How Long After Surgery Did You Have Radiation?

Two weeks seems a bit too soon to me. The planning appointment is generally when imaging, etc. is done to map out your radiation paths. It requires being able to hold your arm over your head which may be uncomfortable if you're only 2 weeks out from surgery. (If you had any nodes removed that area around the axilla is likely going to be both tight -do your post-surgery exercises! - and very, very sensitive for a while.) Now, a simple consult with the radiation oncologist at the 2 week point shouldn't be a problem but it doesn't sound like that's what she's talking about.

I didn't start radiation until about 6-7 weeks after my surgery but that was primarily due to needing to make a decision about chemo.

It was my understanding that delaying the start of radiation up to 8 weeks post surgery wasn't a problem. However, that was 7 years ago and protocols may have changed in the interim.

Good luck.

Hi, Macdebbie -

Sleeping with the pillow as you are is a good idea - I did that for a LONG time afterwards. If you do any yoga or Pilates floor work you'll probably find it helpful then, too.

I had a link to a PDF from my surgeon's office to a extensive post-surgery advice & exercises but can't find it at the moment. I'll keep looking for it.

In the meantime, the video below is pretty good and includes some of what you've been doing, so you're definitely on the right track. One exercise it doesn't mention is 'wall walking.' Just stand in front of a wall, about 1 ft. away and walk your fingers up the wall. Try to go a bit farther each time. Hitting resistance is good but pain is not!

Re: the axilla - I found the incision, etc., itched terribly but that running something that's extremely soft over the area, or wearing something very soft, helped a lot.

I hope this helps and I hope you're doing better each day. It's tough to wait so long for the Oncotype but it sounds as though your results will bring good news. I'm crossing my fingers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPw2Me1jUCc

I had my surgery on July 19 (2019) and then started the radiation (proton) Sept 30 of that same year. I didn't want to rush things and wanted to get well healed. I was also in the process of signing up for Medicare so that I could get the proton radiation covered and needed the "I'm officially on Medicare now" to come through.

I didn't get an oncotype because I also had a 3 mm tumor. There was no quibble about chemo, because they would never do it for a 3 mm tumor. It has to be 5 mm and up, is my understanding. I am very grateful it was that small. It was found hiding in what I thought was only DCIS. It was distressing to find out I was now stage 1A, but I know it could have been so much worse.