Radiation complications

Hello @kakc19 I did not have prone radiation, but I understand it is most common with left side now. Because my cancer was anchored to my chest wall on the inside by the breast bone, my radiation required my heart and lungs to take a hit. I am sure radiation today barely resembles what I received 20 yrs. ago.
So far I have not really had any life altering effects, it has affected my bones a bit, and my lungs a bit but I still have a pretty great quality of life.
I know they do prone radiation and also a breath hold technique, has your radiation team discussed either of these with you?

Yes. I have ILC so whole breast radiation required.
Mapping is Wednesday so will have more info then!
Thank you!!

Hi there,

I had left breat radiation September of 2022. I was able to hold my breath as well. I cannot feel any difference. An MRI showed a bit of scarring on the top of my lung. I was very active at the time and never noticed any breathing problems. I did have severe reactions on my skin from the radiation and the ensuing muscle damage but other than that I have no lung capacity problems. I wish you an easy treatment!

I just finished 16 rounds of photon radiation on my whole left breast and axillary lymph nodes. My doctor had prescribed proton beam therapy, but my insurance denied it, and upheld their decision through two appeals and an external review. Very frustrating, but I’m mostly doing ok. My skin is very damaged - burning and blisters, but healing. My esophagus was affected - made it hard to swallow food, but that is improving quickly now. I’m tired, but not noticing much with my heart & lungs, though get winded sooner - I thought that might just be the fatigue, but I suppose it could be lung damage. Did the breathing exercises through treatment. Seems hard to imagine some radiation doesn’t affect heart & lungs at least a little. I would just say, depending how many rounds you do (and maybe whether you do proton or photon), but the week or two after you finish are the hardest. I took time off work and used short-term disability for the time during radiation treatment and two weeks after. Glad I did. Good luck to you!

I had left breast radiation. June 2023. The whole breast and then a boaster. Total 15 days. I have not had any problems with lungs or heart. Skin took some time to heal and doctor called in a cream. Worked well. I had my radiation during summer( I live in Texas) so the outdoor heat I couldn’t tolerate well. Good luck! Ask your doctor any questions - be aware of your body - you might journal how you feel.

I had left breast radiation after a mastectomy. It was definitely a process, but my healing went so quickly that my plastic surgeon moved up the date to finish reconstruction. Definitely a tad uncomfortable while going through the 28 doses (and a couple of weeks after), but worth the peace of mind that follows completion. Good luck!