Radiation October 2018

Hi RiRi and all!

Thank you for posting this! I have been experiencing the same thing (last rad tx was 11/5). My soreness and swelling seems to come and go, getting better than suddenly getting a little worse again for no apparent reason. Nothing like it was during rads though, thankfully. My pecs and upper ab on that side (right below the breast) are very very tight. I try and do stretches every day to loosen them up, but if I miss even one day, it gets tight again. GRR. My RO said that the muscles get tight from rads, but I might also have some lingering cording from surgery, so I guess it's just a matter of keeping up with the stretches and hopefully eventually things will get back to normal. When I had my surgery follow up on 12/17, the nurse said that this is all normal and will go away with time, and recommended heat so I use a heating pad every night. PT will definitely help!

I'm kind of scared to jinx it, but I've been on Tamoxifen since 11/23 and have had no side effects whatsoever, except possibly a missed period (which was not a bad thing!).

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my rads sisters! Amen to the healthy part!

So glad to hear from others in the same boat. I finished rads on 10/30, and in the last week or so have been having tightness in my armpit and under my breast, as well as random intermittent soreness throughout my breast, almost like I had right after surgery. I'm doing gentle stretches everyday, and will try adding heat as well (thanks for the tip, mwlimelite!). In happier news, the only side effect I've been having from the anastrazole are horrible hot flashes. They were affecting my sleep and overall quality of life, so my MO put me on a low dose of Effexor. Within a day or two, the hot flashes were less often, less intense, AND I began sleeping better. Wishing you all continued healing!

Hi all, to a healthy 2019 indeed! I finished rads on 22 Oct and did experience tightness and random intermittent pain across the breast for weeks after that. I tried to keep up with stretches and can now say things feel more comfortable and looser. Because I had a BMX with implants below pec, my PS has kept me on Singulair for 3 months post rads to prevent capsular contracture which is worsened by rads. That has helped a lot.

Also doing well on Tamoxifen and Zoladex thankfully.

Best wishes to all.

Hello Dreamers, no cough on my end. I did do a CT scan post radiation and it revealed some effect of radiation but I'm not experiencing symptoms . My skin has also cleared like it never happened. I still experience stiffness in the arm and I'm thinking about physiotherapy.

Greetings, gals from the October 2018 rads group! Happy 3 year survivorship anniversary!

I have been thinking a lot about this whole cancer experience (typically do from July-Nov) and remembering how important it was to have this community during that time. So I thought I'd reach out to see how you are doing.

The pandemic has been rough emotionally, but I have managed to stay healthy. Have slipped a little from my strict exercise, plant-based, goody goody 2 shoes regimen, but I suppose that happens over time. I'm still staying away from sugar, which is important because THAT is a slippery slope for me. I'm on Tamoxifen and knock on wood, still not feeling any major side effects. Starting to heal emotionally, little by little. Some of the PTSD from that year has subsided and I don't freak out every time I slip away from healthy habits anymore.

How about you? I don't even know if anyone is following this thread anymore, but thought it was worth a shot!

Gentle hugs,

Michelle

Green Harbor, I'm so glad to hear you are doing well and staying healthy! Thanks for the update. Lucy looks adorable and so snuggly! Cheers to many more positive reports from our sisters here.

Love and hugs!

Michelle