Question on Rads - local or all over?

[Erin]

Well, I have just finished my 3rd round of TCH and as usual I am getting way ahead of myself :-) I am thinking of the radiation and what might be best. I understand that sometimes the whole breast is irradiated and sometimes it is targeted to the area of the tumor. Does anyone have any info?

I had a very deep tumor with a positive margin on the side that was against the chest wall, due to no more breast tissue being behind it. I have several concerns: will targeted radiation be better for the positive margin? And, what about the after effects of the radiation on the breast?

Not to be too blunt about it, but my husband and I are very fond of my breasts (lol). Even with my very small breasts, (one of which is significantly smaller now and with a big scar), we still like them :-) I really dread the idea of a big decrease in sensation or the hardening of the skin that I hear about. I know, I know.....I do care more about getting rid of this horrible thing than anything else, but still, if I have options, I would rather not surrender anymore of myself (or my sexuality) to it. Sorry if this sounds shallow, but our love life is very important to us. My husband will love me no matter what, I know that. But, I would miss it. Ladies, any ideas? Stats?

Thanks again for being here!

[Margerie]

Erin, I can't answer your targeted radiation question, as I had a mastectomy. But I did have pretty extensive radiation to chest wall (and axilla and collar bone area) and then had reconstruction. I will say I was burned to a crispy crisp! I did chemo and rads together- harder to heal. But anyway, my skin made almost a complete comback one year later. I just have a little tan line, no scarring or thickening. I put aquaphor cream (it feels like vaseline, keeps the moisture in) on the radiated tissue every day- and still do.

You have to make sure you wear lots of sunscreen- I get a little red on the left collarbone even with it. We live in CA- so lots of beach and boating for us!

I love my new breasts- it's not shameful to love and enjoy them! Best of luck!

Margerie

[Melinda]

It sounds as tho you made it thru the 3rd round relatively well, and that is terrific! Let me know how things have been with the third round... I am facing #3 on the 12th.;(
I had mammosite radiation prior to chemo. You may be eligilbe for that. ITs a 5 day twice a day program where a balloon is tinserted into the breast. IT is important to have clean magins but I am not sure about the tissue near your chest wall . It does require another incision, but heals quickly. I do have some hardening todate but notice that it is diminishing as the days go by. There was NO external burning or discomfort. Just a bothersome tube for the five days of radiation that was secured by my bra and a little bit of tape.
Melinda

[Jean]

Hi Erin,

First of all you are not shallow at all - you sound perfectly healthy! It is so
good to continue to feel sexy and very much a vital and sexy woman.

I had the radiation after my surgery two part the breast area and then just the bed where the tumor was...it was a boost treatment, had six of them
and 28 of the breast radiaiton treatment. It went very well for me. My breast did get a little swollen which went down at about 2-3 wks after treatment.
The feel of my skin did not change and the breast feels just like it did
pior to treatment. I did have a tan on the area and the boost area
had a crispy patch which just fell off naturally in the shower and there was
fresh skin underneath. Don't panic...it will be just fine...you and husband
will have many years to enjoy each other. I did apply the cream my
dr. gave me during treatment faithfully.

Sending hugs,
Jean