Pipestril 

I would have a long chat with oncology as the left side I had , the breathing technique you have to use is hard work , however if you do decide to have it I couldn't do the breathing so they re programmed so I didn't have to do it the olanning session I done it fine like a breeze but when it came to the first session I couldn't do it this delayed things and it got me uptight ,I hope you decide and feel reassured in whichever you decide it's your body your mind you make the decision that's right for you lovely 

good luck love Lara ️

Hi lara, yes very recent talk with oncologist, I have had months to practice the breathing technique  & can do this & hold breath for 45 seconds.  The problem is not knowing the damage that might be caused within the rib cage to my ONLY whole lung! No one can say & Damage would  be extremely  detrimental to my life as have 30 minutes  walk to bus now. Only I can decide. Perhaps I'll toss a coin. Chin up soldier on damage may not appear for several months. 

Lara we can always depend on you for an answer.do you have lung damage following radiotherapy?

Pips 

happy you have practised the breathing and can do it , I also could do this easily with practise and at planning but at my actual appointment I couldn't do any of it it's like I went stiff and had a panick sort of thing where I just couldn't do it maybe it was nerves or sometbing , but after my appointment I tried this again on the BAPS app I could easily do it but at hospital I couldn't gif some reason I'm a strange one maybe lol 

hood luck though I hope you decide what's best for you good luck lovely 

love Lara ️

Hi Pipestril,

This is quite a quandry for you. What type of breast cancer do you have and what stage is it? Some cancers are more aggressive than others and the chances of recurence with this is possibly greater.

I had a rare form, called pure mucinous. This is one of the less aggressive types and it was stage 1. I discovered a lump in my other breast, which my surgeon wouldn't investigate, so I refused to have radiotherapy. My reasoning was that there was no point in treating one breast whilst ignoring the other. After a lumpectomy, my pathology results showed that the surgeon hadn't achieved clear margins. The surgeon told me that he realised this and had taken more away at the time of surgery. He said that there was no need for another operation. I took Tamoxifen for 1 year.

I must say that I was not convinced by his reassurance, especially when I found another lump in the same breast a year later. This was the same type of cancer and still stage 1. This time I had a double mastectomy, followed by Letrozole for 6 and a half years. I was still being advised to have rasiotherapy at this stage and consulted with two expert researchers in radiotherapy. One was all for it, on the basis that I might as well give it a try, but the other said that there was no point in having it, if it was any more than 3 months after surgery. He was able to back up this theory and was much more convincing overall. As a result of this, I never had radiotherapy. I was 61 at the time and that was 13 years ago.

Unfortunately, this is a question that only you can answer and you have to be able to live with the decision you make. I sincerely hope that you reach the right one for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Jolamine thankyou for a very informed reply.  Wonderful you have had 13 years after first commencing on this journey. Surgeon says  stage 2. Oncologist says stage 1 grade 2. So there abouts. So many patients they ? Made slight error. But both agree & say after surgery I am cancer free. At which point I now wonder why have the radiation. You are not the first to say after 3 months no point. Surgery December 22. Awaiting CT scan told May. So perhaps Radiotherapy  will be late May. Tumour was 20 mm by 26 mm estrogen ++. Her -ve . 

Thinking I will not have Radiotherapy & will contact both MacMillan nurse & Oncologist this week, waiting lists are long & let another patient get my slot. Thankyou so much have a long & happy life. Pip

Thanks lara, I do understand, as I nearly bolted from surgery. A sudden panic not like me at all. I had worked there & walked others to that very spot in theatre, a sudden memory of a previous time made me shake, hesitate could have run. Luckily door swung open 3 people smiling encouraging me there. Honest in my heart I wanted to run. At  12 year old no fear innocently faced it all, just hated being so long in hospital.  Now I can't face the possibility of more lung damage. Life should be enjoyed. I don't want to find I am gasping for breath 3 months later.  Sorry & thanks pip

Hi Pipestril,

What type of breast cancer do you have? This is probably the most important consideration, as radiotherapy would pssibly make a big difference if you have a more aggressive type of cancer? As far asI understand it will zap any micro changes in the surrounding area, which could cause the cancer to reoccur. Don't rush your decision. It is so difficult to weigh up quality of life versus quantity, but it is well worth doing.

I'm always here if you want to discuss this any further.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, I'm due to have radiotherapy more than three months after my surgery and have several reservations. Can I please ask if you remember what study your second expert found in his research about treatment being less effectiive beyond that time period? I'd be grateful. 

Hi Enid,

A very warm welcome to our forum

Unfortunately, I cannot remember - that was nearly 14 years ago and I'm sure that there are more recent studies by now. Have you asked your consultant for studies? As I said, one researcher was quite willing to go ahead. I had much more faith in the second expert, but maybe that was because I was leaning towards not having it by that stage?

How soon are you due to start radiotherapy? Please keep in touch and remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx