After Radiation
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Yup, ladies the WBC can stay low for some time and if you are taking Tamoxifen, then it may even be lower for longer. That also means we are more at risk for serious infections and flu, pneumonia, etc. Take good care, all. Be kind and gentle with yourselves.
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Hello Rads Ladies-
I posted on this thread a long time back when it first started.
I'm probably the person on this thread who is the farthest out from the end of rads. I finished rads in April of 2010, and my radiated breast is still slightly bigger than the other one, and still somewhat tender to the touch. Like I told my husband, I don't think about it all the time, it doesn't hurt on its own, but, boy, if someone brushes up against it, or while I'm soaping it up in the shower, it's still tender. It also bruises way easier than the other one. I've been told that it may never be totally normal feeling again.
I'm having my 2 years out mammogram on Dec. 5th-this time on both breasts. I'm a little nervous, but trying not to think about it too much. Thank goodness I have a very busy and full life.
Mary
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Mary I have had slow healing issues as well and problems with my pec which I am in PT right now for. MY BS said that wherever I am at at 18 months is likely never going to get better than that. I am currently 10 mnths out.
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Well, Sherry-I'm 19 months out so I guess this is it.
I'm not sorry I had radiation-I just wish I didn't have a daily reminder that I had cancer.
Mary
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My rad onc says she can still detect the effects of radiation 2 years out and implied that things could still be healing up even 2 years out from treatment. (writing on the boards has really shown me what a lousy writer I am sometimes! I try to express an idea and it comes out so oddly sometimes!)
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I wish I could say that I was glad I did radiation but the fact is I hated it then and I hate it now. I would have had a BMX and no rads if my BS at the time would have given me that info. But she did not and i went through it and have already had to have another biopsy. So BMX here I come I can't do it until March but March cannot get here fast enough. All my Dr's tell me I am at a high risk of getting a local recurrance so I like the thought of bringing my odds down to 2%. Just wish I had not wasted all this time. But as Jo says we do the best we can with the information we are given.
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I hear you Sherry. At the beginning it's a mess. I didn't find this site until chemo. It would have helped with the surgery decisions I think.0
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Ditto to all of the above...14 mos rads finished and all of the above...this shit is gonna remain sistas.another gift from this damn cancer.
just breathe!!!! huggggggggs K
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sherry: what pec issues are you having? I'm very swollen and my RO thought maybe my pec was inflamed. I'm in PT because my shoulder is frozen and it is so tight through my pec.
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After seeing how much pain my sister-in-law has gone through after her double mastectomy and reconstruction, and is still having 18 months later,I think I can still say I'm glad I had a lumpectomy and radiation.
One thing I'm pretty sure about-if I ever have to have a mastectomy, I don't think I would have reconstruction.
Mary
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Mary----i agree with you totally....i did the rads but i would never do them again...off they both come and nothing else.....enuf with this crap...i said this was the end of the line and it is for me...0
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Well, I had MX and RADS, so I can tell you they both stink!
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I just wanted to say that a consistently red and swollen breast can be LE...sometimes (like in my case) it is mistaken for infection of radiation swelling. I am now seeing an LE therapist and it helped almost immediately with swelling, pain and movement. They are working on my scar tissue, which is deep, and may be blocking the lymphatic system (paraphrasing.)
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I'm sorry, infection *OR radiation swelling. I really have to start proof reading since my typing skills seem to be disintegrating.
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I was worried about LE of the breast. I saw the lymphadema nurse and she said to give it some time to heal, so I guess I just wait and see.
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SAB- what exactly are they doing with your scar tissue?
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Same thing here... I was diagnosed with lymphadema of the breast. I had swelling, pain, and redness, went to LE therapist and am fine now (this was at the beginning of October). I give myself self massages and do the exercises recommended to me and even my scar tissue feels better from the stretching.
Thanks are definitely looking brighter!
Susan
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They are approaching it with a low level laser to break up the scar tissue (which has thick adhesions under it) and some manipulation of the tissue (not really massage) to stretch and disconnect the scar tissue. I have to stretch the scar tissue at home twice a day in between weekly appointments...I will have 4-6 treatments and 2 educational classes and will also start flying with a sleeve since the therapist detected some suspicious areas on the back of my arm and upper back.
I'm relieved because my BS keeps poking at the scar trying to figure out if there is something under the hard tissue. Also because the other day I reached a high shelf without thinking and my range of motion has definitely increased (scar is at 11:00 position on breast and did inhibit range of motion.)
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mamalou my pec muslce from my shoulder to deep into my breast has been tight since about 2 months post rads. I mentioned it to the RO at my 3 month followup and he confirmed that rads really messes with our pec muscles and that sometimes it take 2 to 3 years for them to settle down. I am very active in yoga so it was very noticable to me even though he thought my range of motion was ok and that I would be fine with continuing my yoga. He did give me one additional stretch to use. Anyway fast foward to 8 months post rads and my pec became some painful that I could not stand it any longer so I asked my MO to give me a script for PT. I was also still having swelling in my breast. Went to PT and I do not have lymphedema just swelling from rads. PT has helped tremdiously, I have done 6 weeks and will continue on another 6 weeks. I almost have my full range of motion back so I am sure I will after the next six weeks. I am really starting to notice things that I can do and it does not hurt but I still feel the stretch. I want to get back to pre rads and that is what my PT is trying for. PT also had me start icing again and that has helped. I also get full body lymphatic massages every other week and the therapist works on my scar tissue as well. In the beginning I thought I would come off the table, but it has gotten better has well.
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I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I am late but its been a while since I've been on. I was happy to see some info on the WBC. It seems as though I am always sick. That's the reason I am up now stratchy throat and runny nose. I can't stand it. I finished Rads in July but I still don't feel energy and now I catch every stinking cold around. My hubby is starting to get bummed out because I just don't feel the same as I did before. We are working through it. Oh well. I can see how this is the gift that keeps on giving. I just wish it would stop! For all of us.
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Teklya, thanks for the answer on WBC. I did start tamoxifen this month, so I guess WBC may be with me a while. I am glad I didn't get that flu shot I was going to get, probably a good thing.
I had mx, rads and reconstruction, the trifecta! To tell you the truth, the reconstruction (flap surgery) was painful for a week or so after surgery, but other than that I have no lasting effects from it. So far, I can't say the same about chemo, mx or rads. I almost didn't do it, and I know it's not for everyone, but it may be the tx that causes no lasting se's.0 -
Grannydukes: A very close friend of mine has been using several of the Myevolife products and hasn't stopped raving about it.... she swears by their creams and deos, she says they are completely natural.... i hope they help you too...
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Thank you everyone!! My mammo was all clear...yay!!!
Now I just have to get through my hyst/ooph on Friday....
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woohoo BArb that is great news.
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You can all climb out of my pocket......I GOT AN ALL CLEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently have a cyst on my right ovary I didn't even know about, but that's all the CT picked up! Amen and Hallelujah!
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
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woohoo Gina we like good reports. Thank you Jesus!
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Great news Gina! Thank you, dear Lord, for Gina's good news and mine!
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Hooray Gina!!!
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Great news Gina and Barb--that's sure to put some happy in your holiday!
sharan--where do you get evolife products? My skin is reacting to Tom's and I won't use aluminum any more...so I'm looking for a good alternative.
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Great news Barb and Gina!! My first mammo is tomorrow, hoping I can report my own good news! And good luck on your surgery, Barb...I'll be thinking of you!
Hugs,
Sandi
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