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After Radiation

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Comments

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    I can think of only one good thing about BC, a very good thing!  Without it I would have never met you and all of my other wonderful sisters on BCO!

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639

    chabba, that's very sweet. I went to 2nd opinon on my seroma yesterday. Female surgeon, perhaps not the best bedside manner but she said I don't do bullshit. Seromas happen it doesn't matter who the surgeon is. radiated breasts don't do well with further surgery as a rule. She offered to drain and bind tightly which we did but as she said it may or may not help. I'm willing to try this and if it doesn't work I'll live with it. Having people like you to vent to and talk with is a life saver. I would love to have a WA meet with our sisters here and Oregon.

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    ptdreamers, we have several in BC too though I'll admit I don't know as many of them nor do I know them as well as those of us in WA and OR.

  • MostlySew
    MostlySew Member Posts: 1,311

    Ptdreamers,

    Sounds like you got a pretty straight forward answer from that surgeon, even if not the one you wanted. It's pretty much the same answer I get down here (northern calif). Fingers crossed that the binding works for your seroma. Right now my PT is attempting to loosen up some of my very thick scar tissue. Hope she's successful by my next mammo!

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    ptdreamers - My surgeon says better out than in..She should be able to express it with a needle.  I would think that would be better than what is happening with me. I blew a small hole in my new lumpectomy scar - where the old radiated scar and the new scar meet.. It reminded me of breaking my water when I had my son.. It scared me so bad I went to ER - they basically said, "Let it leak" - I have blown that same hole again Sunday... So your Surgeon is correct... Old radiated skin doesn't heal well.. I still have my hole and am still leaking... Not sure when to go back to the doc and say I have had enough.. BTW - the surgeon thinks it must have been a seroma, but I do have lymphedema in that breast and when I walk or exercise in any form, I get a very sharp pain and then the hole breaks open... I personally think mine is lymphedema fluid..

  • ptdreamers
    ptdreamers Member Posts: 639

    GndmaFoley, It is the same fluid, lymph fluid I believe. At any rate hope for the both of us to heal. If mine forms again she is mentioning a drain but not thrilled with that idea because of the healin issue.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    Denis I had more numbness after rads.  I had a lumpectomy for a B9 issue and 14 years later turned to BC.  after 1st lumpectomy had slight numbness after BC lumpectomy and rads had total numbness in breast.  A year and 2 months later was still numb when I had my MX.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Hey!!!!!!whats goin on here?

    Everttime I go away this thread is soo quiet.

    Come on sistas....ya just gotta show up!!!!!!!

    Miss all you ya.

    huggggggggggggs Grannydukes

  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 195

    Hi Everyone,Hope you are all doing well.No posts I guess everyone is doing okay.Hi Grannydukes!

    Enjoy your weekend:)Cool

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    I'm not doing so hot ladies - ended up with a seroma that burst through the scar from my last lumpectomy in August... BS cauterized in on tuesday leaving me with an open wound... by thursday it got infected... the antibiotic ointment he ordered for me - i was allergic to  (I think- swelled the opening where I applied it and it is all red) - so I'm on a z-pak and feel like someone has used my breast as a punching bag.. Sorry to be so down... but I am not feeling good at all..

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    Gma - I am so sorry to hear that - sounds so uncomfortable!!  I hope the antibiotics start working quick and it heals up.  That really sucks.

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    Esther, Prayers that you heal and recover quickly!

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Thank you.. It hurts so bad but the breast skin isn't as red as it was. My DH said I need a depends bra..(.I leak bad yucky stuff) That made me laugh but it's not funny at the same time. I'm trying to stay positive.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Oh damn...GmaF....it will get betta,its gotta get betta.it betta get betta.....

    Why havnt you come here for support?????...you know we love and miss you...

    Just wanna give you a big hugggggggggggg.

    and please keep us posted....

  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 195

    GmaFoley

    sending a big hug for you ,makes me so sadCrySending prayer that you will feel better fast.

  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 1,767

    but the breast skin isn't as red as it was.


    Now there's a good sign!  Now hang onto that - one day at a time until you are much better.

    (((HUGS)))

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    How are you feeling today Gma?

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    On ipod can't type well. Hole is smaller..still yellow goo coming out. Taking pain meds. Guess one out of three is still good :)

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Question??? The hole is starting to get smaller but I am still leaking alot of yellow yuck and it hurts like you wouldn't believe (maybe you all do know how much that hurts)... Even though it looks like it is healing on the outside - can I be in trouble on the inside??? I have 2 more days on the z-pak.. just keep it cleaned out and keep up with the antibiotics???? Should I be calling the surgeon on Monday or can I wait until tuesday and give him a call??? I know that is really a stupid question, isn't it??

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600

    I'd call on Monday unless I developed a fever before then.  At the first sign of a fever I'd call urgent care of ER and describe the situation  and see what they say.  If the feaver came on fast and elevated fast I'd go straight to ER.  I have no medical training but I have always been told high fevers with infections are dangerous.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    I agree with Chabba.  Gma - I sure hope you feel better soon.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Today is Monday....GMAF---why dont you give the dr.a call?

    Always betta to be safe then sorry.

    Please let us know how you make out.

    Prayers going your way right now.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    Gma - How are you doin today?

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Called the doc - he is in surgery but nurse will relay the message - The hole is getting smaller but I am still dripping yellow goo and I'm still in pain. Last pill in the z-pac is this afternoon... I don't know what to say except the hole is getting smaller and I hope that is a good thing..really teary eyed and crying at everything today... Think I'm going to go into my LE therapist appt today - just to talk things through  and see what he thinks...

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Thinkin of you GRAM-E..prayin too.

    here is hopin that this is the end as you end that z pack...good luck

    huggggggggggs K

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    BS called back. Said no more antibiotics, let it leak, and see you next week.

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Let it leak and see you next week......wow...a man of many words.

    how you doin today?

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    Gma - How're you doing today?

  • gmafoley
    gmafoley Member Posts: 5,978

    Thank you for caring about me :-)  Hole is a little smaller but real red around the hole - the rest of the breast is swollen but the red rash is gone.. taking pain meds still... BS said it would take about 3 weeks to close the hole if it was going to close - 1 week to go....  I see him next week some time - forgot to make the appt.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    Gma - No fever right?