Upset about "lighter" treatment

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heathermcd
heathermcd Member Posts: 142
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

So, a little back story - because I had a mastectomy and my tumor was 4.2cm and I had 3 nodes - normally I would not be a candidate for rads (per my oncologist you would normally get rads if you have a lumpectomy, had a 5cm or larger tumor and/or had more than 3 nodes positive). Still, my surgeon and oncologist felt it would be smart to have me do rads because I was so close to the cutoff and because i'm only 27. I've had two treatments so far and finally met with the rads onc today to discuss treatment. This was the first time that she had mentioned they were doing a "lighter" treatment because she did not feel that I needed the full strength because of my stats and she said that she wanted my skin to heal nicely and not have to deal with any issues down the road that it may cause to reconstruction, etc....

Initially I was told that I would be getting 36 treatments plus boosts. Today, i'm told i'll only be getting 28 and no boosts. I feel like i'm getting ripped off! I want to be as aggressive toward this cancer as possible! Am I wasting my time doing radiation if i'm getting a "lighter" treatment? I feel like i'm going to regret not getting the full strength if this thing comes back. Has anyone else had a reduced dose of radiation? Is it effective? Any thoughts on this would be helpful to ease my mind.

   

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited February 2011

    heather I had the full deal, but if I were you I would get a second opion.  I am struggling with the fact the my oncotype dx was on interm and my MO said no chemo.  I feel the say way in the I want to fight this all the way.  I am 48, not as young as you but still young for bc.  I have already done rads, and am now seeking another MO for a second opion about chemo.  Wish I had done it before rads, but I will feel better after my appt on Feb 15th. 

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited February 2011

    Definitely get a second opinion.  You should have been told this before rads.  Good luck.

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited February 2011

    For what it's worth, they decided to skip my boosts right at the end

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited February 2011

    I was supposed to have 25 rads and 5 boosts and only made it to 22 rads so far due to my skin turning really red (my rad onc didn't want my skin to burn too bad or blister and felt I received the full benefit of them by that point anyway and I was fine with that).  Have been on a break to let skin heal and will be starting the boosts this monday.  If you're uncomfortable with your treatment protocol, definitely voice your concerns and get another opinion.  I'm 36 BTW.  Good luck!

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  • lakefront
    lakefront Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2011

    That is the same treatment I am getting although I have a bolus used every other treatment. I also had a mastectomy, I think that is why the shorter treatments. We do not have all of the breast tissue. I have te 's in place, I also did chemo dd ac/t.

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  • Smile_On
    Smile_On Member Posts: 141
    edited February 2011

    I had a bolus placed too.  They did this so the radiation beams would actually hit my chest wall and not the tissue expander.  They ended up skipping my boosts as well.  In my center 2/3 of the rad. onc's recommended radiation for me and 1 was on the fence.  They said they don't ordinarily do radiation for 1 lymph node affected, but b/c of my age they thought they needed to.  I was worried about not "finishing" too.  I'm trying my best to focus on the things that I can control, trust my breast team's advice, and let go of those things that are not up to me.

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