Radiation and Invasive Lobular Cancer

@mimi09 My best wishes to you! I also am a lobular patient so your story speaks to me, as well as your age. You don't say why they thought you needed a mastectomy. I don't know if anyone "needs" reconstruction. When I was diagnosed with stage 1b, my dr at the time wanted me to have a mastectomy "because it's lobular." Maybe she knew more than I did. That had been her choice when she was diagnosed in her 40s. Still, I chose a lumpectomy and changed doctors. But I thought at the time that reconstruction at this age...is a lot of work. Everyone's choice is personal and so many factors are involved. Please let us know how you fare with your recovery. Power naps are the best! (the gel was also kind to me during radiation. We all need a supportive friend.)

What gel????

@marshgirl24
Mine is triple negative lobular. Very rare!! Neither of my doctors have heard of it!

@kathysimmons It's called Fruit of the Earth Gel. You can get it at Amazon. My hospital also carried it. A skin saver. I still use it sometimes. It would also be great for sunburns. I started with aloe plants. My friends brought them over. But it was not easy to cut a length and then skin it and it was nowhere near as easy to spread as this gel (which is also aloe based). Use it liberally and repeat. It absorbs quickly (your skin is thirsty!) I carried a glob of it in a baggie to my treatments. Then before I got my top on again, I spread it on myself with a generous hand. I never had skin problems during my treatment. My breasts remained soft.

Thank you so much!!! I think I just have 15 treatments!! I will order!!!

The aloe Vera gel ?????

I had double mastectomy and 33 + 5 boosts of radiation. I am now on anastrozole. I am extremely fatigued, no energy at all...and I use to be a doer, a goer, a helper....very frustrating. My one radiation Md said it could take 9 months to feel better. Ugh!

I had the same invasive lobular diagnosis - stage II. My onco type DX test came back that I was non-responsive for chemo. Radiation only increased long term survival by 2-4%. There is a risk - they say small - of heart issues down the road if they radiate the left side. In my case it was the left side so I chose not to do radiation. There are also the side effects of radiation which is significant burns. ( I know someone who did radiation and she said that her burns where pretty bad) 5.5 years later and my scans are clear. I changed my diet and have a large amount of supplements that I take for cancer prevention.
I hope for you nothing but the best in your treatment - it is your decision to make so do not let the doctors push you in to anything! It is OK to get more than one opinion - see another oncologist for options. The first oncologist we met with said no matter what she was going to do chemo and did not care what the onco test said. The second oncologist who agreed to order it basically said it would be malpractice to give me chemo. You have to be your own advocate!!

@knorflus
Thank you!! Sorry for bad experience!! I will have 15 sessions! Hopefully all will go well! Glad your scans are clear!!!

@gailmarienewton
So sorry to hear that!! Hope you feel better sooner!