anyone else stop raidiation

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rodeogirl
rodeogirl Member Posts: 52
edited March 2015 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi I have been terrible with treatments, everything makes me ill, mainly due to extreme anxiety, i started radiation 1 treatment, and i unable to bring myself back to do it again. They said no side effects till 3 weeks, I have a metal taste in my mouth and stinging pain already with underarm lymth node removal. I cant believe how strong everyone one else is with treatments, it makes me me helpless :( fear was the only reason i went for radiation, because i have very high risk.now worries i may have made things worse.

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited February 2015

    Hi rodeogirl.  I too experienced extreme anxiety.  Two things helped me.  One, I confessed about my anxiety to my RO.  He spent a long time talking with me which diffused some of the anxiety.  Two, another doctor suggested that I go to a meditation therapist.  The therapist was part of my cancer center's program.  My appointments were free.  The cancer concierge set up my appointments, but I think my nurse navigator could have done it also.  I held little hope for the meditation, but it turned out to be amazing at dealing with my anxiety.  I guess that there was a number 3.  I started attending the breast cancer support group at the cancer center.  The ladies in the group and the nurse navigators who led the discussion had additional advice and knowledge about dealing with cancer anxiety.  I hope you find some help as anxiety, in my experience, is very uncomfortable.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited February 2015

    I refused to try the chemo my mo was suggesting. I felt like it would be like rat poison or something the thought was so unbearable. We do what we can and what we believe is truly helping us get better.

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  • rodeogirl
    rodeogirl Member Posts: 52
    edited February 2015

    thankyou. im amazed with peoples strength, i dont understand how people dont worry, especially left sided radiation, when both the heart and lungs are being hit. It is proven that there is a real chance of heart damage sometime down the line. There is even a group called rage for women who have radiation side effects. I know the rdiation will kill cancer cells, its fantastic, but How can people go through with it without worrying they will have a heart attack? My onco was so nice he said there was no way i should carry on the treatments without being 100% in favour, he said the anxiety and worry could be worse for me, I just have to check daily for recurrence.

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  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 340
    edited February 2015

    rodeogirl I had the same concerns as a lefty. They scanned me lying face down and were able to plan it so that my heart or lung does not get any. In fact I even had them cross out the heart and lung side effects from the consent I signed about side effects. I also saw my scan print and while a tiny part of my rib is in the area my heart and lung are not. Also they take X-ray daily after they line me up to make sure of this. Did you look into this? I assume your RO would have but letting you know just in case

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  • Reader425
    Reader425 Member Posts: 653
    edited February 2015

    rodeogirl I also Am a lefty and had radiation prone. My fabulous RO showed me how it avoided my heart and lungs in the 25 prone rads and 5 boosts that I had on my back. Let us know how you made out. None of this is easy.

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  • rodeogirl
    rodeogirl Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2015

    thanks for replying everyone,They dont do the face down or hold your breath technique here where i live. My scan showed that 20% of my heart would recieve radiation as well as my lung, im sure they said 20 gray of radiation would get 20% of my heart :( what the hell ) Because of the 13 nodes and full auxillery clearance i would also get ympahadema as i am alrady suffering sweling and numbness down arm and chest. I have been taking tamoxifen but have gone of it this week due to unstopping uterine pain and pain with sex this last two weeks, waiting for ultrasound now. before cancer i had no problems anywhere, this sux

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    I'm so sorry to hear that, Rodeogirl. It does suck.

    I don't know if it would do any good to talk with the RO again and stress your concerns about your heart and your lung and really push them on how they intend to minimize damage to those areas. It can't hurt to put them on notice that this IS important to you. Maybe a talk with your oncologist, too, could bring in some additional viewpoints and choices.

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