,ER + ,2 pos. nodes,and just didn't want to take the chance with all my other issues, (obesity.and arterial issues.)There are no guarantees,so be kind to yourself and good luck on your journey.

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Your words bring me so much comfort.
I feel certain I will probably not radiate although this decision brings me great anxiety.
Either choice brings much discourse.

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@sue417

Hi
I am her 2 negative hormone positive stage 0. I was not going to have to do radiation, then the radiologis while reading my pathology report went down to the lab. When he came back he said he had to verify that there was a microscopic break in one of my milk ducts.So he had decided I should do radiation. I did Ten days double treatment. I am seven months post Treatment still dealing with radiation side effects. Fatigue and just found out my rt lung has inflammation from the radiation. I wish I would not have done it. I opted out of the AI's thankfully.

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A microscope break meaning invasive ?

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@texas5

A microscope break meaning invasive ?

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Hi
The radiologist Said it was so very tiny but They could not guarantee any cells did not drop out. To be on the safe side you fell it was better to radiate. Since I knew I would not take An AI drug I decided to do it. I think 1 week of dbl treatment would have been enough

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