Susie and I are having a pretty tough time ATM, she's really struggling to breathe, low O2 so she can't really move. Weve come into hospital again and they have said they will do some radiotherapy to the chest, windpipe, bronchial area to try to reduce tumor and relieve symptoms. Treatment today, Monday and Tuesday, then on to Royal Marsden fir SRS for brain mets Wednesday Thursday and Friday (tough week on Susie).
This scared me as I've heard quite a lot of bad effects of this treatment. We don't have any real choice I think, it's that or nothing.
Chemo isn't working (progression on Carboplatin and Herceptin so stopped that now). We are are being told to stop chemo for a bit but we know there is nothing controlling the liver and spleen, even if we are trying to stop the central area of the chest and brain.
Any experience of radiation in the chest area (how was it, did it work, any bad side affects, anything to help reduce them?) Would be greatly appreciated as always.
Thank you lovely ladies (and the occasional chap!)
Leo and Susie Payne
XXX, ❤️
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Winner123
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Hi, Leo. Sorry to hear Susie (and you) are having such a rough time of it right now. I have no experience with lungs area so no advice to offer. Just wanted you to know I often think of you guys and remember you in kind thoughts and prayer. Tough week but hoping treatment gives Susie relief and y'all can get home to the children.
Thank you Manon, that's very kind of you. She's just this min gone in for her first treatment so fingers crossed for symptom relief without too many side effects. XXX ♥️
Leo, My husband and I will hold hands for/with you and Susie tonight, and send Love and Light from our hearts to yours. We have never met, but we are united in a way that is beyond my understanding. Holding you dearly . Thank You for keeping us posted.Here is another couple that shares the journey....
Thank you dear caregiver. Reading your post, I will be easier on my husband tonight, for you carry so much with and for us, and when I cannot feel my appreciation enough, it is good to ready your words and realize how much you and my guy does..
Hang in there. It is when you are at your lowest point that u come out from the treatment and feel better. I don't have any experience with that drug treatment but I am sure it will get better. All we really can do is hope anyway.
I had radiation to my chest during my original dx. It was a quick and easy treatment. For me, the side effects were terrible fatigue and redness of skin. The radiologist suggested Aveeno cream to be put on chest daily. Really helped!
That's great, thank you. Susie has used the cream straight away, front and back so we hope that keeps that dude effect at bay. She's always tired anyway so hopefully we won't notice any difference! Bed time at 7pm is par for the course in our house, adults and kids! 😂 ♥️
Leo I am so sorry to hear Susie is having such a tough fight.She is lucky to have such a loving and supportive partner to help her through this.
I don’t know anything about radiation to the chest, but it is very specific and targeted today so less burning. Weakness and fatigue are the main side effects of any radiation, and it gets worse before it gets better.
I had 10 radiation treatments to my chest, just left of center. It was for the tumor that helped me get the MBC diagnosis. I was coughing a lot and it hurt to breathe, the radiation was to shrink the tumor to help with that. It was painless until the rad rash. That was treated with some cream. About a year later is when the side effects started. The area is tender to the touch and I experience a little bit of pain when sneezing or coughing. It's all tolerable. I just didn't realize I would have side effects so long after the treatment. A friend once told me that radiation is the gift that keeps on giving. I get it now.
Thank you for that. At this rate, we will be very lucky to see a year 😔. Did it help with your breathing at all? That's why we've had it done, she's bloody miserable and she can't breathe, so can't walk and we can't do anything. She can only get about in the wheelchair with oxygen, it's no life at all. X ♥️
Hi Winner 123, I had radiation treatments to my chest. It was like a bad sunburn. I cant remember what they gave me...I have to find my journal....but it was like saline solution and gauze pads and i would saturate the gauze pad in the solution and i actually felt the heat coming from my body breast and the gauze pad was warm after that I had a terrible itch. I used Cortizone 10 for 3 weeks...with no resolve. I called nurse Prac and she called in a script for a small tube of cream and in a day or two the extreme itching had stopped. I was very tired as well...but retired and was able to sleep whenever.
My heart goes out to you, your wife, and your 2 children. I just read this post, and I will continue to pray even more fervently for a newer more promising treatment. I know you, and your wife are fighting to kick c's a--, GOD forgive me, but I know you understand. May the GOD we serve( Jehovah Rapha) hear this prayer Amen!!! I send many many virtual hugs to your family. I know right now it seem's easier said than done, but Keep up the fight 🙏🌈🙏🌈💕
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