Had lumpectomy and 4 lymph nodes removed in January. Now starting radiotherapy on 31st March. Have been to,d that due to Covid and not wanting to have you in hospital 15 times I will be getting the 5 days of radiotherapy rather than the 15. Am a little worried by this as it is higher doses although apparently the amount given in total by the end of treatment is slightly less than having the 15 days. The consultant that rang me was talking as if I will have side effects, hot sore skin which may or may not need dressings as it may break out and also tiredness. That the side effects would peak two weeks after treatment completed and hopefully have subsided around 6 weeks post treatment.
Anyone else had experience of the 5 day treatment?
In answer to your question Jacster, I had my appointment with the radiologist yesterday and told her about the struggles I've been having making a decision about whether or not to have radiotherapy. She was very understanding of my dilemma and respected my wish to avoid having radiotherapy. She said that the features of the tumour that was removed indicated that there was a very low risk of the cancer returning, but that having radiotherapy would probably reduce that risk even further. I understood that whatever decision I made, I might later regret it. I have decided not to have any further treatment but to regularly check my breasts for lumps and have the yearly mammograms. I was advised to contact the breast institute if I had felt that something didn't feel right. I did have 2 lymph nodes removed and they were clear. I had been told that they were clear when they did an ultrasound scan but they removed them anyway. I guess they were erring on the side of caution.
My surgery went very well and I felt refreshed when the anaesthetic wore off. Best sleep I've had in ages 
Despite being a bit sore for the first couple of weeks the pain was manageable with very few pain killers. Best to take pain killers if you are in pain as it helps the healing process (I was told). Be vigilant with the exercises as this helps with regaining full range of movement. I've been incredibly well supported by health care professionals through every step along the way. They have been absolutely brilliant. I am also very grateful for the input of women on this forum. It has really helped to hear about the experience of others, even though their choices differ from my own. I would have definitely gone for radiotherapy had the risks of recurrence been higher.
I hope that your experience of surgery is as positive as mine and that you have a good recovery. I look forward to hearing from you again on this forum
its really good that you've got a cancer that usually "behaves itself." I guess that the surgeon will tell you afterwards the subgroup of cancers it falls into, whether there are any cancer cells in the margin or lymph nodes and whether there is any vascular invasion. It was the radiologist however that gave me the most in depth information, during my follow up appointment. The fact that I had to go to the radiotherapy department suggested that radiotherapy was what was intended for me. I think it's probably routine for everyone following breast cancer surgery as is taking a couple of lymph nodes during surgery. I'm pleased to hear that you're having good care. Try to stay positive. 
