I was diagnosed in Nov 2012 with DCIS - non-invasive stage 0 cancer. I had a lumpectomy Jan 4, 2013 and just completed my first week of radiation. I have decided not to continue with treatment. When I went for my yearly mammogram in Nov. , I was told I needed an ultrasound for a suspicious spot and then immediatly had a biopsy. the doctors were so excited to have caught my cancer so early - stating this is what mammograms where made to catch - they told me they probably got the cancer with the biopsy. I then got a phone call stating yes it is DCIS - stage 0, non-aggressive, won't spread anywhere, 100% treatable - BUT a surgeon may want to clean up the area. After surgery, I was referred to a radiologist who said I now needed 33 radiation treatments. I asked about side effects which the doctor said would be "sunburn like skin changes" and I would probably get some fatigue towards the end of treatment. Well, on the third day i noticed breast soreness which I asked about and they said it was probably from the surgery. On the fifth treatment, the soreness was worse, and when I mentioned this to the technician he was surprised but suggested I get meds from the nurse.
I don't feel I need this radiation, and am so worried about damage to my heart and lungs. I am not continueing this treatment and am so relieved that I have made this decision. I am so glad to have found this post by ANONYMOUS - your post helped me tremendously!! Thank you! and I wonder if you are still on this site as the date of your post is August 13, 2010... and I am writing this on April 6, 2013!! PLEASE REPLY!! I wonder how you are doing???
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I was diagnosed in Nov 2012 with DCIS - non-invasive stage 0 cancer. I had a lumpectomy Jan 4, 2013 and just completed my first week of radiation. I have decided not to continue with treatment. When I went for my yearly mammogram in Nov. , I was told I needed an ultrasound for a suspicious spot and then immediatly had a biopsy. the doctors were so excited to have caught my cancer so early - stating this is what mammograms where made to catch - they told me they probably got the cancer with the biopsy. I then got a phone call stating yes it is DCIS - stage 0, non-aggressive, won't spread anywhere, 100% treatable - BUT a surgeon may want to clean up the area. After surgery, I was referred to a radiologist who said I now needed 33 radiation treatments. I asked about side effects which the doctor said would be "sunburn like skin changes" and I would probably get some fatigue towards the end of treatment. Well, on the third day i noticed breast soreness which I asked about and they said it was probably from the surgery. On the fifth treatment, the soreness was worse, and when I mentioned this to the technician he was surprised but suggested I get meds from the nurse.
April 6, 2013 - 5:43pmI don't feel I need this radiation, and am so worried about damage to my heart and lungs. I am not continueing this treatment and am so relieved that I have made this decision. I am so glad to have found this post by ANONYMOUS - your post helped me tremendously!! Thank you! and I wonder if you are still on this site as the date of your post is August 13, 2010... and I am writing this on April 6, 2013!! PLEASE REPLY!! I wonder how you are doing???
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