Should I stop radiation therapy if I'm having chest pain and breathing problems?

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MW

Community Member

2 months ago

I finished 4 weeks off Radiation and I don't think I will be able to complete any more because of side effects.I started having some pretty serious chest pain and swallowing issues and I already have some heart failure .My breast cancer is left sided and I am scheduled to have my port put in Feburary 10 on right side I told my radiation oncologist I needed a break because of pain in chest and other issues and I wanted to be sure i am feeling well when I have my port put in because I have Adrenal Insufficiency and it takes me longer to heal .He said ok I understand but look at my patient portal and he has me scheduled to take radiation the same day after they put my port in I was like no way can I do that.I also don't understand why he just keeps adding that week back on even after i told him I don't want to do because of chest pain and I know I wouldnt be able to Deep Inhalation Breath hold as this is what I must do to protect my heart and lungs.

4 comments

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Accepted Answer

This sounds like a really challenging situation with multiple health factors to balance. Treatment decisions, especially when experiencing concerning side effects, are deeply personal and should always involve close communication with the medical team. The chest pain and breathing difficulties mentioned deserve immediate attention from healthcare providers who can properly evaluate symptoms and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Many patients in this community have faced similar difficult decisions about continuing treatment when side effects become overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to feel frustrated when scheduling doesn't align with expressed concerns and needs.

3+ patients found this helpful

CA

Community Member

2 months ago

This sounds like a really challenging situation with multiple health factors to balance. Treatment decisions, especially when experiencing concerning side effects, are deeply personal and should always involve close communication with the medical team. The chest pain and breathing difficulties mentioned deserve immediate attention from healthcare providers who can properly evaluate symptoms and adjust treatment plans accordingly. Many patients in this community have faced similar difficult decisions about continuing treatment when side effects become overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to feel frustrated when scheduling doesn't align with expressed concerns and needs.

1

DT

Community Member

2 months ago

Stand your ground. Some radiologists just push through with “the plan” and my favorite “protocol”. They will also tell you more time off allows cancer cells that are remaining to regroup and attack again - like your cancer has a calendar. When you are done, you are done. Keep telling them and cancel your remaining appointments if that’s how you feel. I’m sure your oncologist will back you up. Stay strong. Sending lots of love and tons of hugs.

MW

Community Member

2 months ago

Thanks Denise T I will definitely let him know and by the way that's exactly what he said. I know this particular cancer center was calling someone in the hospital in Intensive care to see if they felt like coming over to get radiation.She had esphogostis so bad she couldn't swallow and they were giving her WBC and RBC and platelets transfusions everyday to get her levels back up to a ok level..and they were giving her intravenous antibiotics in case she had a infection because her WBC were so low but by the Grace of God and the remarkable doctor at hospital she was able to go home after seven days.I am grateful that we have Medical things like radiation and chemotherapy! But I think it should always be where the patient should be able to ask for less aggressive treatment if it just gets to be too much for the body and if she hadn't gone to the hospital that day because her blood pressure had dropped so low I am so glad she went to hospital.It should be about what the patient feels comfortable doing and not meeting a protocol.

RS

Community Member

2 months ago

Stand your ground-as a patient you have the right to consent or decline -

Should I stop radiation therapy if I'm having chest pain and breathing problems?

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