Fear of radiation after lumpectomy

Every situation is unique, for sure. We each try to make the best decisions based on the information available. I wish you the best of luck and perfect health going forward. Hugs!

I had my lumpectomy surgery on 10/26/22 all went smoothly and I had minimal pain. My scar has healed perfectly and after much thought I decided to do radiation. I did prefer the longer 6 week course vs 1 week. I had 30 treatments and I finished on 1/25/23. I do not like the Tamoxifen med or any other drug prescribed for 1-5 years. Radiation was a challenge for me. I am fair skinned and progressively received painful burns; especially, under armpit and under right breast. I was given special creams a a healing gauze to adhere to the worst skin issues. Within days after radiation I have noticed major healing and no burning. I am 75 and I feel I made the right decision. I believe it’s always a personal choice because no one lives in your body but you! I wish you luck and prayers with your decision. Grateful!

Dear leebeth,
Thank you for your reply.
Wow! 5 days! Mine is 20 days! Doesn’t seem right, does it? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I had to beg for a short course! And tell them I would just do it at home if it was 20 days. Haha.

Thank you for your kindness. Wishing you perfect health as well.

Radiation wasn’t bad until the end where I was given 4 boost radiation treatments.
That’s when I was so burned and i had lost all skin in my left armpit and it was extremely painful that I developed cellulitis and my incision site had an odor that i first noticed and I went to in ER because the pain and the smell was awful and they treated me with Vancomycin (had a allergic reaction to that) and I was almost admitted but they let me go home and eventually I started healing and I had already went back to work by that time when I went to the ER.

I had radiation at 79 with no problems at all after chemo for breast cancer. I'm 81 now and get regular mammograms.

Hello raebaby.
Thank you for your comment. After radiation the doctors are recommending an AI for 5 years. Oh yum. 😳 Chemo was not recommended so I’m grateful for that. Thanks again. Take care.

I decided not to take the AI's. I already don't have the best bones and I was so miserable in menopause without estrogen in my system. I think I got breast cancer because I was taking estrogen replacement meds right up until the time I got it. I would take chemo again but not Taxol. It made me so sick until the dosage was reduced. I also took Herceptin and I would take it again. I went to radiation for 5 or 6 weeks weeks ,every week day. It was a grand day when the radiologist looked at my head and said, "I see hair coming back in!" That treatment barely caused me any trouble.
Anyway, other than having got peripheral neuropathy from the chemo and I can't drive, I feel good and I think I am doing well for my age. It's funny, I had no coordination and was lousy at sports.( I was busy instead being a speed reader. ) My husband and friends have beat up bodies ( bad knees, backs and ankles) from playing tennis and basketball, but I'm fine , having been a sloth!
I'm about to embark on a new journey with a Golden Retriever puppy....

I cancelled my radiation set up appt today as so scared. Because of being on left side..worry about heart and lung damage and they keep us alive.