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Caroline UK · 04-24-2007, 09:10 AM

Tricia

Sorry to hear your news. I wrote you a long-ish message last week pre- your op, but we had a virus on our computer and it was lost, but I've been thinking of you.

My situation is different to yours but you asked about radiation, so I thought I'd just reply to that part.
I had 6 out of 20 nodes involved. I was given radiotherapy to the chest wall and supra-clavicular (neck) node area, 25 sessions. I'm fair-skinned and tend to burn easily in the sun, but only had mild redness and tenderness towards the end. I did get fatigued, and what worked really well for me was friends took it in turns to take me to the hospital every day. That helped a lot.

My radiotherapist decided not to irradiate under my arm. She said that recent studies have shown that it does not seem to improve the outlook, and because it increases the risk of developing lymphodoema she doesn't do it. This is what she felt was right for me, with my stage and grade, and obviously may or may not be right for you.

Best wishes to you and your family
Caroline

04-24-2007, 09:10 AM	#9
Caroline UK Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 96	Tricia Sorry to hear your news. I wrote you a long-ish message last week pre- your op, but we had a virus on our computer and it was lost, but I've been thinking of you. My situation is different to yours but you asked about radiation, so I thought I'd just reply to that part. I had 6 out of 20 nodes involved. I was given radiotherapy to the chest wall and supra-clavicular (neck) node area, 25 sessions. I'm fair-skinned and tend to burn easily in the sun, but only had mild redness and tenderness towards the end. I did get fatigued, and what worked really well for me was friends took it in turns to take me to the hospital every day. That helped a lot. My radiotherapist decided not to irradiate under my arm. She said that recent studies have shown that it does not seem to improve the outlook, and because it increases the risk of developing lymphodoema she doesn't do it. This is what she felt was right for me, with my stage and grade, and obviously may or may not be right for you. Best wishes to you and your family Caroline __________________ Caroline Diag. March 10th 2006, aged 46. Invasive ductal carcinoma, 2cm + multifocal. Stage 2, Grade 3 HER2+++, ER+/PR+ Right mast. May 2006. 6 of 20 nodes positive FEC x 4, taxotere x 4; port implanted after 6 cycles Rads x 25 1 year of Herceptin ended Nov 07. Arimidex 5 years Considering reconstruction, maybe soon...