swollen, painful breast 5 months post rads - will it go away?

daisydaisy

Deall all! I am a caregiver to my mother, who completed rads on September 5, 2016 (lumpectomy in May 2016, SNB). She developed severe radiation pneumonitis immediately after and was on steroids for 2.5 months. Soon after she weaned off sterodids, her breast became warm, heavy, swollen. She also experiences pain in her breast and armpit, in her chest on that side as well. She saw her surgeon and mammologist, breast US is normal, chest CT is fine, too. She did develop some fibrosis in her lungs. Now, her main complaint is that she "feels her breast". Like there is something going on with it all the time.

She was referred to a PT, who gave her 3 sessions with Hivamat device. She felt immediate relief, but then we had to go back to our home town (travelling 500 km one way for treatment), and were unable to get the same device here. So our plan is to go back for another 5-7 sessions or how much is recommended.

If anyone may share their solutions to similar issues and for how long they usually last, if not forever. I am trying to comfort her saying it does get better, etc. But she kind of wants to know the deadline. I feel very sorry for her, as this is her second primary cancer, bowel in 2013. She had an open surgery then and now has a big hernia and a large keloid scar. She's been through a lot.

I would really appreciate any advice on what you are doing - massages, medicines, exercises, etc.

Thank you everyone for being here for us. This forum has been a huge blessing. We are in Russia, but I feel very close to everyone and very grateful for other ladies' experiences shared here.