After Radiation
Comments
-
Sandee I am beginning to think my tanned looking skin will never go away. My RO said it should fade like a regular tan. My regular tans fade really quickly that is one reason I don't bother any longer and this is not fading quickly at all.
Debrox as the others have said it is a very personal decision. My lump was on the left side not that I think that really matters much. I am very faired skin and very small breasted. I am not very attached to my breast. My surgeon did not tell me that I had a choice of lump and rads or MX and no rads. If I had it to do over again I would choose MX and no rads. I ended up with nerve damage and am going to have a MX to deal with the pain anyway. If you are having cording that would be a big concern to me. I do not know if rads would make it worse but it seems logical that it would aggrivate it.
0 -
Sherry- it will fade....mine is fading and I am very fair skinned as well...we have to remind ourselves ( I think) that rads were less than a year ago...gift that keeps giving...I am noticing my tattoed dots more lately..not sure if it is because the tan is fading and I can see them more or because my boob is shrinking and I can see around it to my rib cage! In any case, we are all healing..it takes time...it will get better, I am certain
0 -
DebRox, I know how difficult these decisions can be, but yes, as everyone is saying, it is very personal, if I were to give you my opinion, I would need more information, but you need to make the decision. I had a lumpectomy and rads on my left side. My mom had a MX on her left side, and is very proud of herself for making that decision and not having rads. She had that done when she was 65 and now she is 90 and is more active than me. She is still driving everyday to play cards and has a more active life than ever. She is glad she is rid of the fear of recurrence. My aunt had a MX two times, at 66 and is now 89 and very proud that she is without boobs! Her husband said she doen't need them. He loves her, not her boobs! Of course now days, we have reconstruction. What I am saying in a nutshell, all these ladies are right, very personal decision. LOTs of LUCK and I will pray your decision becomes clear soon.0
-
Since this is the after rads thread, I would like to ask: Anyone getting very dry skin, all over? And...
I am breaking out with little bumps here and there, mostly chest area, both sides. I don't think it is shingles, as that is painful. This is only itchy... 0 -
hi stage one. my mo just told me last week to make sure i'm still using a very good moisturizer. perhaps it's chemopause causing the dry skin? I had "breakouts" like a teenager on my chest, I thought it was just my pissed off hair follicles. lol
0 -
I didn't have a choice about Rads. Since I was Triple Negative I was told lumpectomy or mastectomy, either way I was having Rads. It is protocol for Triple Negatives at least in this part of the country. Even though I have some lingering after effects that I believe is mild nerve damage (not enough to medicate for...yet) I would do Rads again because for me, with my sub-type, it afforded the best chance of killing the enemy.
(((((HUGS))))) everybody! Winding down to that trip to Maine and trying to do some house cleaning as well. Don't know about you all but I like coming home to a clean house. Our coastal cottage has a washer and dryer so this time I can even do our laundry while there and bring it home clean too.
Have a great weekend ladies.
Hugs,
Juanita
0 -
Juanita Where in Maine are you going? I live in Maine right outside of Portland.. Have a great trip..
Cindy
0 -
stage 1 a couple of months after rads I started having a rash on my chest area and itching. My RO did not seem to think anything about it when I went for my 3 month check up. The following week I had an appt with my dermatologist and showed it to him and he said that the skin is more tender after rads and that you can break out just from fabric rubbing against it. The most important thing is to take care of the itch and don't scratch. I told him of the over the counter stuff the RO had told me to use during rads and he said that stuff was useless and through it away. Which I happen to agree with because it did not help during rads. Anyway he gave me a presciption for Kenalog 1% ointment in several small tubes. He said that way keep it in my purse at work or anywhere else I might be when the rash comes on. He said it can do this off and on for quiet a while. Nothing to worry about but just get rid of the itch. I have not had the itch in a couple of months but you just never know when it might appear again.
0 -
Thanks Sherryc for that information. That explains the itchy rash I'm having on my chest that even goes up to my chin....0
-
Thanks, Sherryc and Sagina, I appreciate knowing I am not alone with the itching. I can tolerate it, as long as I know it is normal after rads. Can't be chemo, I was lucky not to have Chemo. I did, tho, start this all over skin issue right after surgery, even before rads.
Have a great weekend!!!
0 -
Hi Ladies........Stage 1............................I finished Rads on June 15th.............must say.........yes I do have an itchy area on my upper chest whiich goes "still itching" right to below my throat.............I also have the little bumps your talking about, even though you can't really see them............I know they are there.............
Getting dry skin over other parts of my body..........noticed peeling on my legs, and I have not been in the sun...........I moisturize, but it comes back...........will exfoliate tonight and see what that does................legs only.................all I want is for the friggin fatigue to go away..............it is horrible.................I think after Rads is worst then during to be honest..............really its all just one big pain in the ass......................and gotta love the LE...............that is just a "side bar" from all the other shit going on....................well at least the Femara is being nice to me.............."for now anyway".......................knock wood....................
0 -
ducky - Believe it or not the fatigue does go away. I know I hated that part about rads too. I did not have dry skin afterwards but could I suggest a good lotion like Gold Bond or Lubriderm? My kneecaps tend to get dry and peel in the summer time and for that I use Gold Bond Foot Cream - it really does the trick for me.
0 -
Ducky, OMG, Someone has the little bumps!!! The ones you cannot see, but we know they are there
They are so wierd. I started getting them after surgery and then more after rads. I wonder when they will go away. I keep touching them, just habit. Wierd feeling...My fatigue is subsiding, but still after I finally get ready to go somewhere, I am too tired to go Ya know, these feelings are just too weird to share with family. They think that cancer has driven me nuts. They just pause and stare at me
I am just going to tell everyone I am "fine", even tho I just had x rays taken of my ovaries, etc, whatever they took pictures of, I was experiencing pain. I will get results on Monday. Meanwhile, I will not think about it
0 -
stage 1 - Sending up prayers and good thoughts for B9 results on your tests. Please let us know what you find out.
0 -
Stage 1..............isn't it funny how when you were first diagnosed everyone seemed interested in what you had to say........whether it was a complaint, asking for advice, or just about anything.............now it seems as though they hit the "off" switch when you begin a conversation.............my kids were spectacular throughout this whole thing.............now when you mention a problem they do look at you like your "nuts"..............and think "she has really become "cancerphobic"................Heaven forbid you mention the AI's your on, and how you experience a few different feelings from day to day.................Guess what I was told.................by a friend.....................get off the computer, and stop reading the package inserts that come with your Meds..........................asshole...............I worked for a Pharma company .............trust me..............I read the inserts.................oh well, at least we have each other here on BCO................I have no problems saying to you gals "hey did this happen to you", and not expect "the look".................hugs.
0 -
Jo, thank you for your prayers, looks like we had the same diagnosis. I pray you stay well. And thanks for your lotion and cream recommendations.
Ducky We have same feelings, good to know we are not alone...BTW, talking about Med inserts, I noticed that my elevil (amitriptyline, I think) says it might interfere with levithyroid, which I take in the AM. I must bring this up with the doctor, I have been taking those two for quite sometime. Seems like they just prescribe without checking...we have to check. I just wish people in general would take some responsibility, I am not a doctor or a pharmasist or a scientist, but seems we have to look up and check on everything. Good thing we have the internet.
Have a great weekend, all, I appreciate your thoughts, and ...hugs...back at ya
0 -
stage 1 - There are some medications that if you take them at different times there are not drug interactions. I am also on amitriptyline and take it at night - then take my Tamoxifen in the morning. I made sure my pain specialist knew I was taking Tamox. In fact, I make sure before any of my doctors prescribe anything that they are all safe to be taken together. You are right, we do have to check ourselves - but we shouldn't have to - should we?
0 -
gosh i missed 3 days.been busy and had no time to think about the beast!!!!!.
Tori-glad you had a mini vac.Family is healing.let us know about the RO on tues.
Chevy-love the crown you sent me.it fits.thank you
Sandlove your pic-I too still have pain in the boob and under the arm area.especially when its goin to rain.
Sherry-I too am still tan.real different color 7 mos.later.
Jo--you keep sayin the mamo doesnt hurt.I sure hope so.my BS tells me it will.still didnt make the appt.to go for it yet.my GS is getting engaged next weekend and i dont want to be in pain.after that ill make the appt.
Juanita-when are you leaving for Maine????
Ducky-you crack me up.the fatigue is still with me too and i do believe it was worst after it was all over.Good luck with Mon.results.let us know please.
I think AFTER RADS we become old news.Everyone thinks we are done and we are fine.they have no clue what is really goin on in our heads...only we know.Thank GOD we have each other...i love you sistas. hugggggggggs K
0 -
Ditto Granny, and right back at cha.............................love you gals...............
0 -
granny - I did have my first mammo since dx in June and I was terrified. I just knew it was going to hurt like hell - especially when my lump scar is. The bottom plate sits right on the scar. I was very fortunate and had a tech that has worked with BC patients in the past and understands our anxiety. When she started squeezing, she kept asking if I was alright and would have stopped when I started to feel pain. She was able to get a full squeeze in and get good views. I had also taken a Lortab just before the test but I really don't think I needed it. Talk to your tech and hopefully she will listen to you and will work with you. When are you due to have your mammo?
0 -
I was due last week to make the appt for the mammo BUT im holding off till after next week.I know the tech which i saw on fri.and she kept tellin me not to worry but im still scared..thats why i never went for mammos in the past.I do have cystic breasts and the mammo hurts for days afterwards.just want the engagement party to be over first.one thing at a time.One day at a time....
0 -
Hello friends - I haven't posted for some time because things seemed to be fairly stable. I finished radiation in June. I've been going through the post-rads cycle but noticed something I haven't heard anyone mention. The skin SEs cleared up about 6 weeks after treatment. I can tell that there are ongoing changes inside the radiated breast. It's not really pain, but a tightness that moves around. Just the other day, I noticed that the radiated breast is now larger than the non-radiated breast. I believe this happened to some women during radiation, but for me it's happening 2 months after radiation. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?
Thanks for your insights and help.
0 -
Gabby-I wish i could help you but my breast got larger and harder during the tx and remained still like a rock.Its the weekend and the boards are slow...someone should come on with some help for you...if not please call your dr.It does sound kinda unusual but then everything about this beast is unusual....hugggggggs K0
-
Gabby...............Big boob, radiated side.........and sometimes like a rock.............I never went without a bra......didn't have too, so I'm wondering if that caused me to have problems.......I felt better with a bra on then off, so I wore one.............I stopped wearing my underwire bras, and ditched them..............not sure what the hell this is, but Iook like Dolly Parton on the right side, and Minnie Pearl on the left.............................the right boob says Good Morning to my face, and the left one says Hi Yall to my feet....................Does this shit ever end ......................hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm that answer would be "NO". hugs.
0 -
Gabby - My bad boob also has what I would call a floating hardness. When I do too much my underarm to my breast gets swollen and I feel like a honeydew...I am only 6 weeks post rads but tonight I can't even wear my shelf bra tank top...it seems too tight... So I'm with you on this one...
Ducky you made me laugh and yes I know EXACTLY what you mean about a Dolly Parton on my right side and a Minnie Pearl on the left --- I am right there with you!!!! ROFL - thanks I needed that picture...
0 -
No one really answered the question "did anyone have this problem AFTER the rads????I think we all got it during the rads and continued after but not after we were done....am i correct on this??????
0 -
granny - i've only been "finished" for 3 weeks but i believe healing & changes last quite awhile after completing rads. i am still peeling in certain spots & i have to be careful of what i do anymore - i'm right handed & after 60plusplusplus years, you kinda forget to "take it easy". my boob & armpit let me know when i've overdone it. hopefully some of the other sisters can give you feedback - my only suggestion is to let whichever doc you see next what's happening.
{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}
0 -
Granny: actually mine breast didn't swell until last week when I started doing more at work and the temp here went up... but as you said I'm only 6 weeks post rads - so maybe my experience doesn't count as After rads....
0 -
I found that my skin was VERY sensitive after rads. I had a shirt I had bought at a Frenchies (Nova Scotia's thrift store) for the surgery day as I was told and had read that I would want a buton up, lose shirt after the lumpectomy...loved the shirt..a weird pattern, interesting green colour but my goodness...! a few weeks after surgery, my skin hurt when I wore it..this is post red, peeling skin stage...certain fabrics made me feel like my skin was being rubbed raw!....lots of cotton tshirts were worn last winter!
0 -
Hi Gabby, I'm two months out of rads and yes I swelled up afterward. My worst swelling is where the void is from the lumpectomy. I also started to have stabbing pains after rads was done, RO said it 's the tissue trying to heal, wish it would hurry the heck up already. I wore an underwire for the first time yesterday to a party wanted to look sort of normal. Got home last night took it off and found my radiated boob indented, bad....it was so weird....back to the cotton ones for a while longer.
I saw my BS a couple of weeks ago to get my port out. I asked him to look at my swollen boob. He agreed it's swollen, trying to heal, etc. and says, well it fills it out nicely.
0
