Radiation post reconstruction - anyone doing it??

I will have a UMX with immediate DIEP reconstruction this Friday. I will start radiation sometime in July.

Hi aff, I did not know you are having rads post reconstruction, we have one more thing in common. Strength for all of us this week. Stephanie

I had rads about 8 weeks after a UMX with DIEP.  The breast & skin held up really well as it was also built a little larger to allow for rads shrinking.  It did get a bit lifted and tight, but my PS was able to fix it in an outpatient revision procedure.  In fact, I think he pretty much took the DIEP apart and put it back together in a 45 minute procedure.  He also did some minor fat grafting as a touch up.  I declined a lift to the good breast because I am small so the difference was negligible. 

I was fortunate in the whole reconstruction process.  Because my tumor was high on the chest wall at the 12:00 position, My BS spared the skin and areola and the PS build the DIEP from that location, there is a small scar but I can wear anything.  I came out with a stage 1 nipple. 

From speaking with the RO, it seems that rads after reconstruction is actually pretty common around here (NY) although from reading these boards I realize that is not the case in most places.  No one suggested I delay it.

Good luck you will do fine!  Just keep up with the creams (aloe or whatever your RO recommends).  I was nervous too because especially after the rough DIEP surgery and recovery I certainly didn't want my new breast destroyed by radiation, but that did not happen at all. 

I'm almost halfway through rads, 12 of 28, and so far so good. I'm slightly pink but no skin reaction, no tightness yet and no itching, and no shrinking yet. I know it very early but I'll take each good day I have. Saw my PS on Wed and he was very happy with the way my skin is holding up. I won't see him again for 2 months. I won't have any revisions for at least 6 months post rads so I have lots of time to decide on nipple or not. 

Ladies, I had follow-up appointment with my PS yesterday. It has been three months since I completed rads. I am happy to report that everything looks very good. The left side that was not radiated looks excellent, the right side - radiated - looks very good. No adjustment needed. Both are symmetrical and the same size, everything looks perfect in swimsuit and when dressed.

Hi notbuying, yes I did have lymph nodes involvement and was radiated in the armpit. Good luck with your consults!

No tightness. I have been doing stretching exercises through chemo and radiation and increased exercise load since radiation ended. Do a 30 minute session with personal trainer once a week (muscle conditioning with low weights), 1-2 zoomba classes a week, a lot of walking, try doing a yoga class on Sundays - very good for stretching. My PS also recommended delicately "moving" the implant on the radiated side every morning (moving is not the right word I guess...) and I have been doing this since radiation ended. She told me to continue b/c shrinking and hardening might continue.

Speaking of Arimidex, I do have some stiffness in the joints that I never had before that is greatly helped by exercise and some increased vaginal dryness but no major side effects so far. No hot flashes, mood changes or sleep problems. Sleep is actually much better than while I was undergoing chemo. OTC lubricant is enough to take care of the dryness. Also, I was pre-menopausal at diagnosis and was put into menopause by chemo so I am not sure what it would be like even without Arimidex.