Radiation after BMX

jashauer

Need some opinions - I am 38, have 3 young children at home, did ACx4 & Tx4, completed BMX, had 2/7 lymph node involvement.  Am now cancer free.  Doc never said a word during chemo that I may need radiation after chemo & BMX if I had 3 or less lymph nodes involved.  When I went back post op, she suggested more chemo (b/c the tumor did not shrink in half) & rads.  The surgeon took out my port during surgery so if I opt. to do the chemo & the rad, I will be using my veins.  I plan to do additional chemo as a preventative measure, but am having a hard time swallowing rads.  I, too, started reconstruction with TE & was told I would never be happy with the end result if I do rads. Who knew decisions would be so tough.  Of my 4 docs, they all have different opinions.  Afraid to go for a 2nd opinion on rads as it may add even more confusion.  Any thoughts?

Suze35

jashauer - I had 4+ nodes positive at diagnosis, so I was always in line for radiation.  I ended up doing all four fields - axilla, chest wall, intramammary, and supraclavicular, plus extra at the collar bone for additional nodes that popped up after chemo/surgery. 

I can only offer you my mindset - I have 3 young kids, am 41 years old, and will do ANYTHING to beat this cancer.  I am also doing more chemo now to try and help - Xeloda with Avastin.

I would like to direct you to this research article:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/new_research/20110606.jsp

It demonstrates that additional fields of radiation may reduce the risk of mets.

In the end - the decision is yours.  Radiation was very doable for me. I had two node-removal surgeries and slight lymphedema, and I think I'm dealing with some post-radiation pain in my shoulder, but I still have no regrets. 

I apologize if I seem to come across as pushing for radiation - I just wanted you to know the recent research and a point of view from someone who just recently went through it.