Rib and Collar Bone tenderness

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J92
J92 Member Posts: 61
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hello everyone,



I am posting on behalf of my mom. In December she was diagnosed with Stage III tripple positive IDC. Since then she has had a modified radical mastectomy and she has completed 6 rounds of FEC-D chemotherapy and she has a week left of radiation. Her skin has been very red and tender from radiation and she is experiencing some firmness and tightness under her arm which from what I understand is quite normal. Also, about half way through radiation she has been having some slight rib and collar bone tenderness when she touches the area, she says it feels like a bruise. She has brought up the rib and collarbone pain to the RO and he said that it is completely normal and should eventually subside. The reason why I am posting is because I am more worried about the collar bone pain just because I have seen several posts about rib pain during rads but not many posts about collar bone pain. Her collar bone area is extremely red, so she is definitely getting radiated there and the RO was not concerned. I just turned 21 and I've always suffered from some anxiety, but since this diagnosis my anxiety has been through the roof and I'm always worried sick. When my mom brought up the collar bone tenderness to the RO on Wednesday and he said "you're getting radiated there too so that tenderness is normal" I felt so relieved, but now that I am thinking about it I cause myself so much anxiety and worry. Has anyone heard of or experienced any of this during radiation? I am actually more worried about this and think about this more than my mom does. If someone can help ease my mind that would be great. Thank you :)

Comments

  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited June 2013

    okay I want you to close your eyes and repeat after me

    Breath in deep-"the doctor said its normal" now breath out "it is normal"

    I remember my throat hurt during rads. everyone is different. be a brave girl. you can do this.

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Thank you for your reply...I know, sometimes I worry sick over nothing and I know that everyone's side effects are different, but I'm sure as you know this whole journey is one big scary rollercoaster. Despite all my fears I really try holding it together for my mom and I always try to think positive. Some days are just harder than others. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. Xo

  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited June 2013

    I was stage 3 last year and am ok one year on if that helps

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Aw thank you. My mom also had 7 positive nodes like you did.

  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited June 2013

    J92 it is a scarey ride. you guys can get through this. exercize will be key in prevention. am trying myself to get back n the swing of it. they say it cuts our chances a lot. I do certain things now, it gives me power over the fear.

    Like exercize it cuts reaccurance risk. I take certain supplements-fish oil, vitamin D are big ones that I believe in. I changed my diet-trying to be vegan-at least I am vegetarian at this point. its a hard diet. when i get scared I go over the things I do to keep this beast at bay.

    its okay to be scared. big hugs to you . my dd is your same age. I know she was horribly scared too.

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Thank you Fran. My mom has made some changes to her life style. Before she was diagnosed she always ate well, she bought most of our foods organic, she exercised....she was otherwise healthy and always kept on top of her doctors appointments and physicals...so that's what is a little frustrating. You do everything you're supposed to do and then you still get hit with something like this. However now, she's doing everything she was doing before, just a little more :) vitamin D is so important, her and I both take it daily and her doctor told us that that's something that helps with preventing breast cancer.



    I know it's okay to be scared, if I wasn't scared that probably would not be normal. Maybe part of why I am feeling this way is because her treatment is now coming to an end? How did your DD handle your diagnosis and how is she now?

  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2013

    J92, I know you have been knocked a loop.  My dd is older than you, but she still had a hard time with all this.  As she told me one day as I was having one of my days, Mom I love you, but you are not alone and I am going through this with you.  So yes everything she is feeling you are too.  With that said,(hope it came out right)  chemo brain.  My RO told me the same  thing.  The collarbone was the first thing to get burned.  I asked same as you all did and he also told me the same.  He said the rays were bounching around and coming out there.  God is with you all and this too shall pass.     (((Hugs))) to you and your mom.   You are a wonderful daughter... I know she loves you and is so proud of you...

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Sandiddstn, Thank you so much for your reply, it brought tears to my eyes. It helps so much to talk to people who have been through this because I don't feel alone. This is the scariest and most difficult thing I have ever been through but no matter what I will be there for my mom forever. She's my best friend and I will do anything to help her and make her feel better, I just wish I can take this all away frm her but obviously I can't. I am the type of person who likes to be in control, so the fact that I don't have control over this is what I am having trouble with. I'm glad it's normal for the collar bone to feel bruised or tender during rads. It's weird because the area that hurts my mom is more red and almost has a brown undertone to it? Like when you look at her you notice it and it looks like a brown/red spot on her collar bone and that's the tender area. I hope you are doing well now. I notice that you had the same number of nodes positive as my mom did. How is your daughter now? Have things gotten a little better now? I'm sure the pain and fear never completely goes away I just hope in time it gets a little better with time. Xoxo

  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited June 2013

    I will be 3 yrs in July and I still have tenderness to my ribs.  I have a couple tiny seromas also and they cause tenderness but they are to small to drain.  Hope this helps :)

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Thank you jennyboog...all the best to you :)

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2013

    J92, if you and your mom trust her doctor, then you can accept his advice with confidence.



    This is a very hard time for you and your mom. I remember what it is like to be your age, and it would not be easy to deal with a cancer diagnosis in the family.



    Can I suggest that you look into seeing a counsellor to help you work through this trauma? Talking with a professional could really help you put things in a more positive perspective.



    All the best to you and your mom.



    Come back any time you need to talk.

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Thank you Racy. I have been talking to a counsellor and it has been helping, I can't imagine how I would feel if I was not talking to somebody, however I just feel that unless somebody has experienced this its hard for them to understand your fear and how you're feeling completely. Talking to somebody has been helping though, but I think since her treatment is coming to an end every little pain or weird feeling is scary. I hope that gets a little easier over time...all the best to you!

  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2013

    J92, how are you all doing today?  My dd is doing better now that it has been 3 yrs. Calls every time I go to Dr. but for now I am dancing with NED...  She was going thru medical school at the time all this happened and she says there is nothing to prepare anyone for this.  Tell your mom to rest for now, there will be plenty of time to get her strenght back when all is over. 

    I have been walking and back to mowing my yard, working in flower beds again.  Oh get her a sleave, it helps.

    ((((Hugs)))

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Today was a little bit of a better day actually. I am thinking a little more logically I think lol. My mom is super burned from rads, today seemed to really do her in and that spot in her collar bone is 10x darker than what it was a few days ago. Its the darkest spot in the whoe area being radiated, you could notice it from a far distance! It's raw, itchy, dry, burned....all that crap lol, it only makes sene that she is sensitive there. She said its the most painful part out of everywhere being radiated, and her underarm of course. I'm so happy you're dancing with NED and I hope you dance with NED forever :) I'm glad your DD is doing a little better now :) I finished college (for now) and I honestly can't even begin to imagine what it would of been like had she got diagnosed while I was in school! I would not have been able to finish, in a way sometimes I think it happened for a reason since she got diagnosed a few months after I finished. However, had she been diagnosed while I was in school this stupid thing would have been found a little earlier :( oh well, I guess we will never know and there's nothing we can do. I'm working now but took some time off at the beginning and I'm fortunate enough that they let me take off any days I need to go to appointments with her. My mom has been resting since she is so tired from rads...I just hope soon enough things get back to normal, and I guess it's normal to panic over every little pain at the beginning?



    Jessica

  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2013

    J92, I'm glad you have the support of a counsellor.



    You are a tremendous support to your mom. Try to take one day at a time at the moment and make the most of each day. Trust the doctors and continue to be there for your mom, while enjoying your own life.



    Over time, you should start to feel better. This experience will give you a lot of wisdom in how to cope with difficulties.



    Keep in touch.

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Thank you for your kind words Racy. You know, as horrible as this has been and I never want to go through this again because it really sucks, cancer has brought many positive things to our lives. It's very strange. I mean I was happy with my life before lol and I don't think we needed this but there has been many great things that have come out of it. I already feel stronger as a person, and I didn't think my mom and I could get any closer than we were before but this has definitely made us have an even more special bond. She's my best friend and I don't know what I would do with out her. So looking at it in a positive way it's done some great things, but I think we all could have done with out it haha. I'm sure you understand where I am coming from.

  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited June 2013

    Yep, I had horrible collar bone pain due to the rads in that area.  Still, 7 years out and sometimes the purse strap hits just right and I feel it..not "pain" really anymore...but tenderness.  Normal, completely normal :)

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Oh wow thank you so much! Couldn't find many women who have also experienced this and I have been petrified, so thank you for replying to me :) that's so wonderful that you're 7 years out!!! I love hearing those stories :) thank you again

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    Bugs, one more question. Did you mention it to your oncologist and did they also say this was normal? Or did it just go away before you said anything?

  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2013

    Hey J92...just stopping by to see how you and your mom are doing.  Hope you all have a big 4th planned.  How is the collar bone doing?  It will go away, may be a little sore but this too shall pass.  These women are such a BLESSING.  I came here all the time, just to read.  It helped to know I was not in this a lone.  Did not post much but boy did I read.  lol  I was the one always walking down the hall but not talking...  I am stronger now and I guess I feel better and so will your mom and you also.  Just take one day at a time, one sec at time and before you know it... a year has gone by, then 2... 

    (((Hugs)))

    Sandi

  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited June 2013

    J92,  Something else to pass along to your mom: just like a sunburn, the area that gets hit the most and burns will darken a bit. I had a perfectly rectagular spot that was dark (and I'm normally a fair readhead). It lasted for quite a while—longer than a tan, and I bet if I looked hard enough, I could find a faint shape even today. The other leftover from the rads to my chest are lots of broken capillaries or "spider veins." I know if I was really concerned about my appearance, I could have those faded with saline injections. But a dab of my face foundation takes temporary care of them without the pain and expense of seeing a doctor.

    (And, even five years out, I have occasional rib and chest pain which I attribute to the radiation.)

  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2013

    Hey that makes since NancyD.  I have rib pain but never thought it was from rads.  Thought it was from tram recon.  See J92 we learn so much on these threads.  This is why I read a lot. 

  • J92
    J92 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2013

    You ladies are so amazing...I can't tell you how much I appreciate you guys taking the time to tell me your own personal experiences. It's eased my worry so much.



    Sandi, thanks for checking on me :) I am from Canada so this weekend is the Canada Day long weekend! We are just hanging out and having some people over. Tuesday is my mom's last day of radiation so I am having a surprise get together for her with some close friends and family :) gonna have a cake and order in some food. Tuesday is also when she meets with the Medical Oncologist so I am feeling a little anxious. I hope that's normal at the beginning??? I hope it all goes well. The collar bone is blistering! Makes sense why the bone is sore, As well as underneath her arm...this last week of rads has done a number on her skin. We did meet with the Radiation Oncologist this week and he reassured us that the collar bone tenderness and rib tenderness is due to rads...so I am feeling a little better. You're right, this site is a real blessing. Thank you so much for your kind words and for checking in on me. (((Hugs)))





    NancyD, thank you for sharing your experience. You and my mom sound very similar, instead of her having a rectangle shape on the collar bone like you had, she has an oval shape! I thought I was going crazy when I noticed that but I guess having some shapes from rads is normal after all! LOL. It's starting to blister now. I bet you're right that if you look hard enough you can still see the outline from your radiation...that stuff really damages your skin and probably leaves a slight permanent mark. I will be sure to keep an eye out for the broken capillaries. So far we haven't noticed them. Did that happen during or after radiation in your case? Congratulations on being 5 years out!! That's so amazing :) I love hearing those stories. (((Hugs)))



    Happy 4th of July to you ladies! I hope you all enjoy your weekend! Xo



    Jessica

  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited July 2013

    Jessica, sorry it took so long to reply.  I haven't been on bco for a bit.  I answered your PM :D

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2013

    Hi J92,

    I remember all the "bone pain" I experienced following treatment.  I do still get that.  I guess it's just something we survivors learn to live with after being depleted of all of our estrogenWink

    image

    Barb

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