Breast changes 1 yr post treatment?

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Kkubsky
Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
edited July 2017 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

It's been 18 months since my DCIS diagnosis and a little over a year since I completed radiation. I have had 2 mammos and ultrasounds along with clinical exams every 3 months alternating with my RO and BS. All good so far. I have an 18 month post diagnosis clinical exam appt with my BS on Wednesday. I am getting nervous as I always seem to do right before an appt. But this time I am really getting worked up.... I feel like my treated breast has gotten larger. It has always been bigger than the other one and of course it was swollen after treatment. But then it shrunk, which I was quite happy about since I wouldn't mind being a smaller cup size!! But now it appears to have gotten larger again. I have convinced myself that it must be a recurrence or IBC. Glad I have the appt in 2 days so I can get checked out but the next few days are going to be looooooong.

I think (I hope) that breast changes are normal after radiation, even after a yr.....

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited July 2017

    Kkubsky, I don't really know about changes after a year, I had mx (hence no need for rads), but I just wanted to say I understand how anxiety provoking it can be to feel right before an appointment, especially if you feel like you've got changes. Try distracting yourself until your appointment, keep busy with home projects (deep clean something) or go for walks, binge watch something on Netflix. And don't forget to breathe. So glad your appointment is already scheduled for Wednesday and good luck for the "all clear"! ((hugs))

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2017

    I guess it just never ends.... I am trying to stop looking in the mirror comparing the girls all day. I don't think I ever studied them as much as in the past week. I have never been good with self exams. I always have felt lumps and bumps. I really am my own worst enemy.

    I did get really nervous when I had my 1 yr mammo/us. And what a wonderful feeling after the all clear. I kind of wish I was scheduled for some imaging but I am now on an annual diagnostic basis and not due till January.

    I tend to "shut down" when I am nervous as opposed to trying to keep busy. I would love to be able to just sleep through the next 2 days. Thankfully I have some Ativan that I think I may have to take to settle things down a bit....

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited July 2017

    Kkubsky, if there is anything concerning, your doc can order imaging. Try to remain as calm as you can, take the Ativan if you need to. Sending you positive thoughts and warm ((Hugs))

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2017

    So I just found out my appt is not tomorrow, Wednesday. It is Thursday. Normally this is no big deal but I have been getting myself all worked up and just want to get this appt over with. I thought by now I would not be so nervous. And for a while, I think things were settling down. But for whatever reason, I am really losing it again. I hate worrying about every little change or pain or whatever. I feel like it is never really over...well for me anyway. I admire those of you that can think positive and move on. I just feel stuck. Everytime I think I am ok, something knocks me back again. Sorry for the negativity....just can't seem to get past it at the moment.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2017

    still totally freaking out. I have been looking on line for something to reassure me that change is normal after surgery and radiation. But most of what I read is within the first few months. I am glad I have my appt tomorrow but also dreading it at the same time. Guess it's time for some Ativan

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited July 2017

    For what it’s worth, my breast changes continued for several years after radiation .... it took probably 2-3 years before I finally had the “shrinkage” that was supposed to happen. Being perimenopausal, I’ve had cyclical swelling/shrinking for quite some time so it’s hard to pinpoint any exact patterns, except that the “bad” one was always 1/2 cup size bigger than the other and I noticed a few months ago they are now the same size. Don’t know exactly when that happened though.

    Hope you get good news at your appointment. You’re really not that far out of the process so I’m not surprised you are still having lots of anxiety. I will say, with the 5 year mark approaching in November that I am MUCH less anxious than I was in the first 3 years after diagnosis ... hopefully you will find the same.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2017

    thank you so much annette47 for posting that! I have been really getting myself worked up. I did ok last check up 3 months ago so this reaction is taking me by surprise. I thought maybe my boob was done changing but maybe not. I will be delighted if it changes just one more time...to shrink a bit and match its sister. Good to hear from someone who experienced ongoing changes.

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  • Kkubsky
    Kkubsky Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2017

    all normal

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited July 2017

    congrats Kkubsky! that's great news

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited July 2017

    YAY!!!

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