Radiation after Mastectomy

Walden1 I was in a similar boat, though not exactly the same. I had chemo first, which shrunk the tumor by 95%. After surgery, one sentinel node (intramammary, not axillary) has isolated tumor cells in it. I was given the hard choice of whether or not to do radiation. After weeks of gathering information and praying, I decided to go ahead with radiation and will start tomorrow. I am planning on implant reconstruction so that makes things even more difficult. Despite all of the potential short and long term side effects, I decided I'd rather overkill than underkill my cancer. I'm 44 and the RO said that due to my young age and the fact that these tumor cells were still there after chemo, I should consider radiation. I want the peace of mind that will come from knowing I did everything I could do to never have to deal with this again. I couldn't stand the thought of looking my three daughters in the eye if it came back in a few years and telling them I stopped short because I just wanted treatment to be over. Not sure if that's helpful, but you're not alone! Have you made a decision yet?

I also had radiation (25) after double MX and both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemo. No positive nodes. But a large tumor, two types of cancer in the left breast, not a complete response to chemo. Having the radiation was insurance. I didn’t have reconstruction, making radiation less complicated, easier to tolerate. Other than having to show up five days a week, it was no big deal.

No lymphedema here. I did experience some hand swelling one day when I was hiking at altitude, which scared me silly. Even ”normal” people get that in the mountains. I bought trekking poles to use from that point on. That’s one way to keep arms elevated while walking/hiking.