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After Radiation

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  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 849

    Hi everyone! I've off the board for a little while, so busy at work, DD home from college, DH busy at work, I'm volunteering again...whew....

    Kcmatthews, so sorry to hear about your friend.  I lost my cousin to adrenal cancer two years ago she was 41 and it was swift and quick - she at mets to liver, lungs by the time they found it -I feel your pain and frustration.  I also feel your muscle and joint pain.  I started taking Krill oil and vitamins after chemo.  If I miss the krill oil I feel the difference especially in my joints.  Might be worth a try for you.

    Walley- I had chemo with a lady with anal cancer. She had rads and told me how she burned in her abdomen....praying for your friend.

    Grammie climbing in your pocket for this Wednesday.  I too have rib pain - still.  My RO had told me that people can break their ribs easier than usual even 6 months after rads.  

    So how bout this one - does anyone still get sharp pains in your radiated breast? I'm 7 months out and if I wear a bra with any kind of support seems I get shooting pains....and I can't hide the pain - it's like someone punched you.

    Also need prayers for a friend who's dad has been diagnosed with BC.  Cancer sucks all by itself, but the stigma with him getting this is making the battle that much harder, he doesn't want anyone to know.  

  • Vicks1960
    Vicks1960 Member Posts: 393

    Sagina

    When I asked my RO about the sharp breast pain, he said it most likely is the nerves repairing themselves from the damage done to them during the surgery.  

    It is my understanding that nerves can take a year or longer to heal...

    Just a thought.

    Good Luck

    Vickie

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    Does anyone have little bumps or growths that have come since RADS?

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    mammalou--i found a dry spot near my stomach at night.I put some alo oil on it and forgot about it.The next morning after my shower it turned darker.This has happened before bc.so i ignored it until you brought it up...lots of my friends get it too.but we are (older)lol.

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    My bumps are on my breast, which is what nags at me.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    You know if it nags at you what to do......the body talks right?...GO HAVE IT CHECKED....

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    I'm so tired of all my worries being nothing, so I don't even want to ask about them. Bad, I know.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    I hear ya sista..THANK GOD all those worries are nothing,,,I know exactly how you feel but if it keeps on nagging on you/me we gotta do what we gotta do...and you know what that means...right????the friggin white coat......

    And this dum dum thought we are done..last stop...yah right!!!!!!!!

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    I am beginning to think that I will never be done.  I went for my 1 year mammo on other breast and they found a lump.  Geez, give me a break.  Now I'm waiting for an appointment with the surgeon to see what to do about it.  I have to say that I am not nearly as stressed and anxiety ridden as I was the first time around 1 year ago.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    mamalou I would have the spots checked out.  I will be praying for you.  The same thing happened to me on my yearly mammo and US found a lump in my so called good breast.  It ended up bieng B9 but had to have surgery to remove it as MO did not want it left in.  I was alot more level headed this time around but emotionally I think it took a toll on me.  Keep us posted.

    Gina I'll be praying for your friends Dad.  I know there is a thread for men on here maybe your friend could get her Dad to join in and get some support.

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    Yes, I know what you mean about it taking a toll.  I was depressed all last week, but as soon as I got the appointment, I started feeling better.  I think I just don't have any reserves at this point.  I think I'm hoping they want to just take it out.  My other breast was full of ADH, ALH, fibroadenomas, and about 3 other benign things along with IDC and DCIS, so I'm not real hopeful that this breast is free of trouble.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    mammallou - Just shut the front door - AGAIN???   Damn girl.  I am keeping my fingers crossed it is a benign cyst.  At least you know so much more now - still once is enough.  Please keep us posted.

  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 9,646
    Sor tired of all the "bullshit"..........................that's it...........Cry
  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Last stop!!!!!Everyone off this damn train!!!!!!

    someone once posted Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop why not put that shoe on and dance.BULL!!!!!!

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743

    mammalou praying for b9 results

    i too still have sharp pains in radiated breast.  I was told that could take awhile to heal. 

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Mammalou I am praying for GREAT results..

    I think we all are trying to get off this train... I finally put my foot down and said enough is enough - it got me my pain management appt - Getting a little nervous about tomorrow - hope doc is a good one...

    Oh BTW I will be in your pocket Mammalou if you jump in mine tomorrow and next week - My first mammo since surgery is next week - with all the pain I'm having, I'm not looking forward to it... I will talk to the pain doc tomorrow and see what suggestions he has... I am also open to your suggestions ladies about how to bear it..

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600
    Gma, I really dreaded that first one too.  Especially since they had always squeezed me till it hurt and then cranked it again.  Now they are very gentle--on both breasts.  I was about to mention the BC and ask for consideration when she mentioned it, proof that she had at least read my chart, or has a good memory.  Wink
  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600
    Gma, I really dreaded that first one too.  Especially since they had always squeezed me till it hurt and then cranked it again.  Now they are very gentle--on both breasts.  I was about to mention the BC and ask for consideration when she mentioned it, proof that she had at least read my chart, or has a good memory.  Wink
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    Gma some take pain pills right before.  I did not but asked my tech to be very easy on me.  She did my bad boob first and was super gentle then did my good one. Good luck at the pain doctor hope you get some relief.

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    Thank you for your support ladies. Wait and worry seems to be the way it goes. Sometimes I wonder why this has all been so traumatizing. I don't get to go to the BS until 1/23 and I had to demand that or it would have been feb. Don't they know what our minds are thinking? I'm rambling now. Sorry.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545

    GMA - I also dreaded that first one.  The tech I had has worked with BC patients in the past and I have to say this was the easiest mammo I ever had.  She was able to crank down the machine to the level she needed for views and it did not hurt at all.  Will be with you tomorrow for your pain management appt.  I am also seeing a pain specialist.  This should not be part of the bc package.  

    BC - the gift that keeps on giving - and I still can not find the return line - LOL! 

  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 293

    Gma: I will be in your pocket for sure! Good luck!

  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 455

    My mammo in November did not hurt a bit!  I go to a cancer center now, so I think they are so much more aware of hurting patients. 

    Gma: best of luck to you!

    Susan

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Thank you all for making me feel more at ease about the mammo - and thank you all for jumping in my pocket today - 6 hours to go before appointment and we are having a horrible storm today - BTW my sunroom/office leak is back - drip drip drip - since 4 am!  We have been fighting this leak for 4 years and last year we THOUGHT  we had it fixed - guess not.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    Gma I'm in your pocket.  I hate those roof leaks.  I had one and we kept repairing and thought we had it fixed then it would rain and it was not fixed.  Finally had to get a new roof.

  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 509

    GmaFoley:  I had my first post BC mammogram two weeks ago.  The mammogram on the left breast that had the cancer definitely felt more uncomfortable than the right breast, but still it was only discomfort--not pain.  Of course, I got called back for a diagnostci mammogram on the right breast and that drove my anxiety level through the roof.  Thank God, it was a false alarm and I am fine.  I am hoping that your mammogram and your sunroom roof will both be fine.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    I finally found out that all techs are not created equal.....really and truly they are not.

    ya gtta get one with a heart....good luck sista.im prayin you get a good one.

    hugggggggs K

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

     Well, thank you LadiesSmile! The pain management doc I went to today was awesome.. He actually listened to me and TALKED to ME....He is upping my gabapentin and thinks it is all nerve pain issues from radiation..He also sent me to a compound pharmacy with a prescription for a lidocaine + cream they have to mix... He said that should help all the pain around the breast... It won't be ready until tomorrow some time but found out that they are inexpensive and easy on my budget... I think it is like $22 without insurance... I thank the Lord for giving me the courage to stand up to my docs and insist on going to a pain management doc.  He is also sending me to get an x-ray of my neck - to check my arthritis... I haven't had an x-ray in 7+ years.  But I can also use the cream on my neck... 

    As far as the leak goes - the storm got worse and I have 5 bins out in the doorway... At least it is all dripping in the bins.  Can't do much about this one until the rain stops.. When they put the upstairs windows in,(the ppl before us), they didn't flash them correctly, so when it rains from the south, it pours down the window frame and lands in the doorway downstairs Undecided.

     Love you all an wish me luck with my first higher dose of gabapentin tonight!

  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 504

    GmaFoley...I'm glad that you like your new pain doctor! Hopefully, the new cream will do the trick.

    We have leaks in our house too...yesterday was crazy. The driving rain had rain leaking through the frames of two of our windows. We must have the same flashing issues that got worse after we had new siding put on our house. The contractor doesn't seem to know how to fix it, so we have to find someone else to see if they can. Maddening!

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    Gma glad you had a great visit with the new Dr.  I have found the pain managment Dr to be wonderful. 

    Hope you gals get the roof leaks fixed.