Please tell me what to expect

Hi,
   I've just been informed that I had a Stage 1 encapsulated cancer.It has been removed and the doctors are reccomending radiation(preventative) for 6 or 8 weeks.(I was so stunned I don't remember exactly what he said).I have an appointment this evening to get the specifics,but I want to walk in educated.Exactly how is radiation done and how often(approximately)?I'm sure there are some variables.Also,what medications might they suggest?I'd like to be able to research pros and cons so I can make the right decision for me to prevent recurrence.He said I'd feel tired and a bit sick,but nothing like chemo.I'm 42,a mother of 6,and have always been anemic-which he said would have to be monitored.I carry the trait for thalissemia through my Italian grandmother.I'm busy,healthy and want to stay that way,but I seem to have this desperate need to know how this works.Thank you in advance
                                       Pattie

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Pattie, What they are going to discuss is adjuvant treatment which is treatment given after surgery to try to prevent or minimize the growth of microscopic deposits of tumor cells that might grow into a recurrent tumor.  There are different options available, and recommendations for adjuvant treatment are based on factors such as the tumor size, lymph node status (positive or negative for cancer), and estrogen receptor status.  Decisions about what treatment option to go for will be ultimately up to you.  Tonite when going for your appointment if possible have someone accompany you to take notes, and be a second set of ears.  Some people take a tape recorder so that they can replay some of the conversation and hear the information again.  

To answer your question regarding radiation therapy, it is usually given once a day, five days a week for the recommended number of doses.  The initial planning session and mapping of the radiation will take more time, but the daily treatments are usually about 5 minutes.  Most centers will try to work with you for a daily schedule that will work with your schedule.

There may be a recommendation for hormone therapy or chemotherapy and that discussion usually happens with an oncologist, who would discuss the reasons for recommending either treatment.  You do not have to make up your mind about treatment immediately, so think of tonight as an opportunity for information gathering, hearing the recommendations, as well as, the risks and benefits.  Ask for any written information that might be available that is pertinent to making your decision.

[healthcareguerilla]

Take a tape recorder. It will help you. Have you gotten any other opinions as yet? That is your option. Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book helped me, but I'm sure you know you'll get all sorts of information via the interent by searching for "breast cancer", and also for your specific diagnosis. I was looking at www.nccn.org  today. That's the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. It sounds like the cancer was removed. You will find out, this evening, what type of cells were found, so you can best judge how much time you want to take before deciding on a course of action. By the way, if you don't own a tape recorder or can't afford one, the nice Literacy people at the library loaned me the use of one...just make sure it works well...one of the tapes sounds like it was recorded on Pluto...Do you have anyone who can come in to help with the kids so you can get rest? Or for today, for starters, so you can do what you need to do. Or, is this the time to let them show you how well they can take care of themselves? I hope your visit tonight lends some sense of things.