About to start radiation: Did anyone have heart or lung complications?

Hi
I had my first surgery december 2023 for DCIS ER/PR + HER2 -
Stage 0 lumpectomy with sentinal node surgery feb 2024. 20 rounds of radiation in 10 days right breast. Finished treatment Apr 2 2024. Had a pulmonary function test in October.Saw my respiratory physician I have pneumonititis to my rt lung from the radiation. He said hopefully it will heal on its own.It's an inflammation.I do have Asthma and I do have an inhaler.He also advised me to take a cough syrup for the cough that has developed.

I had Stage 1 same type as you. I had 20 rounds of radiation over four weeks. Yes, my lung is damaged. I had pain in my rib cage, lungs during and immediately following radiation and the Doc said it was normal. (Normal??? No.) I ended up with acute pneumonia a couple months after radiation (developed from a cold), ended up life flighted to a hospital and intubated for 8 days. Devastated my health. My right lung will never be the same - collapsed and scarred from both the radiation and resulting infection.

Now my current battle is with Letrozole. It has been debilitating for me. The Dr just discontinued it - but the damage to my right hand with neuropathy is severe. I can barely use it - painful and swollen. Not lymphoedema. The pain in the rest of my muscles and joints was extreme. It has resolved a little sans the letrozole but the arms and hands have not.

Good luck. I wish I had researched more - most definitely would have gone with a full double mastectomy and reconstruction - not because of the chances of recurrence - but due to the side of effects of the alternative route. It's taken my health to the lowest I've ever been. I'm 62 and have a pretty grim outlook on the future.

Be careful and do not hesitate to seek treatment for the flu and colds etc.