how much did you swell ..ooOO

Options
cookiegal
cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
I noticed some swelling after the first tx, and now after 3, even more. Not uncomfortable at this point. If I keep going at this rate you will be able to fly meSurprised in next Thanksgiving's Macy's parade.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    well...perhaps most did not have a lot of swelling! That's good news!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited January 2010

    Make sure it's not the beginning of lymphedema

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    that's my concern....I did talk to the rad onc who said some swelling is normal....but where the borderline is I have no idea! It has gone down a bit over the weekend, so that's a good sign, will see rad onc again wednesday.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited January 2010

    It might still be helpful to talk to a lymphedema specialist who can advise you on how best to control potential lymphedema swelling especially during rads as it can contribute to lymphedema. At my hospital there is a lymphedema clinic and they have been most helpful. It's usually nurses and PTs who are most knowledgeable. I am now going for regular lymph drainage massage and learning to do self massage in order to control possible swelling. Best wishes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited January 2010

    My irradiated breast swelled to twice it's normal size by 1 month after the end of rads and never went down.  Finally had to have a mastectomy to stop the pain, abscesses, etc.  I started out 42 DDD, at the end couldn't find a bra to fit the edematous breast. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited January 2010

    PS--that swelling was WITH lymphedema therapy.  My rad onc didn;t think truncal LE could be treated, so I did not get any treatment until months after rads was done, even though he identified the problem during the second week of treatment.  Of course, he didn;t tell me the swelling was a problem that was just going to get worse with continued rads either. . .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited January 2010

    most docs (even the great ones) don't know much about lymphemeda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    well...NM that's an answer!

    gulp

    hrf thanks for the advice!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Irishred
    Irishred Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2010

    So far I am not Impressed with my rad onc at all, hope you are doing better than that !!!!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    swelling is down a bit, had to see the nurse today about ugly red rash, will ask tomorrow about swelling

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited January 2010

    Hope things get better for you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    argh....this was better for a few days, now it is back.

    It kind of freaks me out because I had a bi-lat reduction with the lump, and it's almost like my breast is back to it's old size....it's like a horror movie where the body pushed back our of the grave "RETURN OF THE GIANT BOOBIE"

    So what constitutes breast lymph? My rad onc did not seem concerned, I will put a call into cancer support program, should I call my med onc? My ps?

    It just makes me nervous. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories