Radiation or not ?

dsgirl
dsgirl Member Posts: 276
edited June 2014 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer

Hello, I was hoping to find a place like this, have read alot of the posts, I am 68, recently diagnosed and receied my treatment plan yesterday. I am 68, was a heavy smoker for 50 years, have lots of other health issues, and yet feel fine, thanks to the drug manufacturers that create meds for High BP, High Cholestorol, Osteoporosis, Low thyroid.

I have invasive ductcell carcinoma, grade I, suregeon recommended lumpectomy and radiation.

Anyone out there that survived radiation while having all of the above maladies.

I know I have to make the decision about my treatment myself, just would like a little imput if there are anyone out there with same M.O.

So many of you sound so upbeat, glad I found this site.

Thanks

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Comments

  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited July 2009

    I think you will be just fine....Just allow yourself extra time to rest, and tell your doctor what meds you are taking.  Radiation is fairly easy for most people and lumpectomy is not a painful surgery.... I bet you will do great!     Peace to you,   Tami

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  • rreynolds1
    rreynolds1 Member Posts: 450
    edited July 2009

    I agree that you should check with your doc about the meds you are on but I don't think that will make a difference.  If you have radiation, be sure to pick up a good aloe gel.  I buy the CVS brand for after sun.  It relieves the irritation to the skin pretty well.  That and being tired are the only side effects I've had.  I also recommend drinking plenty of water.  Good luck.

     Roseann

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  • dsgirl
    dsgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited July 2009

    Thanks for responding so quickly. My doctor does know all of all my meds, and also knows that I was a smoker for so many years. I was thinking there might be another "sinner" out there who has already experienced rads who could tell me if a less than perfect lifestyle made rads harder to endure, more side effects etc, I have read many encouraging posts about survivors who thought rads was a piece of cake compared to chemo, and I salute you all who have taken this path before me. 

    Thanks again, roseann and Tami

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  • cintipat
    cintipat Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2009

    theres a new treatment out there where you only have to have radiation twice a day for 5 days..but the caveat is the tumor must be less than 2 cm, no sentinal node involvement, and no more than Stage 1.......if you meet that criterea ask about external beam partial breast irradiation.

      I'm hoping i qualify....haven't been scheduled for lumpectomy as  yet.

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  • edna2009
    edna2009 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2009

     dear cintipat, 

    please could you  tell me more about the 'external beam partial breast irradiation'  it will be great help as i'm trying to came to terms with radiation therapy offered by my doctor. i've been diagosed of having dcis with microscopic invesion, less then 2 cm. i'm wishing you well.

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  • dsgirl
    dsgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited October 2009

    Hello-

    I started this long time ago and after I decided I must to the radiation I really have not checked it again for quite some time.

    EDNA- I selected a breastcancer surgeon that does work with an radiation oncologist that do the mammosite radiation, however I was not a candidate for the mammosite, due to tumor location. It was right under my arm at the very edge of my right breast, there needs to be some tissue / flesh at the tumor site, so a pocket can be formed where a baloon is inserted and the rdaiation is delivered into the baloon twice a day for 5 days and you are done. I understood it had to be a low stage cancer, and not too large, I qualified there, stage 1, 1 cm, no spread to surrounding tissue and 4 nodes taken were all clear. I am now having the regular radiation, 33 treatments, and am 22 of 33 done.  I understand it has been done since 2003 or maybe even a little earlier, there is a website, www.mammosite.com where you can find loads of info. I would have done it that way if I could.

    Wish you good luck in whichever way you choose, I think there are several other types, accelerated radiation and something that starts with brach -something. Sorry cnt remember that name.

    dsgil

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