Winter 2013-2014 Rads

Bondsy - yes I also have pains under my arm & along the side of my radiated "breast".  Since I already had implants in place, the pain is sort of a 1/4 circle around the side to bottom of the implant.  I finished Rads 2-1/2 months ago.  I did discuss the pain with both my surgeon and my MO and they don't see a problem.  My RO originally said there will be changes in the tissue & muscles for 2 years after Rads.  Yuck!!  I agree exercises do help.  I'm going to try using very light weights in June and I've been cleared to start back to water aerobics even though I still have a port & will continue Herceptin for the rest of the year.

Hi bondsy,  I finished my rads in Feb. and have been having physical therapy due to the same thing you're describing.  It also involved my forearm and hand numbness as well as range of motion restriction.  The numbness is much better, but still have the aching under my arm and next to my breast.  The physical therapist massages the area and has given me some home exercises with a band to do.  Although it's much better, the soreness is still there.

5 months post rads

Deep aching under breast deep inside on the chest muscle and rib; yes still; started Day 5 of rads

Feeling of heat pack issues; yes; feels like you can fry an egg on the spot; started Day 5 of rads

Hot and cold chills; yes; started Day 5 of rads; out of the blue these will happen; frequency has not changed for me. 

Try small ice packs available from your Dermatologist (who specializes in facial treatments via laser or injections) placed in a small white 100% cotton ankle sock and placed in your bra or compression garment. Works much better than pain meds.

*****

Lilyluv; Feb 12, 2014 04:55PM 

Lilyluv wrote:

Question for you pros...have any of you had deep aching underneath your breast  deep inside like it's your chest muscle or rib? (tumor was very close to chest wall and surgeon couldn't get a good margin there).   Also, right after rads, it feels like I have a heating pack implanted in there - handy in this cold weather! But it feels like it's coming from within and not from my skin.  Skin is just a faint pink until the next morning and I had that last week with none of this internal burning sensation.   Is it also common to get some minor chills on and off, once you start to feel some of the burn?   This is day 8.  

Hi gals - I haven't been here for a long time, and am happy to say so far so good.  I'm headed for my first post rads mammogram and have suddenly noticed my breasts are totally different sizes.  I guess I just haven't paid attention or inspected myself in a mirror.  I've had some of the vague pain I've read about in your recent posts, but haven't been worried or had any functional problems.  I just was surprised when I actually took a good look and saw how very different they are now and were not that different right after lumpectomy and rads.  Any of you noticed the same thing?

AndreaJ50 - It's quite a noticeable difference.  The nipple of my right breast is at least two or three inches lower than the breast that had surgery.  I don't really care I guess.  I'm 67 years old and nobody else is here to care.  It just took me by surprise when I suddenly realized that.  I seldom look in the mirror beyond my face and the sad muffin top above my waist.  Since I'm wearing unstructured bras these days both cups seem to fit because of the elastic.  It's just when there is no bra that the difference is obvious.  There are no full length mirrors in my bedroom to see myself in PJs.  I noticed when trying on a new bra.

Yes that's exactly it EllenKC.  I know people talk of having a plastic surgeon, but I never even considered it might be on the breast that was not treated.  I've always wanted smaller breasts and now I have one!  But even if medicare would pay for plastic surgery on the other breast, I don't think I would do it.  I'm pretty queasy about any surgery and think I'd rather deal with it.  But who knows?  Thanks all for this open discussion.  Where else can someone go for this stuff.  

Aussielovergirl - . I too am sore sometimes. Mine is Monday and meet with RO on Friday. I do worry about the mammogram. And also the results. I have the mammogram at the local hospital just like before, but the RO is at the is at the cancer center some miles away. I don't really know if the local radiologist reviews the results. The surgeon warned me they will takeouts more pictures than just a regular screening and not to be alarmed. That was my first clue last December that something was wrong. They kept sending me back for more with no explanation. And then an ultrasound before the radiologist came to see me. Ugh I'll be glad to get it over with and hope we both are fine and pain free. 

Mimi and Aussie: I've actually got less sensation this time around, so first mamo this time wasn't bad. First time I had cancer, there was more sensitivity. Mammo wasn't fun, but basically a few minutes of discomfort. You'll live!

DO NOT BE ALARMED, though if they show you the pictures and there is a big bright spot if you had a lumpectomy. Since my first lumpectomy, and this was 1 cm tumor, a bright spot about the size of a quarter showed up. Turns out, as is usually the case, that is just scar tissue. Has been stable now for over 8 years. Interestingly, my second lumpectomy, for a slightly larger tumor, doesn't even show up. When they went to do the boosts during rads, they couldn't even locate it on CT-scan, had to check manually to find the right spot.

 At this point, I always ask to see the picture rather than wait and worry. I have seen them enough that I would recognize any major change. Could show bad news some day, but I typically prefer certainty (even bad news) over uncertainty. My second mammo is due shortly, need to get that scheduled.

Ellen

I had my 6 month post-rads check with the RO.  Was hoping for some answers to pain & she said Radiation Fibrosis and truncal LE.  I'm scheduled for a PT evaluation but they couldn't work me in until October.  Had an Ultrasound to try to rule out another recurrence but it just shows the edema.  Oh Joy.

I did the 3 week treatment. It was harder on my skin and wound. My wound burst open after my rads and after my first diagnostic mammagram. I wore bandages after each instance because I was still trying to work. I am glad I didn't have to go longer, but you have to be strong.

*Anxiety and Insomnia*

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Mouse - so sorry to hear about the continuing problems. It doesn't sound normal to me. Have you been back to see your radiation oncologist? If not, I'd give him a call. I see mine every 3 months for the first year.