I had a WLE on 31st dec but was told on the 9th Jan it was not successful as they did not get it all! So now I am due to go in on the 21st Jan for a masectomy then I have a course of radiotherapy! Having a hard time dealing with it but I know its for the best. But I am concerned that I will be more of a high risk for lung/heart damage from the radiotherapy and knowing that it will be a large area as the lump removed with DCIS was 10cm!!! Does anyone have any advice or any experience of masectomy then radiotherapy?
I had a mastectomy on 21st November and have my 5th radiotherapy today. I was told that a small amount of the lung could be affected by radiotherapy but they do their best to avoid this happening. I don’t really have any further information on this I’m afraid, but am concerned now as I have seen a couple of other posts about lung/heart damage!
I’ll be asking my oncs if this is true, but if it is I’m not sure what I can do about it.
I do not see my onc until after surgery! so if you hear before me please let me know as I am trying to work out my plan of action to help me get my head around things as I am a planner more than an organiser and it helps me to come to terms with crap situations like this!!!
I had a meeting with my onc on Monday to discuss my rads which are due at the end of Feb as I have concerns as it is will be to my left side. He said that by ensuring all of the chest wall is covered they purposely zap a small part of the lung and heart. However, it is a very small amount and the lifetime risk of any problems occuring is around 1%. I suppose there will be risks with any treatment and I will be interested to hear what other oncs have to say as there seems to be differences in opinion between them.
They give you all the worse case stuff as a precaution. I had a mastectomy and had chemo with rads…yes it bloomin hurt, but everyone is different. My rads finished in september…and now in january ive still got my bizarre square suntan thing still there.
I also had to have a hysterectomy in october and the nurse who did my full pre-op check said, that if she hadnt done my mastectomy pre-op and physically examined me…there was no evidence in any way shape or form that id had treatment at all. My heart was spot on (ecg) my blood pressure was marvellous, my lungs were completely clear and fine, my bloods were great…in fact her words were obnoxiously healthy…which made me and her chuckle lots considering the previous diagnosis.
My onc told me…the risks were…fried heart, fried lung, brittle collarbone, brittle ribs etc etc, But they have to tell you all those things worse case scenario. Take it all with a pinch of salt and go with the flow.
I was told all the worst case scenarios by my onc as well, but other than being sore and red still and I finished rads 21st dec. I am feeling really well. Hope that helps as well.
I have had the letter today to arrange my rads - last chemo of first 4 sessions is on 30th Jan - Rads planning is 19th Feb, and treatment starts on 21st Feb.
Great to read others’ comments - gives me an idea of the things to ask when I go for planning. I had mastectomy on 13 Nov, started 4 x fec on 28 Nov - all I know so far about the rads is that it will be to chest and neck area (because of lymph node involvement - 5 out of 11).
Have to leave home to have rads though grrrrrr my local health board don’t administer radiotherapy unfortunately - so I have to move up to edinburgh for Mon - Fri and just come home at weekends - not looking forward to it at all
