After Radiation
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GMA Foley: I was having lots of pain as well around 4 1/2 to 5 months post-rads. Just to let you know, it does get better. Still have days of tenderness, but barely noticeable anymore. It helps to do some stretching exercises so you may want to look into those. I also met with a lymphadema therapist who showed me lymphatic massage which helped my scar tissue.
Mandala: it only gets better..hang in there!
Gina-I so hope your doctor visit went alright today. Yes, the roller coaster never stops, does it? Praying for you...
I've been sick with a sinus infection the last couple weeks, but on antibiotics, so feeling better now. The headache is a killer! Just need to catch up on holiday preparations now and prepare for company on Christmas. At least I have some gifts wrapped!
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Susan, can you give us an overview of the massage? I have a lump of scar tissue under my surgery scar that is bigger than my original lump! I mentioned it to my onc a couple of weeks ago and he didn't seem to have any suggestions. I have my next mammogram in 3 months and I know it's going to be a nightmare because of the scar tissue.
GmaFoley, I'm having trouble in the bra department too. They all hurt and one breast is much smaller than the other now. I wear the shelf bra tank tops too, but in this really cold weather, the headlights poke out and one is noticeably lower than the other one. I feel like a sewage treatment plant, the crap just keeps on coming.
I did find something for the leg pain and restless legs. It's called Hyland's Leg Cramps capsules. I found it in the vitamin section at Walmart. It's homeopathic and the onc said it's ok to take with all my meds. Thank goodness something works!
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Hi Rohanna,
The lymphatic massage is a very light touch massage, when combined with exercises to get the lymph flowing in the right direction, will enable better flow through all that scar tissue. My doctor had put me on Trental which is a drug to promote blood flow, but turns out I ddn't need it. The massage was enough! It seems in my case that the pain is due to the lack of blood flow, so any exercises or massage would help. When I forget for a couple days, the pain starts back again. It would be too hard here for me to explain the massage. I think you would need someone to show you. I would suggest asking whether there is a therapist avaialble to you for help at the cancer center you go to.
As far as bras, I ended up with lymphadema because I wasn't wearing supportive bras due to the pain. I too relied on those shelf bras! Once I got the pain under control, I was able to get refitted for new ones. Turns out I went down a band size, so it is important to go somewhere where they will fit you. I know some places are covered under insurance and the bras will be paid for after a breast cancer diagnosis. It is important to get into a proper fitting bra ASAP so you don't end up with swelling. I was prescribed a compression bra after lymphadema and now I just wear it at night.
I am almost 7 months post-rads and it has gotten so much better! Time always heals, with a little help from those docs and therapists.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZW58NoVrio&feature=related
Found a nice video of lymphatic massage
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thanks Merilee! i was wondering if there was something online showing how to do it. Very hard to explain in writing...
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Go to the I hate LE thread.those sistas will direct you step by step with the LE.That must be taken care of ASAP.including and most important is the bra.There is everything in one place on that thread.do check it out.0
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Trained bra fitters can be hard to find . My surgeon was able to give me the name and number of one in a nearby city that specializes in lumpectomy and mastectomy problems.
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GmaFoley and SusanHG – thank you for the encouragement! Yes, it is a lot better and it heals a lot faster than I thought. Bras are OK; I use post-op bras, because they don't put pressure on the worst burned area. Being without a bra was hard before, but now I can do it.0
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I swear there should be a special thread just on BRAS.after surgery,AFTER RADS, in case you get LY or Edema.As i said before the best i know is the I HATE LE....but that is for LE
what about after biopsy?what about during rads?all the drs say just wear what is comfortable.well damitt after rads nothing was comfortable.i was fitted.went to every bra store,bought the genie and tried everything.After almost 1 1/2 yrs after surgery and almost 1 yr after RADS.I still have a problem with about 35 different bras....even the seams of my shirts hurt.sometimes i wear them inside out...that looks real nice(NOT)
one day i love my Champion Sports bra that i paid $35.00 and the next day its killin me...is it just me????
Oh and lets not forget the compression bra 24/7.grrrrrrrrrr.
today i have on a sports bra that i bought in an outlet store yrs ag.brand new.paid 3 bucks.feels fine.just sayin!!!!!
hugggggggggggs everyone...
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Thanks, everyone! I'm watching the masssage video! Oh, and I brought an Ah Bra today. So far so good! Thanks for all your help and advice!
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I hear you, Granny!! Have my compressure bra on right now...having a little soreness the last couple days, so I think I will wear it today. I bought the AHHH bra--no good for me
not enough support, Rohanna. Hope you do better with it..I watched the video-not quite what I was taught. I think everyone needs their own personalized version. In my case, I have to redirect my lymph to the other armpit and move it across my chest to the other side. I have so much scar tissue blocking the nondes on my left side that we just assume that they are not working. My sentinal node and scar are on myupper outer left quadrant.
Glad things are better Merilee. Hang in there, there will be ups and downs. If you expect them, they won't be surprising when they happen...
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I know there will be bumps in the road. I will be glad when the speed bumps of life no longer flatten my tires. I am getting tired of repairing them LOL Thinking of going to giant titanium ones...and maybe some spikes
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That's the way to see it, Merrilee! I think we all need some of those spikes just in case! 0
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oh I just realized! I said Merrillee before and I meant Mandalala! so sorry, but I guess you got it too Merrilee
this sinus infection is really messing with my brain. Glad that you got through your latest "Bump", Merrilee!
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Hi everyone. I spent yesterday so ticked off, mad at the world, and have a PLUM party! Poor little unfortunate me - party! I wrote in my journal last night and feel much better today. Thank you all for climbing in my pocket. Will need you again in January when I get to hit my deductible again for the US guided needle aspiration thyroid biopsy. Turns out the thyroid is working perfectly, so the vegan diet and no weight loss....well....wish I could blame it! lol. No exercise is probably the real reason!
I did feel so drained yesterday. What I didn't put in my journal is that my house payment also went up 300 a month.....the DH needs 3000 eye surgery on the 29th of this month, and of course, I'll have to come up with the 1000 for my deductible. I think the draining was a combo.
But, as we all learn to do, I bounced back climbed back into the frame of mind of it is what it is, can't change it, can only deal with it. I know that have we handle this kind of stuff builds character, but can somebody please call Disney? I think I'm all built! lol.
Love you guys, thank you so much for the support! yeah for the B9 for Merilee! and I'm asking Santa for those same titanium tires with spikes!
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Here is a good morning hug for you Gina. Today will be a better day. Writing is a great way to get thins out of your head. Other wise, at least for me, that stuff swims around in my noodle and makes me dizzy.
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(((((hugs))))) and prayers Gina! I know how you feel, enough already! Marilee is right, today will be a better day.
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((((Gina)))) Hang in there! Things will get better.
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awwww, I am so smiling right now. Thank you all for the good mornings! I think the overwhelmed feeling this week about the health stuff was probably just a sampling of the rest of my life, after cancer. But, deep breath, and silver lining, I have a life to get overwhelmed in. My problems are so small compared to so many others out there.
My DD had a rough semester and I told her that not everything can learned from a book, sometimes you just have to experience life and learn from that. I told her the rough times don't define us, it's how we rise to the occasion that does. So we limit our pity parties to a good cry, then pick ourselves up, dust off the crap, and keep moving! Life is a forward motion.
thank you again for all your words of encouragement. the comforting thing is, I know each of you really now just how I feel.
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SusanHG – The spikes were Merilee's, not mine So you were right! 0
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Actually, I was talking about the ups and downs part...I know, confusing by this time, but glad you are feeling better, Mandalala!
Gina-I hhhuuuugggeeee hug to you! I wish it could be real, but it is the best I can do across the miles. Hang in there---one day at a time--yes, I am afraid after cancer, everything changes, but I guess we should concentrate on all the positives that come out of it because there are positives out there---like meeting all of you and having such a strong support system to come to. Now that is huge!
Take care,
Susan
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Sagina............my final and last thought and prayer tonight when I lay down my head will be for you..............each day is a new day, I hope tomorrow is wonderful for you...............hugs, and peace to you tonight..........................
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Ducky1, everyday is a new day, and each day is wonderful even if we struggle I agree. I thank you for your prayers. I have to remind myself of what I did this last year, how I faced it and got through it, one small step at a time. As long as I keep moving, I've done good. Hugs back to you all!
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Ducky---Sagina-----all my sistas....think of the begining of this ugly road we started way back in feb 2011.....losts of us started together..Sherry,Tori.i cannot think that much.....JOJO damn.we all are almost 1 yr.past rads....congrats.and to all my other sistas who we picked up on the way WE CAME ALONG WAY BABY.....It does get betta,it will get betta,it betta get betta.
Merry christmas to all of you.Thank you for each and everyone of you for bringing something to this board.We need every one of you(hi Joyce) even just to drop by to remember we all are sistas helping sistas.I pray for all of us every nite.They are comin soooo close with all these vacines nnow..lets hope something works in 2012.hugggggsK
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Gina big (((((((( HUGS)))))))) Sorry you are going to have to have another biopsy. I feel your pain with the medical bills seems they never end.
Am in west Texas at my son's and looks like it will snow tonight. Will be nice to have a white Christmas for a change
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Granny, your right............we are coming on to our 1st. year...........This time last year the last thought in my mind was "cancer".............the only time I ever thought of it was when I reminised about my Mom, Dad, and my husband.......all stricken by cancer............I never thought it would be me..........I figured the heart attack (even though very mild) was what life had in store for me for my remaining years..........that Feb. phone call, "Mrs. Barbieri, this is DCMH, we would like you to come back for a redo of your Mammo."......................even on the drive there I though, what crap.................what a wasted trip ...........and here I am today, almost a year later, surgery, Rads, and Femara................it is amazing how life changes in the turn of your head...................
Well here we are this xmas with a few more things on our plates then this time last year, but we're a tough bunch, and we will get through this..................my BS said to me the first time I saw him........................Yes, you have cancer, but trust me when I say to you, "this is not what you will die from"...............hope he was right...............hugs.
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(((((HUGS)))))) to everyone, and happy holidays!
Sandi
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Yes, we have come along way, haven't we? I was diagnosed last December 15th, so my holidays last year were terrible! After a year of struggles, I can say that I feel better, even better than before diagnosis since I take care of my body now. I hate the lingering pains, but they are manageable. I am just so happy to be alive! At this Christmas and always, may you all find peace and health in both body and mind. I am thankful for each and every one of you for being there 24/7 in this wonderful place and am sending warm wishes to all.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Susan
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Merry Christmas, everyone! Thank you for all the love and support you gave me through my year of treatments. Truly, I do not know what I would have done without you. Wishing everyone good health and happiness in the year ahead.
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Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and thank you all for being there for me this last year
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