Radiation after mastectomy of left breast--fearful

kvogler · 12-15-2012, 07:02 PM

Looks like my oncologist is going to suggest radiation. I'm worried because I've had a mastectomy of the left breast and I'm worried about my heart. Anyone else a leftie out there who did well with radiation. Looking for some hope. Thanks.

europa · 12-15-2012, 07:49 PM

Hi there.
I had radiation on my left side. My heart was grazed by the laser each time and I'm fine (for now). My Radiology Oncologist told me that my chances of having heart issues in the future are about %5-%10 but that I could lower that by staying healthy and active. The only side effect I had was that my skin got red and a bit painful with my last 3 rounds. But within a week after I finished my skin was much much better. It's really not that bad. You'll do just fine.

lasarles · 12-15-2012, 09:50 PM

I also had 30 rads without any issues. They gave me a gel to use which I used faithfully twice daily during radiation. I asked for an extra one to carry in my purse and put it on immediately following treatments. The other one I kept at home and used at bedtime. After radiation ended they gave me a bunch of samples of aquaphor to use until the redness went away. Then they told me to use vitamin e oil, 12,000 i.u. As I said, I did this faithfully throughout and for about 4 weeks following. Thankfully I had absolutely no issues of anykind. Good luck to you and hoping it is as smooth sailing for you as it was for me.

sassy · 12-15-2012, 11:14 PM

Left mast over seven years ago and no issues. Talk to your Radiation Oncologist about your concerns so that you feel comfortable.

Most signficant side effect of my 33 radiation treatments was gradual fatigue as I went throught the process. Just be sure that you get enough rest.

Hang in there!

JennyB · 12-16-2012, 06:15 AM

I had left radiation no major issued but it sure was sore about 2 days after completion for about 2 weeks I used Paw paw cream and wish I had started at the beginning with it as it melted away my pain.

Good luck

Jenny

Paula O · 12-16-2012, 06:55 AM

I had 30 "aggresive" radiation treatments on the left side and was concerned about my heart and lungs too. I was also worried about radiation and chemo causing a different kind of cancer or destroying my remaining health eventually. I decided these were risks worth taking even though I sure didn't want to. I remember feeling like running out of those doctors offices and not coming back but I asked God to help me be brave and I want to live so I did what I needed to do.

My radiologist said it only would go down a level "like pancake thin". I did have a couple months of persistent severe coughing that was probably related to the radiation I was getting at the time. Because my back also got burned and itchy along with my front, I don't see how it only went down a "Pancake thin" level. However, so far so good so far --I seem to have made out OK. Chemo finished up for me last fall, radiation last winter, and Herceptin ended in June. I feel great, my faithful ticker and lungs are fine and I sure am hoping the cancer stays gone for good.

Bioteene and Silvadeen were very helpful for my radiation burns. I tried aloe vera then aquafer and other over the counter creams but they did not work well for me. It is important to not to use any cream or deoderant before any radiation treatments but to moisurize liberally afterwards (I did multiple times/day and showered before radiation to make sure it was all removed prior to treatment). Despite being very careful I did experience bad burning. On the day you go in "to get tatooed (just tiny dots) and marked with markers (you'll feel like a big map), wear a bra and shirt you don't care about. The marker on your skin stays on throughout radiation (they will touch up as needed) and stains fabric permanently. Through radiation treatment I used a couple of old camisoles that got ruined. A camisole was much more comfortable to me than a bra because of the burns.

I wish you the best!

Paula

jaykay · 12-16-2012, 07:04 AM

Had radiation on left breast after lumpectomy 12 years ago (33x). No ill effects on the heart at all. Used aloe gel religiously and crystal deodorant from Whole Foods. No problems at all.

A walk in the park (for me).

Sandra in GA · 12-16-2012, 09:53 AM

I had radiation following a double mastectomy because I had 21 positive nodes on the diseased side (left). I was very apprehensive because my left arm is my "work arm." I had polio as a small child that affected my right arm, so I have very limited use of it. I did not want to lose use of my left. After much research of all the side effects that could occur, I made a detailed list of questions for my radiation onc. After talking with her and accepting that I had had 21 POSITIVE nodes, I decided to go ahead. Being a nurse, I did decide I would apply ice immediately after each treatment alonw with the 99% Aloe she recommended. I had no burns. At the end of the treatment the onc and her nurse wanted to know what I had done to keep my skin looking so good.

On my scans now, there is a small amount of scaring in the upper lobe of my left lung. It causes me no problems. My heart was not affected. They will use mapping and shields to protect yours. Since my radiation followed my Taxol (was still receiving Herceptin and Tykerb), I started feeling better each week. It was only at the end of the treatments that I began to feel somewhat fatigued. It was no where as severe as the fatigue from the regulat chemo.

I wish you good luck. This treatment was one of the easier ones for me. I suggest you make a list of your questions and concerns and then be open to the answers you recieve. I am glad I did it.

Sandra