After Radiation
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Hi Mamalou,
Unfortunately, My pain management doc was the only one that would put a timeline on my nerve pain healing.. He told me 2+ years before things would settle down.. Actually finding out that this is the "Norm" for nerve healing, made me feel better.. NOW I know what to expect and not rush things. One day at a time.. step by step... with God by my side...
You all who mentioned PT - I would love to go to pt but can't afford it... my little bit of insurance is maxed out... any other suggestions. I just got the bill for the pain management doc $545 for initial visit, but hubby said he doesn't mind paying that one - at least HE HELPED ME!
Edit: The Pain Management Doc did suggest PT, but he knows funds are short..
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GMA--I suggest you investigate lymphadema as well...if you have it, then it is not too hard to fix in a short period of time. Any therapists at your cancer center? Surprised no one mentioned it to you...
Truebff-sounds like you had a great experience! One question for you---the technique they used on your scar, does it help to make the scarring go away? I've been thinking about looking into laser treatments for my scar since it is pretty high on my breast and can be seen when I wear a bathing suit or summer tops. I had a serom so the area around where it was is pretty wide and still red. After i work on the scar, I might investigat what they can do about lifting my other breast to match the radiated one. Starting to feel lopsided as well!
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mammalou - I finished Rads about the same time as you and I've got the spider veins too. Mine aren't so little though. I read somewhere that this is a fairly uncommon SE from rads and they don't go away over time. Sorry to say, if you get them, you've got them.
My MO confirmed this at my last visit.
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gma,
I would suggest you find a good recommended physical therapist and then call and see if you can go in with your husband and have a therapy session/teaching session.
(Get your recommendation from nurses or other bc patients - ask at your support group or attend one and ask , as they usually are very good at sharing good information- I would suggest only going to another woman as they know what breasts and surrounding tissue feels like and it would also probably be more comfortable for both you and your husband working with a woman. The PT I was recommended to -by a RO nurse who had had breast cancer- had a 2-1/2 month wait. I almost took another non-breast PT to get in sooner, but then intuition kicked in and I waited for the recommended one and now VERY glad I did.)
My husband told me ahead of going that he would like to attend so he can learn how to massage me correctly for my healing at home, if needed. (We did this with a chiropractor a few years ago so my husband would know how to help me stretch out a neck problem and it really helps to have someone teach/coach your partner by showing them and walking them through. And, of course, you can't see what the therapist is doing when you are on your back or side, so it may be tricky trying to "explain it."
I have only gone once so far and already this appointment was worth its weight in gold. I have six more appt. scheduled and am very grateful the insurance is paying for this. It is so healing! But even ONE appt. has shifted me in the right direction.
Hope that helps. Please let us know what you come up with. We can brainstorm together here is you need more creative options too!
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SusanHG,
My own incision scars are looking pretty clean - I am a pretty good healer though - my chief ongoing complaint about that area has been the tightness and loss of range of movement and pain.
The PT decided on her own to use the light (cold laser) therapy and the silicone patch and said they will help. The massage she did broke up that scar tissue too - even in one session, it is already smoother and more natural feeling. I have heard a number of women say that PT really improved both the feel and the look of their incisions while also helping enormously with the pain and tightness. And also, there is fat grafting,
I also consulted (an experienced PS) about fat grafting in my scar area. I have small breasts. He also thought that PT might help so much that I might not choose to have it, but either way we will re-consult on that in three months when my skin is more healed. (They have to wait depending on how badly you might have burned. I was pretty badly burned.) He thinks it would help with any remaining scar or imbalances both, so I am a good candidate for this. However, I am also cautious about extra surgeries, so will think long and hard.
(Again, %%^^%*$%#*, I had to research and ASK for that PS/fat-grafting consult too. It's like no one will point the ways or, worse, they don't know.)
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truebff you are so right that no one seems to steer you in the right direction. You have to ask and ask. I guess that is why I have love BCO so much because there is so much information here that I would never have thought about.
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Sherry,
Yes, this forum, the awesome ladies here, is a Godsend. An impressive sisterhood and a place to share and learn. I too am so glad and grateful for this place and everyone here.
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thanks for the advice, truebff. I have been doing PT since radiation and it has definitely helped my tightness and my lymphadema. Physical therapists are the best. It is so amazing what they can do!
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Ok get this.went for my checkup with BS.Now when I had the edema she did not make any issue of it.I asked her for the PT.she said just OK.Today when i took off my bra she said OH I CAN SEE WHERE YOU HAD THE EDEMA....what????you never saw it before?I just nodded my head cause i almost choked her.So i told her i know i can live with this larger breast.its fine.no pain.all she said as before is watch your intake of salt and wear a comfortable bra.see you after your mammo in sept.
ok.so i guess i got good news.right?
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granny I saw this on another thread, laughed and thought about us here!
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Thanks Gina for the laugh! I really like the Inner Cockroach one... Wish the made blouses - I can't wear t-shirts unless they are super baggy.. Still in tank-top shelf bra t-s for bras.
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granny anytime they don't find more cancer is a good Dr's appoitment.
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Grammie: I'm the one who did the shirts. I am her2+ metasticized to the liver and I was thinking all those things. A graphic artist friend designed 'em, I just had the sayings. Thanks for the tip on fitting. There's a wide neck sweatshirt that might work. But I also just set up tote bags with the fun stuff for folks who might have to wear loose items. I'll be there soon hopefully when I get my bilateral mastectomy.
The cockroach one comes from my cousin who had two aortic aneurysm and a staph infection and survived all three at 60. I joked he was like a cockroach, nothing would kill him. I plan to be a cockroach right along with him. I will survive. And so will you. :-)
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THANKS GRITGIRL! Those are fantastic shirts & bags. Love them!
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went for my 6 mo followup mammo yesterday. I started getting alarmed when the tech told he they needed more pictures. SHe said "don't worry", they always take alot of film the first time after surgery. Well, today the doctor's office called and they want to biopsy the left breast. Last time it was the right one - dcis. I had a lumpectomey with 6 weeks of radiation. I am freaking out. I can't stop crying!!!
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fhar451, I am sorry you have to go through another biopsy so soon after BC. I will be praying for you and sending you hugs. I hope you get good news on the biopsy results.
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fh451 , Sorry this happening. Good luck on the biopsy.
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Fhar---im soo sorry.bc suks.I wish you the very best.
Ok sistas we need a group huggggggggggggggggggggggg.
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fhar451 so sorry you are having to go through the biopsy thing again. Remember that 80% are B9. I had the same thing happen at my one year mammo after surgery. Found a lump in my other breast and had to have a lumpectomy. My MO wanted it out as it was a solid mass. Anyway it was B9 but my nerves were a mess. I'll be praying for B9
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fhar451: hoping and praying for good results for you...I know you feel terrible right now, but I guess you can be thankful that they are being proactive about it. Think B9!!!!
HUUUGGGEE HUUUGGG to you...
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sigh, PTDreamers, what a healing photograph.
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fhar451- They are also especially careful with breast cancer survivors and any 'little thing' that shows up, they check...this is them being thorough. You have every right to cry, to feel freaked out...let it out...and know that they are being careful with you to ensure that you are healthy....we are here....sending snowy Canadian hugs your way...
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fhar451 - I am so sorry you have to do this again. Praying for good results.
PTDreamers - Thanks for sharing the pic - it is so cute and comforting.
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Fhar451~I'm sorry too. There isn't anything I can say to make you feel better, so I'll join the group hug too, and climb in your pocket as they say here, for your test.
I'm having my thyroid biopsied March 12th, cause I like needles in weird places....not.
I'm 8 months out of radiation and NOW my ribs hurt???? I'm sore like I was in treatment, where I can't quite lay on my side in bed or move a certain way, I am so tender to the touch....any one else?
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Gina-not having rib pain per se, but a week or two ago, my bra was on too tight and along my breast bone I started to hurt, but it is more on the opposite side. I have been having major reflux issues (I have GERD) so it could be from that. Or maybe a combination of the reflux under the radiated area.
I am taking Prilosec for a little while to see if it gets better. Not bad, just something that caught my attention. I didn't remeber feeling it a few days before when I did my breast exam, and I am pretty brutal with my breast exams. I'm sure you all can relate!!
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fhar, big hugs!!!
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Gina----sista/friend....why dont you go to the dr?it could be nothing but it should be checked.you should not be in pain in your rib cage.please go!!!0
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I have a follow up scheduled shortly....It's a tender, bruise like pain when touched. I was warned it could happen.....but on another board a lady told me it could be truncal LE. I'll focus on this if it still hurts after my thyroid biopsy in a couple of weeks.
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Gina---if its truncal LE ya gotta take care of it ASAP.The one thing i know about LE is it doesnt go away...please go on the I HATE LE.thread.Kara and Binney are the best and they can help you with this.
your gonna wait a couple of weeks????????
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Truncal LE could explain my problem! I already have it
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