Radiation recovery

StephN hope you continue to feel better.  I had a headache for a few days after my surgery.  I think it was after effects of the anesthesia.  It eventually went away.  It wasn't horrible, but there, nonetheless.  So glad you are past the surgery and on to the healing.

Kate, you are a tough gal to be able to get the dental work right after your rads were finished and now the breast surgery.  I hope the swelling goes down enough for you, but if not, you will be able to modify things.  I admire your courage to do those things.  I need dental work done too, and I am very nervous about it and my upcoming colonoscopy.  I don't even dare start on anything until my wbc comes up a little.  Merilee, is that what your problem was after rads?  The wbc?  I think you mentioned something about it previously.  Was it just the wbc or orther values too?

Laura, as if you haven't been through enough.  Now you have to deal with something else too?  As far as your skin holding up, they say after radiation no bacteria can live there for awhile, so that part might mean less chance for infection.  I hope your tests come back that things are fine, and you can just get on to healing up from this.  Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.  

Hi GiGil, Good to hear from you again.  Good luck with your WBC's, colonoscopy, and dental work.

Steph...I am so happy to see you posting.  It sounds like it all went well.  Get lots of rest and update when you can.  You will feel your strength return every day.  Hugs!

GiGil...I had both a colonoscopy and a right thyroid lobectomy after I finished rads.  Both went well and I have not had any problems since.

I have a question....I am five months post surgery.  I had just the lumpectomy, no chemo.  My breast is still tender and it is still swollen.  Not huge, but definitely heavier than my "good" breast.  My underarm near the sentinal node incision is also puffy.  Does anyone know if this is normal?  I see my breast surgeon next month so maybe he will be able to reassure me this is the norm.  I don't have any swelling anywhere else that I have noticed.

Merilee....glad you are okay hon.  Hugs to you! 

Welcome to all the new ladies here.  Best wishes and big hugs to all.

Gigil, Thanks for your words of encouragment. You are a strong lady too, and will do fine with your colonoscopy and dental work. The day of the colonoscopy is a breeze. They will put you out, so you con't feel anything. When you wake up you will feel fine too. The only thing that was aggravating was drinking the liquids the night before. I had a colonoscopy about a week before my memorable mammogram. You are one tough cookie and you will be good.

I am shopping from my chair in the living room :0)

Janis, my radiation onc told me that radiation makes the breast tissue more firm.  Mine definitely is.  I don't think it's swollen, but it is very tender.  I asked both oncologists about it when I saw them last week. They said the tenderness might last as long as a year.  I don't know if that helps?

My headache is gone, but the pain from the surgery is a bit worse today.  I'm trying to stay in my chair as much as possible.  I think I might've been up and around too much yesterday.  SO hard to stay down when I want to be outta here!  I'm not having menopause symptoms yet.  I start Femara a week from today, so know I will have some hot flashes then.

Thanks for the sweet notes.  It's so encouraging to come here and see how everyone is getting along.  I agree that it's so reassuring to know that whatever the issue is, someone else has probably had it before and can soothe the fears and worries.

XOXO!

Steph 

Congrats truebff

Way to go truebff!  You made it!

I'm six days out and my breast is a mess! yikes! Not only is it red and raw but it seems to have swelled and the inner pain has increased. anyone else get worse before it gets better?

Janis,

I am 6 months post surgery, and I have the same feeling you described - definitely a little swollen, both the breast and by where they did the snb.  This only started about a month ago, in October I was wondering what to get to stuff in my bra to fill up the cup, and now I don't need anything.  Also a little sore from breast to snb site.  I'm not feeling anything hard in the breast yet as people who have had rads describes.  I see my BS next month, will be sure to ask her about it.  Dreading the mammo beforehand, can't imagine how squishing is going to feel with all this extra fluid in there.

Pat

Merilee, How awful for you.  I am praying the results will be benign.

Oh Merilee, as if this year has not dealt out enough unpleasant surprises!  I am praying for a B9 report.

Thinking of you Merilee. Hugs and Prayers!!!

Now that you mention the skin Merilee, I have a fairly large patch of dry skin that I just assumed was eczema!  I have had that in the past.  It is itchy and dry.  Our skin is so tender right now, we are more prone to all of that stuff.