Anyone with radiation to left chest & intramammary lymph nodes

chrissie29
chrissie29 Member Posts: 121
edited February 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi.  I had my simulation today and will be having radiation to my chest wall and all 4 sets of surrounding lymph nodes (axilla, clavicular, and intramammary) starting on 2/2.  Wondering how others did as far as any or hopefully lack of any long term cardiac and lung side effects.  I am going to be positioned supine and do a deep breath hold, but my heart doesn't drop into my chest but rather down so the RO is looking into what will need to be done to minimize the radiation to my heart. 

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited January 2015

    I had all of that radiation and had cardiac issues going into Rads as I had a heart attack caused by AC Chemo and valve damage from Herceptin.  I was nervous.  But I had no trouble except for some minor lung issues.  I got one of those Spirometers that they give you in the hospital - plastic gizmos you breath into - they really help during Rads!  I'm now 2.5 years out from Rads and doing well...

    It will be better than you think!!!

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  • chrissie29
    chrissie29 Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2015


    Denise-G  Thank you so much for your story and words of encouragement.  I really appreciate it.

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2015

    Chrissie, I had the 33 zaps, left side. No problems with heart or lungs. Radiation was very easy, compared to chemo.

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    Hi has anyone had rads twice to the same area? I need some help.

    I had Rads with boost . But I didn't have clavicular area or nodes radiated.

    I'm not sure of the criteria in which they suggest this. If you know please share.

    The rads where not bad . Only a minor sunburn. Slightly red. :)

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  • chrissie29
    chrissie29 Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2015


    Funthing42-I am having radiation to my nodes due to the size of my tumor (8cm before chemo).  If it had been smaller, I don't think I would have the nodes radiated.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2015
    I will have to have axillary nodes and probably supra clavicular nodes radiated as well as left breast with a boost, due to malignant node. I'm concerned about the large area being treated as well as the potential issue with damage to the heart, too, Chrissie.

    It's too bad that your heart isn't going along with the program. I hope your RO can come up with a solution. I wish I had some insight to offer you but all I can offer is support and good wishes.

    Let us know how it works out.
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  • cider8
    cider8 Member Posts: 832
    edited January 2015

    I had 44 treatments on the left side. Supraclavicular, axilla and those intramammary nodes. It's been almost 15 months and I've had NO lung issues or heart issues. I had 11 fields so I feel like my RO did a good job avoiding heart and lung. He did radiate the heck out of my ribs though. Those muscles in between are still tight and sore, even with great physical therapy. I have fair range of motion as well. :

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  • chrissie29
    chrissie29 Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2015


    Thanks Hopeful and Cider for the support and info. 

     

    Chrissie

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  • ThinkingPositive
    ThinkingPositive Member Posts: 834
    edited February 2015

    I just saw a Radiation Oncologist today and was told I am in the gray area. 1 Node positive. If they do radiation it would be to the clavical and the breast area. Generally they do radiation for more than one positive node. They will do if I want, but they are not telling me I have to do it. If they thought I needed it they would tell me....what do you do when you get told this? Small percentage of benefit, higher percentage of risk for lymphedema.

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  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 204
    edited February 2015

    I start rads to my left side 2/16. I'll have 27 rounds plus 6 boosters to axilla, clavicular, supraclavicular including full neck, intramammary, and my entire left chest wall/breast all the way around to the back. Dosage 66 Gray. My cancer is a recurrence, so my RO isn't holding back in the least. I'll also do the deep breath hold, and to make things even more difficult, my RO is working around my 410 implants from my 2007 reconstruction! I've asked him about damage to my heart, not being able to hit all his target areas and offered to remove my implants so many times I'm pretty sure he thinks there is something wrong with me. :)

    I look forward to hearing what others have to say on this thread.

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  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited February 2015

    I had rads to my left side including shoulder, collarbone and sternum over three years ago. No issues to report and I remain very physically active.

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  • tackisj
    tackisj Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2015

    I had left side radiation.  I had to hold breath for 20 seconds while breathing in a mouth tube (looks like a snorkel).  Wasn't too bad.


     

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  • ThinkingPositive
    ThinkingPositive Member Posts: 834
    edited February 2015

    Going for a second consult tomorrow and wondered if anyone has any questions that I can add to my list to ask about having radiation. They are looking to do clavical area and breast. Had one lymph node positive out of 17, with encapsulated invasion, clear margins around IDC, 10 mm, but had lymphovascular invasion. Had a mastectomy, Just finished chemo and will be on hormonal drugs. They say I am in gray zone.. wondering why they would not suggest doing the intramammary nodes?? Guess that will be one of my questions. I see others have had that area done.. what is the reason some get that area and others not?

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