Radiotherapy… do I really need it?

Hi. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience today. What was awful about it? 

I got chatting to a lady on the chemo ward who was having treatment for the second time in her life and I’ll never forget her saying to me, take everything they offer. 

I’ve got my initial app tomorrow (not the scan). 

I always find the men gentler and more pleasant than the ladies. That’s in all aspects of nursing and care. 
I would say the benefits far out weigh the side effects. There are side effects and consequences to every choice we make. Radiotherapy is there to ensure it doesn’t come back. 
Think how you would feel if BC came back and you didn’t have it? 
As for being wiped out ,I think we get ourselves so wound up about these things, when they are over we are worn out. 

I had my 5 sessions, the last one being 2 weeks ago. The sessions themselves are quick and painless.  By the last one-the fatigue kicked in, although i carried on working throughout-and since. 

Im still fatigued, but manageable and my boob is a bit sore inside again, but I religiously apply the flamigel given (and now aloe vera gel) and my skin is fine. 

I just wanted to do everything i could to stop this beggar coming back. I was level 2 IDC, very hormone + and HER- with no lymph nodes affected. Had lumpectomy and then a bit more clearance  xxx

I had 15 sessions over 3 weeks (weekends off).

If you and your clinical team think radiotherapy is best please don’t let fear of the procedure put you off having it.

I found the planning session more complex than the actual treatment,  With the treatment sessions all you have to do is lay still and breathe as instructed, the first one might be a bit daunting but once you’ve done it the next time should be easier. 

if you’re worried let the staff know, I had male and female radiographers, and found them all kind and sympathetic. 

Thank you all for such detailed, kind and thoughtful replies. Sadly I’m no closer to making a decision albeit I have decided to decline hormone therapies and feel happy with that decision. Just got to figure out the risk/benefit of radiotherapy now. Good luck to you all and thank you for not judging my indecision 

Hi Poached eggs,  

I was in your shoes after the radiotherapy planning session, honestly I had myself in such a panic for the 2 weeks leading up to my treatment.   But after the 1st “real” radiotherapy session I realised I had “over thought” everything.  In reality (for me), the radiotherapy sessions themselves were a breeze.  I had both male and female radiotherapists but usually a mix of the same faces as at a previous session and they were all so friendly, I never felt embarrassed.

The after effects, have again, not been as bad as I had built them up to be beforehand .  
Yes, I have suffered from quite a few of the listed side effects, but I am dealing with them and I try not to dwell on them.  (I keep telling myself, “it’s for a greater good”).

Would I do radiotherapy again ?  Yes, I definitely would,  (But maybe that’s only because my experience hasn’t been that bad).

It’s entirely your decision.  Only you can work out what is best for you.  No one can, or will, judge you, because we have all walked the same path.

I start radiotherapy on 1 September. Like you I was undecided, lumpectomy with clear margins and no lymph node involvement, they did initially want me to have chemo, then lumpectomy, then radiotherapy but I refused the chemo, rightly or wrongly I’m sure I’ll eventually find out. I am happy with my decision though and have been ok after lumpectomy, no issues or side effects from surgery and hopefully won’t have any with radiotherapy. You have to do what is right for you good luck  

Further to my earlier message, I am now 3 weeks after the end of my RT.  Soreness in boob wore off about 5 days ago, and the fatigue has almost gone.  Boob is fine, no skin after effects, there was a bit of a lump by my scar after the RT, but that has now vanished.  I have been religious about putting on the gel and will continue to so so for a while yet.

Hope that helps, as often threads on here are when things dont go well. X

Great answer,  like you I do find an awful lot of negative things on this site which I appreciate if people are worried or need reassurance they come in here. I am determined to post positive things