Radiation/Tramflap reconstruction

tracy77

My last day of Rads is tomorrow!!!   Yah 30 treatments; skin is a mess and VERY painful; I had an abdominal  tram flap 11 years ago and cancer returned on reconstructed breast...I am  beginning to have pain and muscle spasms on my tram flap; it is also beginning to swell anyone else experience anything like this???   With treatments ending and recovery within a few weeks it's a bit scary going back to work and going back to a normal life....my emotions are a mess; husband is financially supportive and helps around the house but his emotional support has not been here....amazing what cancer can do to a family, I can honestly say I understand how people grow apart and divorce after cancer..... thanks for reading and letting me vent!!!!

sbelizabeth

Tracy77...I'm so sorry you're going through a rough time.  I can't say I've walked the road you're on, but we're all here to support you. 

A couple of things to think about--

Are you suffering from depression?  Is it time to ask for a pharmaceutical antidepressant, see a counselor?

Is your husby disengaging because he's overwhelmed with the concept of losing you?  Is it time for some counseling there?

For me, radiation was the hardest part of all my cancer treatments, and the next person who says, "oh, radiation is a breeze" will be sorry!

sbelizabeth

Oh, by the way--how was the recurrence in your TRAM flap recon picked up?  Did you see something, did your markers go up, did you feel a lump?  Thanks!

tracy77

Thank you for your response and I agree with you 100% when people say radiation is a breeze....itisa nighmare for me....glad to hear you feel the same..... the cancer actually came back in the fold area of my breast and they were able to do a lumpectomy and it took forever to heal as it is always damp and dark under there..... my last 5 boosts have been to the lumpectomy sight will be interesting to see how this area heals.....   I am currently taking an anti depressent for the previous cancer and we have already done some therapy as my first round of cancer caused alot of retail therapy and bills...   thanks again and stay strong!!!