Rib Bruise after Rads? Scared !!

ByFaith

I finished my rads end of August and have had followup with my oncologist end of September and actually just saw my rad onc yesterday for me to confirm the texture and feeling of my bc-breast was normal (they confirmed it was, and it was a call I made out of an overabundance of caution).

It wasn't until after my rad onc appointment that I noticed a feeling of a slight bruise (only when touched) at the very site where a tattoo dot was placed on my BC-breast side for my rads.  I have no pain, no bruise mark, and although I tripped over the dog onto a cocktail table not long ago, again I have no bruise.  I did notice this morning it is the area where I also lean my laptop and other books when I'm carrying them downstairs. 

I called my oncologist's office and the nurse practitioner called back this morning. I gave her the history, explaining no pain, only slight bruise upon touching.  She said it's not unusual to have some demineralization to the ribs there given it's an area they radiated, but just to be absolutely certain she's ordering a rib x-ray.  I feel given the fact that I called left her no option but to schedule a test, but I also didn't know if I could rest easy without knowing.  

 Now I'm utterly terrified, waiting for scheduling to call, let alone waiting for the results of the rib x-ray.  Has anyone else ever had this happen with a slight bruise-upon-touch on the BC-breast side 2 months after radiation? I feel like such a baby, but I've been depressed from Femara recently.

If anyone else has experienced this so soon after radiation or at all, I would love to hear from you here.  Thanks so much.  

poptart

I have heard of people finding themselves with broken ribs after radiation, with no known cause (other than the radiation) and with no cancer recurrence.  Your ribs are going to be more fragile now that you have had radiation.  It is nice that they are giving you an xray, but I think there is a very low likelihood that anything is wrong.  Did you have any diagnostic imaging done at your diagnosis?

sheila888

Dawn...Short time after i was finished with radiation I tried to go to some kind of normalcy and I scrubbed the entire floor. The next day the BC side was hurting so bad I couldn't take a deep breath.

They ordered an Xray nothing was broken but I was strongly advised not to do anything to aggravate that area.

Hugs I hope this helps you in some way.

And almost 5 years later when I over do it it gets uncomfortable.

Leah_S

Ribs and sternum that were radiated were sore to the touch and still are (though it is better). I finished rads in Aug 2009. This had nothing to do with mets - I have bone mets only to sacrum.

Leah

elimar86861

Unfortunately, it is a very normal side effect of the radiation.  I'm out of rads for a year now, and I still feel different on my treatment side...my ribs just a little tender to the touch.  Here's what I do:  I don't touch them.  Seriously, they are not bothering me when I do activities.  I keep hoping one day the two sides will feel the same.  I have been good about taking my calcium supplements and I'm hoping that whatever de-mineralization occured, it will build back up over time, but I honestly don't know if it works that way.

It's o.k. to have a doc check things out for you, but don't get too worked up or scared because it is very likely that it is all due to the radiation, "the gift that keeps on giving." 

LRM216

Yes, from time to time, my ribs, where my bra bottom hits on my side, does get a "bruised" like feeling to it.  It's my breast cancer side and the side of me that was radiated (although only my breast was, not my ribs).  I am one year out of rads and both onc radiologist and oncologist said it's totally normal. 

ByFaith

I don't know how much to properly thank all of you for your support today!  I've just returned from the hospital where I got my "bruised" rib x-rayed and I was as anxious as could be before your replies helped to calm me down.  It is such an incredibly mild bruise, and only upon touching, that in and of itself right now it's not a bother to me in the slightest.  I was just following up as an overabundance of caution.  I should have known the oncologist would order rib x-rays if I stated anything was out of the ordinary. 

I'm mad at myself now because when my college daughter called today she asked what I was doing (I was returning from the hospital) and I told her, and I believe I got her worried, although I definitely said all the kinds of things all of you said in your replies.  I told her I was just being overly cautious and she knows I'm a worry wart.  Still, I could sense the worry in her own voice.  I reminded her that the doctor made me promise when I was diagnosed NEVER to lie to her and so I was telling her about this, but I expected it to be some effect of radiation effect.  After the call, I could have slapped myself for having told her and worrying her before I even got the results.  She seemed fine when we hung up, but I know she'll still think about it.  She asked me today if it was life-threatening, and I told her the doctor said there was only a very rare chance of it being a recurrence.  She asked me, "But what if it is?" and I said "Then they'll probably do chemotherapy."  I tried to play everything down, because I didn't want my senseless worry to pass on to her.  She knows me SO well, and that I've been depressed and haven't been leaving the house, so I felt like I just couldn't lie to her when I was out in the car and had to tell her in the best light possible so she wouldn't worry.  I'm still mad at myself I didn't make up some other excuse, saying I was at a bookstore or something, at least until I knew.  

I may hear back today from the doctor today, and I hope I do, with very good news.  THANKS so much to all of you for helping me calm down in the meantime.  I loved the remark that radiation is the "gift that keeps on giving."  That gave me a chuckle.  Hugs to you all ..  

elimar86861

I can't take credit for originating that saying (much as I'd like to.)  If you read the rads threads, you'll see it pop up again and again.  Because of the general truth in it.

ByFaith

GOOD NEWS !!!  The oncologist's nurse practitioner just called to tell me my rib x-rays came back 100% completely normal !! No rib cracks, fractures, or anything worse.  She said it was rather common as an effect of radiation.  I told her she "made my day" and she did.  I'm so appreciative she didn't make me wait long; how thoughtful of her.

I also was able to text my college daughter and tell her the x-rays were normal and there weren't any "fractures or cracks or anything" and so now she wouldn't be thinking about it.  Reminder to self: never tell daughter about tests again until you know the results !

THANKS SO MUCH  to all of you for being my support while I waited.  I have very little support outside my home and what you did for me this morning means the world to me.  Major hugs to you all xo

 

sheila888

Dawnsm.... I sent you a PM

Sheila

LRM216

Dawnsm-

So glad to hear the good news, but I honestly didn't think it wouldn't be good.  Having said that, this rotten disease we all have never seems to have any rhyme or reason to what it's going to do.  We all have been scared, for whatever reason, and will continue to be at the slightest "unfamiliar" feeling or soreness - for the rest of our lives. That is the beauty of this forum.  Unfortunately for most of us, our fear, even if it's over something minor, oftentimes gets the eye rolls (which I hate) from family and friends and the usual "you are fine - the cancer is gone."  Sure wish I had their crystal balls.  At least with another "sister," our fears are always comforted and they hold our hands through it.  Not putting family or friends down at all, as I know they all get scared when we do too, they just try to be "strong" for us, but unless you have been diagnosed with this beast, you just have no idea.  So grateful to know there is someone, any time of the day or night, to help us through our fears. 

Wishing you all the best, always,

Linda 

walker7

These posts have given me peace of mind. I have had the rib pain for a few days now for the first time since radiation ended in April. Thank you!

njgirl001

I had radiation treatment all last summer (not the best summer I can tell you that!) I too have been having that bruised feeling and I was hoping by NOW it would be gone.  My cancer was in my left side but the bruising feels worse in the middle of my chest bone (between my two breasts (well ok between my two implants lol)....if I dont touch it, it doesnt really bother me too much BUT if I press down, my whole chest bone feels like it is bruised and tender to the touch.  I have been trying very hard not to run to the doctor every time something doesnt feel right because lets face it we all need to hope to try to get a bit of normalcy back in our lives, but I dont know about your girls but every little thing panics me.  It makes me feel a little better reading that others are having that same bruised feeling (not that I wish it on anyone!) just glad that it seems to be more common than I thought....the idea that we will all have to struggle with the aftereffects of our radiation for years and years to come is awful - This is my second time going through the whole journey of breast cancer.  The first time I had a double mas. and reconstruction and took tamoxifen, then 7 years later (last year) I found another very small lump right under my left implant and they took it out and then gave me radiation and now femara.  I hate taking the meds as I blame it on all my hot flashes, hair loss, night sweats, you name it!   Its nice that we have this forum so we can share our stories and our fears,  I have great family and friends but lets face it ...if you havent really been through it yourself, its hard to understand just how frightening it is and continues to be...it makes you not trust your body anymore.When I was diagnosed, I was in the best shape of my life, I had no family history and prided myself on eating right, not smoking and exercising and living right, and I got it so I try to tell all my female friends to always check themselves carefully and never assume it cant happen to you.