Radiation? yes or no

cnbigoc

I have been diagnosed with BC with 1 lymph node. I had chemo first and then a double mastecomy surgery that I just finished 3 weeks ago. I'm having reconstruction with expanders. I had 3 lymph nodes taken from surgery. I still have the rest of the year of herceptin due to being HER2 +. There was no visible cancer in the lymph nodes that were taken due to the great reaction to chemo I had, BUT after culture that was sent out microscopic cancer cells were found. I'm struggling with the question of Radiation or not. I have heard that rads destroy the lymph nodes, and am worried about lymphedema and have read here about so many women struggling with rads. I have already had the breast tissue removed (all cancer) AND the 1 lymph node that was cancerous... WHY rads now. As an insurance plan? Radiologist says that it will increase the chances of getting rid of this cancer by 10% with 26 treatments. 10% That's it? I'm still gathering information. I'm so new to this. I'm sorry for all the dumb questions or if this has been covered before. Thanks for any advice or places to go read.

cnbigoc (Can Not Believe I GOt Cancer)