Masectomy - No Radiation?

Eve,

I had my left breast mastectomy and immediate DIEP reconstruction in January. At the time, without the full pathology before the mastectomy, the prospect of radiation was a possibility as was chemotherapy. I met with both a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist while making decisions regarding reconstruction. I've had chemotherapy and am almost done with radiation. My PS assured me that he would be able to use fat grafting, if necessary, if there were any areas of necrosis, hardening, etc. in my radiated chest.

Most of the radiation is actually targeting the supraclavicular nodes because I did have positive nodes and this is an area where cancer might spread.

Before you make any decision breathe, breathe, breathe and then do what you are doing: research, ask questions, and get second opinions. I urge you to meet with both a med and rad oncologist as part of this process. I am making the assumption that you will meet with a PS too.

I don't know where you live but you can post a subject heading: looking for med onc, rad onc, ps, bs in or around _______ (fill in the city or state or city area - eg. "Chicago area" . You will get responses from other women who have had good experiences and bad. I didn't actually do this because I had my team. But I've seen women do this and I've referred women who've asked for doctor recommendations in my area.



This is all very new and raw for you. Bless your heart. You will get through this. Hold on to that thought with whatever strength you can muster right now. It can seem overwhelming but once you get all the pathology that us current for you and once you meet with different doctors, it will get better with a plan in place.

Hang in there.

Evet - l know the idea of having to go through radiation after you thought you were home free can feel overwhelming. I was there 6 months ago.  I ended up having a bi-lateral masectomy, followed by chemo, and am now just finishing up radiation due to 1 of my nodes showing cancer as part of my post-surgery pathology report.  When they discovered the cancerous node, they gave me the option of either a second surgery to remove the remaining nodes, or radiation after I finished my chemo.  After much research and having my case reviewed by 2 different tumor boards (different hospitals), I opted for radiation.  I have delayed my reconstruction and plan to start that process in a couple of months.  There are reconstruction options out there for those of us who have gone through radiation, and I think the best advise my plastic surgeon gave me when I was trying to decide between radiaton and surgery was to not let the reconstruction stage drive my decision.  Instead, he urged me to focus on doing whatever was necessary to eradicate the cancer from my system, and he assured me I would have a good outcome with my reconstruction regardless of which path I chose.  

Please take your time to get used to this new twist.  I definitely learned through my experience that cancer does not play fair, but if you are working with a good team of doctors, you can get through it.