Hi all.
Newbie here.
Got to be honest, not a place I ever wanted to come but I guess that is the same for all of us.
I was diagnosed with a form of sarcoma in September with a lump on my chest wall/ ribs.
I had two ribs removed in October, which wasn't ideal, but it worked thanks to the wonderful team at the Golden Jubilee.
Also had a lattisimus flap done as part of the reconstruction.
I was advised that I may need some follow up treatment.
At the Beatson last week and they said they are 85% happy that the tumour won't return in the area that was treated but if I have 6 weeks of radiotherapy then they would be 90% happy that it wouldn't return.
The consultant then reeled off a series of short and long term complications that may/ may not occur and asked me what I wanted to do.
My head is still spinning.
Is the 5% upside better than the possible downsides?
Friends and family, while supportive, all say it is a decision only I can make.
I still don't know and I have to inform them of my decision on Thursday.
Can I ask what other members experience after radiotherapy has been, long and short term, do they regret having it and has anyone decided against having it?
Thanks in advance.
John
Hi John, I’m Tony one of the Community Champions, I’m pleased to see you have come through the major part of your treatment and now, I picked up your enquiry as I have been through RT for Oesophagus cancer so am aware of after effects, it is tiring to say the least I was fine until my 32nd dose and then it really hit me for lack of energy etc, I understand to combat some of that you need to keep well hydrated unfortunately my suborn side didn’t allow me to do that !
I had a choice with my first cancer – Laryngectomy – voicebox removal- and asked the odds and in my case for that the RT could have undone the surgery in some ways as to the damage it can do to the tissue inside and I vitally wanted to ensure my special voice arrangement wasn’t disrupted in any way so decided against, I have since learned from my Consultant that she wasn’t too worried by my decision as it hadn’t got into any lymph nodes she had missed
Perhaps that’s the question you should ask along with any of your other concerns, I’m hoping that others who have had your cancer and did have RT come on to give you their experiences, the following link is Radiotherapy Treatment information
Hope either way everything goes well, Take care
Tony
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Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
