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My Dr. has been suggesting radiation for my next step. I have been resistant for several reasons. I would like to know what to expect beyond what is on the papers to read, and reputable sites that have information (Mayo Clinic etc) My main concern/question is heart damage that could occur years after treatment. I am not getting specific answers as to what kind of damage and how severe it may be. I know there are no definite answers, but I need more than 'it could happen', like what could happen? I did have the radiation consult, did like the Dr. my Dr. selected for me and if we do this will go with him. Thanks ☺

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Are they aiming the radiation near your heart?

If not I do not think that should be a big concern for you.

I had radiation and as far as I know I do not have any long term problems from it.

I do have some neuropathy from Cisplatin but I am also nearly a 17 yr survivor so should I complain?

Keep us posted on your decision.

 

Donna   G

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Thanks ☺ I saw my Dr. this past Monday, Nov 10. The x-ray showed reduction in tumor size, so am very thankful! It is in the upper lobe near the heart. He said we could try another drug, but the ones he would recommend would cause hair loss, which is a real trigger for me. Even so, he still recommends radiation as he feels that is our best shot. I am not handling it well. He is brilliant at what he does, so am trying to trust him while still working on educating myself. What my head tells me is not what they are telling me so am trying to sort out what misconceptions I have with what they are telling me. I go next Friday (Nov 21) for the measuring appointment. I do like the radiation oncologist my Dr. picked out for me as well as his nurse so am comfortable with them as I had the consult about three weeks ago.

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My sister is on week three of radiation and it seems to be okay thus far. Although I didn't have lung cancer I had breast cancer in 2008 so I had radiation to that breast and then it spread to my sternum and I had radiation to the middle of my chest last summer and I have absolutely no heart trouble whatsoever.  They are usually pretty much able to aim those radiation beams precisely to the area of the cancer.  I would pretty much do whatever it takes to save your life. 

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chem does different things in most folks.... Deb went through multiple Chemos with no hair loss... she was on chemo number 4 or 5 before ehr hair fell out... Got her a wig after that..... good luck and keep us posted!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Here are some responses to your post we received within our Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/lcaware/10154878671780635/?notif_t=group_comment):

 

Lysa Buonanno It's important to know all the potential side effects. Unfortunately my Dr says "radiation is the gift that keeps on giving." Meaning you may have long term side effects that appear many years later. I guess it depends on your goals and your overall health. For me personally, I still have a daughter to raise so I need to buy as much time as possible. For me it's about surviving right now. I can't worry about 10 years from now, even though I do, if I didn't do my radiation I might not be here now. It's a tough decision. I pray you find the right one for you

 

A Brewster Smythe I recently read about the Cleveland Clinic's Cardio-Oncology Departments ideas about the relationship between cancer treatments and heart damage- I was able to download a free ebook concerning these isssues. You might want to go to this site:http://my.clevelandclinic.org/.../departm.../cardio-oncology

 

Laura Harrington The worst side effect I have received from rad to my lung is the scar tissue that is left behind, it has taken several months for the soreness and pain to be minimual. They also had be do 10 rads of preventitve to the brain now that one I will never let them do again.

 

Jennifer Surles My husband is in ICU on a ventilator right now and they believe it is due in part to radiation pneumonitis which he got during treatment. Normally it doesn't occur until one to six months after treatment. He's not expected to make it so make sure you know ALL of the possibilities going in

 

Heather Hanusiak Hogan I agree with Lysa Buonanno and Laura Harrington. After 25 treatments, I have scar tissue that gives me a lot of indigestion and causes me to be short of breath at times.(I've also had my bottom right lobe removed.) This is tough enough but I wasn't ready to risk not doing it but that's just my opinion.

 

G Alan Rader There are choices of radiation equipment, CyberKnife is still state of the art in targeting and minimal collateral damage. Higher dose, way fewer treatments.

 

Laura Harrington There has been wide success rate with Proton Rad, its expensive and a new center is openings in 2016 in Dallas. But there are others I hope you read about it.

 

Bernardine Johnson I went radiation treatments. I have minimal. muscle soreness, scar tisse in my lung, esophagus, and heart. I have some indestion

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