radiation for breast cancer

[Guest guest]

I am 47 years old and have just finished 4 rounds of chemo, a bilateral

mastectomy, and 4 more rounds of chemo. I am slated to begin radiation in three

weeks, but am beginning to wonder if this is a good idea considering what I have

heard and read regarding both the short and long-term side effects of radiation

i.e. - other cancers particularly lung and skin (in the irradiated area);

permanent lymphodema, permanent joint pain. In addition to this, I have had a

great deal of trouble getting the side where the cancer was present to heal. (I

had immediate reconstruction with expanders for future implants.) My plastic

surgeon is indicating that she feels I have lost so much skin in the sutured

area, that the additional radiation effects on the skin will result in my

needing a tram flap. Also, the increased incidence of infection concerns me as

I am already fighting this in the sutured area. I would like to get any

feedback from anyone out there who has had radiation for breast cancer -

particularly if it was a number of years ago. Please write to:

gablesgal

 

Thanks so much!

 

JM Swanger