HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Input requested for radiation after mastectomy and lymphodema

jaykay · 02-24-2013, 09:00 AM

Hi,

I have one more TCH to go (yippee) and of course another 9 months or so of herceptin.

I need to start looking into radiation treatments since I had 1 sentinel node positive and a surprise little tumor near the major tumor. Right breast.

My question and concern revolves around the possibility of lymphodema. I know that in the grand scheme of things (cancer), it is secondary, but it really concerns me that my right arm could be seriously affected since they will be zapping my lymphs. Also, if you've had a mastectomy, what do they end up zapping in addition to the underarm lymphs?

I am very much interested in any experiences or hints that helped you with your course of rads. Had it on my left breast after lumpectomy 13 years ago and really skated through with aloe Vera gel. Minor skin irritation.

I'm just trying to get some information so I can meet with the radiation oncologist with a bit of information from real people and not just studies.

Thanks in advance

Janis

02-24-2013, 09:00 AM	#1
jaykay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 646	Input requested for radiation after mastectomy and lymphodema Hi, I have one more TCH to go (yippee) and of course another 9 months or so of herceptin. I need to start looking into radiation treatments since I had 1 sentinel node positive and a surprise little tumor near the major tumor. Right breast. My question and concern revolves around the possibility of lymphodema. I know that in the grand scheme of things (cancer), it is secondary, but it really concerns me that my right arm could be seriously affected since they will be zapping my lymphs. Also, if you've had a mastectomy, what do they end up zapping in addition to the underarm lymphs? I am very much interested in any experiences or hints that helped you with your course of rads. Had it on my left breast after lumpectomy 13 years ago and really skated through with aloe Vera gel. Minor skin irritation. I'm just trying to get some information so I can meet with the radiation oncologist with a bit of information from real people and not just studies. Thanks in advance Janis __________________ March, 2000: 48, Post menopausal (5 yrs HRT) Left breast, IDC 3mm/DCIS 1.6cm, ER+/PR-/Her2+++, mod differentiated, MIB low, lumpectomy, node neg via SNB, rads=33 Stage 1a June, 2000: Tamox 4.5 years,Femara for 5 years (end in Jan. 2010) Sept, 2012: 61, Via mamm, ultrasound, biopsy, right breast, 2.3cm tumor, ER+/PR-/Her2+++, poorly diff, KI67 60-70% BRCA 1 and 2 negative October, 2012: Bi Mast with tissue expanders, port placement Final Path: IDC 2.8cm, DCIS, 1/4 sentinal nodes positive (@#$%). Stage IIB Nov 29, 2012: Begin TCH/6x/every 3 wks, H for 1 year/every 3 weeks. March 14, 2013: Finished chemo April 9, 2013: Begin radiation 28x May 22, 2013: Finished rads June 1st, 2013: Started Aromasin for 5 yrs. July 15, 2013: Switched to Letrozole (Femara). Probably for the rest of my life October 16, 2013: Exchange surgery October 31, 2013: Finished Herceptin December 5, 2013: Port removed Glad this year is over!