Seeking Experiences: Stage 1 Breast Cancer Treatment and Side Effects

I had the same in December 2023 Radiation was fine just very fatigued. Hormone blockers are the worst for me as they leave me aching all over. All my best

How many radiation sessions did you have?

How was recovery after oncoplasty?

Wendy, I had little pain from the oncoplasty. I was very surprised. The incision for lymph node biopsy hurt more than anything but not terrible.

I had 16 radiation sessions with little problems (apply lotion immediately) and my lymph nodes removed (2) were the worse of the surgery. A year later I have a hard area (fluid) about the size of a quarter (I’m told it’s common with earlier breast reductions) that responds to massage. I hope all goes well.

M Jane W: Where did you obtain your lumpectomy/oncoplasty? Did the surgery go well?Trying to find a place to do this since our surgeons here do not. I have the same diagnosis as you. Since they do not do that procedure here their treatment of choice is a masectomy with a silicone implant. My body will reject that implant do to my over reactive immune status.

My surgery went great. I have some cording and a small pocket of fluid but that is from lymph node removal. I had it done in Tallahassee, FL.

This is such a common treatment path for early-stage invasive lobular carcinoma, and many community members have shared their experiences with radiation therapy and hormone therapy combinations. The treatment approach sounds very standard for this type of diagnosis, and hopefully others will chime in with their specific experiences with different radiation schedules and hormone blocking medications to help give you a better sense of what to expect.