Radiation with tissue expander

Hello Carolyn2008,

I saw your post from December 2009 on the TE with rads thread. I am new to the discussion boards, just found them several days ago. They are so so helpful.

I have a question- how did you do with the TE after you finished the radiation? Did you feel any tightness on that side? Did you feel any pulling of the radiated breast upwards?

I feel a tightening of the pectoralis muscle tendon. The tendon where the pec muscle attaches to the humerus has become tighter, and is bothering me somewhat all the time. Did you experience this?

I was diagnosed with DCIS 12/09, had bilat Mx with TE 1/20/10. Then found out i needed rads, finished rads 4/12/10, so almost 3 months ago.

Thank you fo ryour time.

Donna

Kerry,

 Thank you  for the info. What type of stretching exercises do you do ?

I had a bilteral mastectemy in May 2010, post chemo, and radiation began the end of July. I also had radiation with tissue espanders.  I had complications, major swelling (500cc of fluid drained from right breast) and then developed a staph bacteria infection, which after two rounds of anti-biotics is still an issue.  Don't know if radiation was the cause but I was fine the two months prior to radiation.  I was in so much pain that I did not finish radiation.  If my infection and swelling don;t go away my expanders will have to be removed

My surg onc said, gray area, chemo and ps said didn't need, or at least if they were me, they wouldn't. Rad onc, I don't trust her.  My first meeting she tried to convince me to do lumpectomy instead of bilateral mx.  I have just called to get a second opinion from a rad onc. But for some reason, I have to wait for the original to give me her advice. My docs were a team but apparently are not talking to each other. I can not get a straight answer from the rad onc. I was told I am running out of time to make my decision, which is weighing heavy. I want to do what is best, but I have no idea what is.  I have TE right now. One lymph node positive, clean margins. I am also having problems with lympheda now. This should not be this hard.

Hi Spunky,

Did you have any surgery after the RAD's? If so how is the skin healing?

it's been many years...but I am happy to answer any questions I can. I had radiation with tissue expanders in 2009 and exchange surgery in 2010. All went great. I'll answer whatever I can. Good luck

The pain was tolerable. It was not bad at all and yes I was able to sleep on my side. I also waited more than 6 months for the exchange. Of course the implants are way more comfortable than the expanders but it was all o

InGodshands - be sure to check out fat grafting before having your exchange surgery. It does wonders to help improve the integrity of your skin after rads. Many of us here have had fewer difficulties after rads, if we have the fat grafting either prior to exchange or at time of exchange to permanent implants.

Great thread. I have had TEs since BMX Jan 29, 2014. Chemo April til end of August and #6 rads tomorrow. Been a lot longer journey than what I had expected. Damn lymph node!

It will be Juneor July before I exchange. Having the turtle shells for 9 months I can tell you all it does get better.

No pain, really used to how they look with clothes and hoping the implants are similar. Really, really miss the feeling of real breasts, though.

My PS would have preferred second stage before rads but my Mo disagreed and we all agreed in advance that what he said we would do. I can't feel any issues with the expanders yet with rads .. I will keep you informed, though.