Four months after RADs --question. Please help

Rachel1

I'm 4-1/2 months out from RADS. My scar where they did the lumpectomy sometimes hurts; as does the scar under my arm from the lymph node dissection. My skin on the rads side is tough and leathery.  My breast feels tight and firmer(fuller) than the non-radiated side. Is this normal?? It's the same with the clavicle area.  Does the radiated side ever go back to feeling like a nonradiated breast?? 

 I guess I just don't know what feels normal. After rads I barely touched my breast. I wore camisoles and baggy shirts. Now I've started working out and wearing a sports bra. I don't know if all the activity and bra are irritating.  I'm so freaking tired of worrying about what's normal!!

Thanks for any insights.

Rachel 

elimar86861

It's all normal.  The nerves are still healing and re-growing in both surgery sites, they could still give you a twinge now and then even after a year. 

As far as getting the treatment one to match up with the untreated one, you will get there too (or at least fairly close.)  It just takes more time. I'm almost two years out and my radiated side is about 90-95% like the other in look and feel now, not counting scars.  I still have the faintest of tanline, even after all this time.

LindaKR

See a certified lymph therapist to rule out truncal/breast lymphedema.

mrsnjband

Hi Rachel,

Your skin will probably stay a bit leathery but what concerns me, is that you say it feels tight & fuller.  You could possible be developing lymphedema.  I started having tightness & swelling and I didn't even realize it. I think you need to be evaluated by an LE therapist. I started seeing one last fall & she taught me how to do the manual lymph drainage. I am doing much better since then. I got my referral from my breast specialist.  NJ

Rachel1

NJ,

Can you get lymphedema in the breast? I thought it was just an arm thing.

Rachel