Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Five years out, my scar tissue (especially surrounding the now-emptied-out mammary and axillary seromas) has hardened and still feels like a lump. But not tender or painful, though. You might want to get a lymphedema (LE) consult with an occupational therapist (OT), who can teach you gentle draining self-massage technique to coax the fluid out of your tumor cavity and SNB scar and back into your lymph channels. Made a huge difference for me. It works even if you don't have an LE diagnosis.
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Hi ChiSandy, How long did it take for you scar lump to get hard? I have noticed real thick hardening in the last couple of months. Not sure if I have lymphedema. Just feel chest tightness and pulling on my arm but could be SNB scar affecting my arm. I have wanted to look into lymphatic massage. I also had the balloon radiation so thinking I also have fibrosis taking over. IT is too bad these scars are constant reminders. I am a little over 2 years out from treatment. Happy Thursday!
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Beclyn20, I waited over 5 years to get PT for the aches, muscles feeling "disorganized". I was complaining to my NP that my shoulder, back, side, upper chest, seemed to be pulling. Not heart. She thought it was likely how I was "put back together" after my Lx. I wish I had done it sooner. Went to a therapist who specializes in BC patients. It was terrific. Now when I feel things are "off" I do my exercises (yes, I should do them all the time but I don't).
BTW, be sure to update your profile and make all the components PUBLIC so we can see what your Dx and treatments have been. And that SNB site remains an annoyance. ARGH!
HUGS!
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After my surgery in Feb 2020, a few months later my affected armpit and arm was really tight and it hurt to raise over my head despite doing exercises. I went to physical for several months, what a difference. I can move like before without discomfort, and continue to do exercises several times a week. I had some mild cording and lots scar tissue
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MY scar has had a firm lump around it since nearly the beginning. Radiation oncologist said it was likely that's the way it would be for me and it has been. Not painful but there.
I echo Peggy's recommendation. I had some signs of lymphedema early on and my Dr. Sent me right to PT to be evaluated. Excellent experience. She allayed fears that I had it, and also provided baseline measurements and ongoing recommendations.
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Thanks Ladies... I am going to look into lymphatic massage first. It was just weird how after 2 years scar really started to get mean but I had seen where fibrosis can set in from 2-10 years after radiation. Sure wish I found this board when I was on the cancer train. I would have definitely asked a lot of questions. It will always be amazing to me the things they don't tell you. Too late now, but I would have declined radiation. They made it sound so easy. 5 days and you get your life back. Happy Saturday to all!
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Beclyn20, Lymphedema makes sense to me if they removed 9 nodes. We have similar Dx and I also had 9 nodes removed. I've been dealing with lymphedema since the beginning, but it shows up in different areas and in different ways. It's amazing how disruptive it is to the lymphatic system to remove 9 nodes, but it's pretty manageable once you get it under control. I was told it was a forever thing, so not surprised if this was a new development for you. Good luck!
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Thanks JB...For sure same diagnosis. JB what do you do for it? I always had little issues but really started to be painful in October. My lump was at 11:00 o'clock. I really don't feel any swelling but my arm has been uncomfortable since October. Sorry you were so young but from what I have been told I had the 'Nice" cancer by Rads and surgeon. NOT ugly by MO. I think it SUCKS.
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Beclyn: I've seen both Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists for lymphedema and they had different approaches. OTs used deep oscillation therapy for cording, my armpit, and corner of the chest and PTs manually broke up the chunks of hardened lymphatic fluid in my breast and flushed them out (over time, of course, lymphatic massage is a very gradual process). For ongoing maintenance, I try to do daily lymphatic drainage exercises and I also got some DME for lymphatic massage since I'd already met my out of pocket max for the year, LOL. It gets areas like my back that I can't reach very well and does a thorough massage of the arms/torso/trunk.
I don't do either as religiously as I should, but I increase frequency when things start feeling 'sludgy' and I can notice a difference.
Pretty sure both OTs/PTs would be able to help discern if it's a muscular issue as well (but the inverse isn't necessarily true), so getting lymphedema checked out first is a good idea in my opinion.
And you're right: it DOES suck.
I am VERY grateful for lumpectomies and other targeted medical treatments that allow more women to have less invasive breast cancer treatments than even 10 years ago; but being told that it's a very exciting time to be a breast cancer patient doesn't necessarily make it so. 
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I apologize in advance for not spending time reading comments here before asking. In April 2019 I had lumpectomy on left breast. In Nov 2019 I had reduction surgery on the right breast to improve symmetry. So that surgery was more than a year ago, and the reduction surgery is the one I wonder about.
Often I have pain under my arm and on the right side of my right breast. It is not near the reduction surgery scars. For the past couple of weeks, it's been fairly persistent. The best way I can describe it is as if I am being pinched HARD, against the tender stuff. It's becoming more and more aggravating. I also have firm lumpiness along the area toward my side, which is often uncomfortable, too.
Any thoughts about this? Thanks.
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You had the mirror image of the surgery I'd been planning pre-pandemic. Breast reduction surgery is more complex than lumpectomy or augmentation! Scars need to be hidden, interior structures rearranged, and nerves & muscles get cut. Not quite as intricate as flap reconstruction but plenty of opportunity for breast tissues to get "angry." And any time internal tissues get removed, seromas can form--fluid to "fill the void." And often the body forms internal scar tissue surrounding it--over time as the seroma shrinks, the scar tissue contracts and feels hard, sometimes feeling as if it's "pulling." My breast cancer surgeon's NP had said that sometimes "granulomas" (little hard knots) can form--annoying but harmless. It's also possible that a lymph node or two may have tagged along with the removed fat & milk ducts/lobes, so you need to rule out lymphedema.
Ask your surgeon--maybe get an ultrasound to set your mind at ease.
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Thanks, Sandy. I'm not so much worried as just *damn* uncomfortable. I want it to stop! I have my annual PCP appt in January and mammogram and whole breast ultrasound at the beginning of February. There isn't anything about it that makes me feel more urgent than that. Except discomfort. So your answer was exactly what I was looking for, just to say what I already know.
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I hear you, Mia--discomfort sucks. Hang in there and happy holidays!
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Hi there,
I had a very mild lumpectomy (under the skin but above the muscle) 2 yrs ago, chemo, then radiation therapy every day for 3 months. I started to notice my right implant being higher than my left. I also started to get capsular contraction around my right implant changing my U shaped lower curve of my breast to a V shape.
My PS suggest, removing scar tissue/capsular contraction and replacing it with a smaller implant on the right side. Changing my implants from silicone to the gummy implants to help with the rippling. Then making the left one smaller to match the right. I've wanted and had these for 20 yrs, to go backwards to an entire size smaller will mean throwing out everything I own (bras/tops). He said he won't know until he gets in there if he can keep the same size or will need to go smaller.
I got a second opinion from another PS who doesn't suggest messing with the implant. If anything, removed the unradiated side to a smaller size to match the right. Do fat transfer on the right side to fill out the V shape the capsular contraction has caused and filling out where the scar is indented and to also fill out the rippling anywhere that its showing. His concern is that the muscle and skin tissue along with the blood capillaries from the radiation has been damaged making healing an issue if not, with difficulty closing wounds. That eventually a certain type of V flap (where they take either the back shoulder tissue or stomach tissue that is not compromise to replace my breast tissue.
I am super blessed I never had to have a masectomy but I am uncertain how I should proceed. Please help.
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Welcome, Sparkleangel! We're so sorry that you're having to make this difficult decision. It's good you got a second opinion, so you know what your options are! We're sure other members will offer their advice and share their experiences with the procedures you're considering. Please keep us posted on what you decide to do!
The Mods
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Thanks Nash. I am going to look into massage therapy. Can you describe your scar tissue and when you noticed it got bad? Merry Christmas?
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Merry Christmas, and wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Years
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Thank you.
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Thank you. I just had a second opinion from another PS who said that he would not suggest surgery on the radiated affected side due to high risk of potential complications such as tissue and skin damage from radiation making surgical wounds difficult to close. The new implant could be rejected or because of the radiation, the skin muscle tissue is tighter so a smaller implant will have to go in. Which means a smaller implant on the left, unradiated side.
Post surgery I could also reject the implant with more capsular contraction requiring a secondary surgery and/or a flap surgery where I would require new tissue from my stomach or back (which he says I don't have any to make it look realistic).
The option he considers best is fat grafting/transfer. Less chance for issues.
Has anyone with a lumpectomy just had fat grafting done instead of a implant replacement? Or if you had an implant replacement with all lymph node removal, did you have complications from lymphodema?
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A new primary tumor after 7 years from original DX. Just switched oncs who is having it removed and then probably rads for 3 weeks. I did Anastrozole for 5 years and the testing showed me very low risk for another cancer. My onco test was a 2. 18 months after I stopped it I got this new one. I will probably be on aromasin this time-- my prev oncologist had me on Ibrance and Faslodex for the last 7 months. Completely different opinion. Now Im glad to have it out with lumpectomy next week. Dont think my implant will be involved but told them if it is at all just take it out. I don't care. Will be lopsided after or remove the right one. Not having new put in. For those with bad scars try Scar Away. They are strips you keep on and somehow they help with the scar tissue. Takes awhile but works great.
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Aviva5675, How discouraging. Do it all by the book and it doesn't help. Hope your surgery goes smoothly and your recovery is swift! In your pocket for this!!!
HUGS!!
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aviva5675, sending hugs and healing thoughts your way.
Edited to correct autocorrect!
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Aviva5675 thinking of you as you deal with this new challenge. Keep us posted. Wishing you a rapid and full recovery.
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Aviva5675 - I'm shaking my head, you did all you are supposed to do. HUGS May your surgery go as smooth as possible, and get this out of you.
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Aviva, so sorry about your new tumor--even after doing everything "by the book." Hope you will be a very long-term metavivor. Hugs & prayers.
Seems that for those of us with second cancers, it's as if just after we breathe a sigh of relief, Mother Nature says, "here--hold my beer."
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My wife accidentally found what I consider to be the perfect post-lumpectomy bra! They are comfortable, cheap, and extremely supportive. I can't post a link here yet, but if you search Amazon for the "MIRITY Women Racerback Sports Bras - High Impact Workout Gym Activewear Bra" you'll find them. For under $40, you can get a 5-pack. Take the pads out of them before you wash them or they turn into little rolls you can't undo. I found the pads very helpful the first week after surgery, but then I didn't need them.
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I checked the Mirity site--even the 3X will fit no larger than 38E--and I'm a 36 I !
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ChiSandy, you are supposed to flat or even concave to wear sports bras IMHO. And I am an A cup. I find they squish me! Aren't there women designing and wearing these bras??
HUGS!
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