After Radiation
Comments
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Hi, ladies. I am 3 months post rad and my nipple and surrounding area itch so bad that it is embarrassing. I find myself holding and rubbing my boob and then realize I'm in public. Yikes! Why is it they tell you it is not a SE of the rads? So many of us wouldn't be having it if it wasn't, right? Although I'm not happy we are having this, it is good to know I am not the only one. Are any of you on Anastrozole? Could it be a SE of that do you think?
Have a wonderful day...I'll try to remember to hold and rub only when alone
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I seriously question the words of "they" if "they" haven't had breast cancer. I don't know Anastrozole, but maybe it's more of a nerve ending process after surgery and rads. Our nerve edings get hammered through this process, and then go through their own process of healing. I'm 4 weeks out, and my rash comes and goes...and I'm using the most neutral topical I can...aloe. I find my self "adjusting" my bra everyone once in a while, and scratching too. I just refuse to look around to see if any one noticed!
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je1957 if the itch is under the skin in the tissue I would say it is nerves reconnecting. If it is an itch on the skin you may want to see a dermatologist and get something that will work to stop it. I was having an itch and then it turned into a rash so he gave me Kenalog .1% and it cleared up in 5 days.
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I'm on tamoxifen. After rads I had a lot of skin thickening, redness and around my nipples browning, thick skin which scaled off eventually. The skin around the nipples especially itched like crazy. I'm 9 months out of radiation and although the skin has almost returned to normal there is still occasional itching.
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Jo - Seems I have a number of sensations that come and go in my rad boob, def itchy inside on the side of the nipple toward my other boob and on the underside of my nipple. My nipple still looks in shock, don't know how else to describe it, sure doesn't look like the non rad one. It is crazy making when things come and go. I'm glad it's tolerable for you and that you're not feeling you need more meds for it. Probably time will help. That is so funny you said you will get groped! Do you know how often we are supposed to get bone & CT scans? I had them last year after my dx but before chemo and all were negative. This pain in my side makes me so worried that the chemo didn't work. Oh well, I will know more after my follow-up next week.
Granny - you sound pissed and I'm scared! I sure hope you're feeling better today and get some more answers and the bra problem. I think Jo is right to follow your therapist and dr advice, some of the info on the boards needs to be double checked with pros. Good luck at your follow-up today!! Sending you big hugs and lotsa love!
Sherry - Wow, that burning just sounds unbearable. I'm so sorry it got off the chart...I would have to do something too if mine gets worse. Pain is so awful and even though it's not fun to take more meds, sometimes you just have to. We sure have to balance quality of life with treatments. So you are having radiating burning and awful stabbing pains, your description of it being like an ice pic and knife in your boob sounds so painful. I definitely get the itchy inside and borders on burning and occasionally some real short zaps of pain here and there, but the real jabs only last split seconds, if that were all the time I'd be on some kind of pain med for sure. I'm glad it's giving you some relief.
GabbyCal - Thanks for posting the FAQ on radiation therapy. Very good info!
Chevy - You are so funny and I'm so glad you posted the info on lymphedema vs edema.
Ducky - I need that plaque too, so funny, "Give me patience Lord, but give it to me now" Thanks for sharing that! My fight comes and goes, lately be eve all the fight is gone and I just crash in bed, then in the AM with a little hot latte I feel more perky again. I definitely wonder sometimes if it's all worth it. I'm 53 and because of my family history was sort of expecting BC but I didn't think I'd get it until my late 50's or early 60's, like my mom who got in her early 60's. Then come to find out, my maternal grandma got it in her 40's! So at age 52 I got the dx. After the lump surgery, I seriously considered doing no more, as your immune system can fight off some cancer cells. I just kept thinking of my husband and family and I wanted to do all I could to be with them. We will all have to say good-bye sometime, but for now I just wanted more time with them. I feel better now that some of the shock is gone and I'm coming to terms with this a little better. I was cussing every four letter word and invented more of them for a while though, especially through chemo. I think that's how I fought was by spitting venom every day. It does all suck and I'm glad you got ahead with the scratch-offs - yeah!
Je1957 - I think it if needs itching or rubbing go for it, I sure wouldn't bother me. I'm sorry I don't know about Anastrazole.
GirlFriday - My RO made it clear that anything that comes up after 2 months out is definitely not related to rads, which I highly disagree, because what I have I'm 100% sure is caused by rads. He did say that my boob might get smaller and feel different, like more rubbery than the other. There was no mention of it getting hot and pink and swollen and itchy inside. So far it's bigger and like granny said, it's a cryin boob, sometimes it aches a little, but mostly it's just so itchy inside. Just feels NOT NORMAL. I try not to mess with it in public, but I have no shame while I'm driving to massage, press or itch!
Chabba - thanks for your input as you are further along than some of us...for me at 4.5 months out I keep wondering when it's just going to heal up finally, but I guess I just need patience. It does get so itchy inside, still quite pink and skin feels a bit thicker, the rad boob is just fuller and more dense than the non rad boob. Not exactly a matched set any more...was wondering if you could say where you went to get to get fitted for your bra...yesterday I actually tried wearing one of my old (normal) bras that I had taken the underwire out of. It felt awful, so I'm back in my sports bra or not wearing bra feels best when I'm at my computer anyway.
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Beans have you tried using ice packs. My boob was swollen as well and I cannot take Ibuprofen and Aleve so they gave me celebrex and I used Ice packs morning and night for about a month and the swelling finally has gotten under control.
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Sherry - I think the ice packs are a great idea and I'm such a cold-phobe I just don't know if I could stand it. I should try as that is such a simple solution and I even have ice packs! Ah me, what a whimp I am!
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Beans it is not that bad. I wrapped my in a cloth diaper and kept it on for about 20 minutes while I watched TV.
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Beans - On the Bone & CT scans, I think that will differ by onc. I had both in Jan to try and find out what was causing the boob pain. I don't think I will have them on a regular basis. My onc does not believe in doing a lot of testing - doesn't feel scans, etc are needed every 6 months or so. However, he will not hesitate to order a test if he feels I need it. I would ask that question to your onc.
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Beanius.............I am 76, lost my husband when he was 57..............my life then revolved around my children.........so at 76 you would think, get the lumpectomy, and take your chances with the rest...........pray hard, and maybe, just maybe they will be answered...........you think......ok, my kids lost their father when they were at the age where they could really appreciate each other...........he did not live long enough to walk my youngest daughter down the aisle, which broke her heart, and mine........He saw only 9 of his eventually 18 grandchildren, and now 2 great grandaughters.....................so you think to yourself...............Could God possibly do this again to my kids, or can I fight this disease with everything available jus to get more years out of life then their father got.......................I felt robbed when he died, and though "life was over" for me too, but my children, and the love of my grandchildren raised me up, and out of the sorrow I felt...................do I still miss him 19 years later..........Lord yes, do I wish he was here, absolutely, could I use his comforting words now telling me everything will be ok, yes there are days when I do need him.................but I have the wonderful children he left behind,
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Ducky you made me cry with the love you have for your husband.
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Ducky - me too, made tears come to my eyes, what a beautiful story and thanks for sharing! It reminds me of my mom too, she had BC which she kicked but years later she got ovarian. We kids and her husband didn't want to lose her so we begged her to do all she could. We love our mommies and daddies, and spouses, it is so hard to lose them. My daddy's BD is tomorrow, he lived to be 93, but we lost him in '09 and lost mom in '96. I miss them every day and was so glad to still have my dad after my mom passed. I'm sure your kids and grandkids are happy you are doing all you can to stick around.
Sherry - now that is smart to wrap something around it! Last year when I had all these surgeries they gave me these ice packs and just stuck them in my bra. I think I could handle it better wrapped up. Thanks for another great solution.
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Ducky....Beautiful post girl!!! No matter how old we are, we will still always fight, for our lives, for the rest of our family! And even after our Husbands do pass on, it still must take the life out of the wives. It takes an awful lot, to move beyond that terrible pain..... My Sister-in-law, lost my Brother-in-law 3 years ago, & she is still in mourning....I think that's a little MUCH, but that's just her way of dealing with life I guess. For you to pick yourself up, is so inspirational to me....I'm proud to know you!
Yes, Beans! Princess Kantalope scares us all when she gets on a toot! No matter what I say, she pretends she doesn't listen....Let's just get her some Valium, & put her to sleep, Ha! We have so MUCH to live for....We CAN'T keep focusing on stuff that keeps getting us down....I sure as hell would love to hear without my hearing-aids, but I can't do anything about THAT....So I should cherish the times I take them out, to listen to nothing....just quiet sounds..... What can you do? Except just accept it, & go on.
Hi Sherri & Jo! Have you had your WHACK'S for today? Here goes!!! WHACK! And again!
Je1957 & GirlFriday! Are you guys new? Sorry you are still having those problems! Just stick around here awhile, & if we can't help you, we'll drive you nuts, ha! What does Je1957 mean? We got married in 1957, & had a '57 Chevy for years.... Beautiful memories for me!
Hi Chabba! Do you live near San Francisco, or further up the coast? My folks lived in Richmond for years....I love that area!
Love you guys! Have a fun day! xoxoxoxoxo
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Hi, Chevyboy - I'm not new...I read a lot (almost everyday) and post very very rarely unless I have a question or comment. I was born in 1957 - I always say great year for women and cars!
And you guys would never drive me nuts...I get a kick out of all the funny posts.
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Ducky - Such a lovely and heartfelt story - brought tears to my tears - thanks for sharing.
Chevy - Come out, come out where ever you are. WHACK WHACK
Kantalope - You need to come out of hiding too - miss you.
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je1957 - I'm a 57 chevy myself! LOL! You're right a great year for women and cars!
chevy - you make me smile, love the pic, so pretty...don't look now...WHACK WHACK WHACK...gotcha!
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je1957 - Please post more often - you don't need to have a question or anything. Sometimes we just get wild and crazy and the more the merrier.
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Who needs a WHACK!!!!
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Sherry - YOU DO - WHACK WHACK!!!!!! GOTCHA
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Well yeah Jo! You do too! Ha! WHACK....and a little whack! xoxoxoxo0
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Chevyboy - Now be nice - NOT!!! WHACK WHACK!!!!!!!!!! Off to a dinner meeting - will be back later. Since I am going to be gone - here is another one more good measure - this will be a little whack. hehehe xoxoxoxoxo0
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Chevyboy - I live on the Washington coast directly west of Olympia, the state capitol.
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Dear Chabba - WHACK WHACH WHACK!!! Gotcha!!
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Ouch, you got my arm just as I threw my bowling ball!
WHACK, did that wake you up?
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Beans - Looks like you need a WHACK! Chabba - Here is one for you too - WHACK 0
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You had better hide little Jo! WHACK back atcha! Ha, ha! Oh, I see Chabba & Beans! You know what THAT means! Whack! Smoof! Splat!!!
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Hard to sleep when you're getting pillow whacks. Here's back at you all! WHACK, WHACK, WHACK, WHACK, WHACK.
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Seems I missed the pillow fit last night.
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No Sherry, it started this morning! So there! Whack! Poof!0
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Sherry - I was feeling all sorry for you that you thought you missed the pillow fight, but guess what? WHACK WHACK WHACK!!! I gotcha and looks like Chevy did too!!!
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