Coronavirus and Radiation

Laimezieds
Laimezieds Member Posts: 2
edited April 2020 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all, I was diagnosed with DCIS and had lumpectomy on Jan 22. Now supposed to start 4 weeks of radiation on March 24th to reduce risks of recurrence (was told my 10 year risk was 21% without radiation, and 8% with radiation). Just so worried about risks of coronavirus now (I'm 64, hubby is 67). Should I forego radiation or would it be of value a few months from now? Waiting to hear back from my doctor. Anyone in similar situation? Sending good thoughts to all and thanks for any feedback!!

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  • kaylie57410
    kaylie57410 Member Posts: 127
    edited March 2020

    Welcome! I know there is a window in which radiation should start after surgical treatment for best preventative effect-You could check with your careteam about that .not sure Corona is a factor here as long as you follow the CDC guidelines--so much conflicting info right now-best to you on this journey none of us ever wanted to embark on- I went thru 33 rad treatments just fine with only some mild skin inflammation that cleared within 2 weeks of completing course-best to you--and hugs too,Kaylie

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  • walkingmydestiny
    walkingmydestiny Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2020

    Laimezieds, I went in yesterday to get marked for my 3 weeks of radiation and long story short the radiolosgist told me about a Canadian study for women that had low grade, low growth breast cancer can for go radiation safely for 20 weeks....

    He felt with the virus going around and women having to go into a hospital might not be the best thing to do. He really felt it would be ok to forgo the treatment for the 20 weeks in hopes the virus will not be so bad by June my new date. How ever I will have to start my hormone pill and take it during the 20 weeks waiting, if I can not take the pill or any of the pills I am to reschedule and go thru the radiation.

    I choose to wait. I did find the study online about the Canadian study. I am ok with the wait. I was IDC stage 1A and Grade 1 tumor 1.5 no nodes, clear margins. I had my Lumpectomy on Feb. 10th.

    Ask your radiologist about the study. I am not to crazy about going anywhere right now much less 3 weeks of radiation that can compromise my health during this virus that seems to take the people that are compromise health wise.

    I will post below what he wrote in my paper work.

    image

    image

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  • walkingmydestiny
    walkingmydestiny Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2020

    I am having trouble trying to paste the info from my visit yesterday I WILL keep trying.

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  • walkingmydestiny
    walkingmydestiny Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2020

    Laimezieds, I will type what he wrote as I can not figure out how to copy and paste on this site, its difficult.

    Instructions: It was good to meet with you today. You have a low risk left breast cancer completely cleared with surgery with two negative nodes. Standard further treatment would be 3 weeks of left breast radiation and 5 years of hormone pill. Because of the COVID and data that we can safely delay start of radiation to 20 weeks post-surgery, we will plan to have you start the hormone pill then follow up here in early June to reassess. Please let us know if you cannot take the hormone pill for some reason, and we will consider starting your treatment sooner. Please let us know if Dr. jjjjjjjj does not yet want you to start the hormone pill. Please call with any concerns in the meantime.

    The above is what he wrote. good luck. I am 63 1/2 years old.

    https://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/no-adverse-effects-rt-delay-after-surgery
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  • walkingmydestiny
    walkingmydestiny Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2020

    Laimezieds, I will type what he wrote as I can not figure out how to copy and paste on this site, its difficult.

    Instructions: It was good to meet with you today. You have a low risk left breast cancer completely cleared with surgery with two negative nodes. Standard further treatment would be 3 weeks of left breast radiation and 5 years of hormone pill. Because of the COVID and data that we can safely delay start of radiation to 20 weeks post-surgery, we will plan to have you start the hormone pill then follow up here in early June to reassess. Please let us know if you cannot take the hormone pill for some reason, and we will consider starting your treatment sooner. Please let us know if Dr. jjjjjjjj does not yet want you to start the hormone pill. Please call with any concerns in the meantime.

    The above is what he wrote. good luck.

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  • callmeCookies
    callmeCookies Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2020

    Encouraging, thanks. My setup appointment is next week, and I'm wondering what will happen. Radiation is not in a hospital for me. BS already cancelled appointments (had a re-check scheduled for Monday). He's in his late 60s, so not a bad plan. Also we save $84 and a trip outside, lol.

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  • Floral
    Floral Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2020

    I'm in a similar situation. Starting on 3/30, I had my surgery the day after you did. My worry is that I will get the virus and have to stop radiation and that this will make it less effective.

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  • Laimezieds
    Laimezieds Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2020

    Hi, I'm the original poster in this thread, and wanted to give an update. Thanks to all who have replied. For me, I've decided to do the radiation (just finished day 4 of 20), and have decided to maintain some extra safeguards which may sound like too much for some, but it is what I've chosen. My radiation oncology center is a separate facility, not in a hospital. They have arranged things so we do not need to sit in a waiting room, and if I need to wait for my turn, I just stand rather than sit anywhere. I am choosing to wear gloves and an N95 face mask for the whole visit, and upon returning home, I strip and take a shower right away. I worry for hubby who is older and we are isolating mostly at home ( the kitchen part is the hardest). I even decided to skip the dressing room and changing into a gown, they are letting me just come into the treatment room, take off my shirt and pull down the bodysuit I'm wearing (not even wearing a bra to keep it easy). I just bring a small plastic bag with me for my shirt, leaving my purse at home. This saves me from touching the door in and out of the changing room. So I may look or sound silly, but at 64, I don't really care. So ironic for someone who normally would never leave my house without full makeup, etc!! Hugs and all the best to everyone!!

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  • Darlene63
    Darlene63 Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2020

    I was diagnosed 2/28/2020 and had lumpectomy and node dissection; my radiation is on hold because of the COVID 19. I started hormonal therapy last week.

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  • Darlene63
    Darlene63 Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2020

    Yep that is what my radiation oncologist said wait till June; I did start the hormonal therapy last week. I am irritated because no one (doctors) are not being very helpful. My oncologist who started my hormonal therapy saw me on a stupid phone call visit. And he charged my insurance.

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  • toria1212
    toria1212 Member Posts: 136
    edited April 2020

    Thank you all.

    This is helpful to read. I was diagnosed on 3/19. My lumpectomy is scheduled for May 11, but I live in Michigan, outside of Detroit about 40 miles but the hospital I will be receiving services at has been quite affected by covid. I did begin Arimidex last week, starting out every other day recommended by some of the ladies here. I was petrified to take it but am doing well, other than this and that minor stuff so far. I have tended to be focusing/distracted/obsessed with the virus as my 29 year old type 1 diabetic son is staying here since his layoff, and I have three other kids(two teens, one grown) at home as well. Trying mightily to keep our household healthy. We had pizza rolls for dinner last night, I am loathe to go out to the groceries/any specialty food stores so we are surviving on what we have.

    I pray my surgery and subsequent care is not delayed because of covid. I feel for all of us who have had to navigate this diagnosis during such a chaotic time in history.

    (((hugs))) and prayers to everyone,

    xx


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