Thank you, you too xx
Hey all,
Just back from lympho clinic.
The good news I don’t have lymphoedema in my arm or shoulder but I do still have oedema (swelling) in bob at my scar site even though I can’t see it. The feeling of having a swollen upper arm is from the numbness and nerve damage and will very gradually improve.
The swelling in bob is (no prizes for guessing) probably caused by two surgeries followed by radio or, as the nurse put it, you haven’t completely healed yet and Radio may have caused trauma to my lymph system. Great.
To come to this conclusion she took loads of detailed measurements of both arms using old school tape measure and a pen.
She then used a small hand-held scanner which she touched onto my skin (in loads of places) which measures how much fluid is in the tissues. Painless but interesting all the same.
My levels around my arm and shoulder were fine but the scar on bob scored higher.
Treatment is Self Lymphatic Drainage daily excercises plus I have to wear supportive sports bras.
I was told off for letting bob go commando, which I admitted to doing 80% of the time as I find even the crop tops are uncomfortable. Apparently it can make this worse 
So, I need to go shopping on Saturday….grumble…groan…as I’ll need to try them on. I hate bl00dy bra shopping, can’t think of anything worse…hate it, hate it, hate it 
Will def need a 
Sat night! Then I must do my drainage exercises every day. How terribly glamorous!!!
She’ll then see me again in 3 months as she said 2.5 months post radio is still rather early for everything to settle. If I’ve not improved she’ll put me on a 6 week course of kiesentology (?) taping (like a flipping mummy) so I have been warned!
Jeez. On the one hand I’m relieved I don’t have it in my arm as I know that’s pretty much a one way ticket and difficult to cure, on the other #%*^%%#}}%^€ 
when will this 
ever end???
I don’t want to do special exercises every day. I don’t want to wear a wretched sports bra. I just want to feel normal again.
Rant over. Thank you for listening BBBs 
Grrrrrrrrrr
B xx
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What a pain in the bob!! 
Sensible Bra shopping ?? Can’t think of anything worse either… sounds like a job for a good Merlot or, in my case, a good mug of cocoa 
Good luck 
On the plus side, at least you don’t have lymphadema 
… as you say, that stuff seems to stay with you for life 
This BC lark is the gift that keeps on giving!
I join you in feeling like we all deserve a bloody break now! Jeez… it does seem never ending sometimes. My under boob is full of red veins and blisters! So I’m going commando as much as I can.
I’ve got another acupuncture session tomorrow though, so I’d better wear one then 
.
What are the drainage exercises? That sounds curious… 
Hay ho… at least it’s something you can work on- just another thing to add to your daily routine (yawn!)
I suppose I better go cream my own ‘bob’
again! God, the sheer glamour of all
I think I need a pair of scratch mittens…
Xx
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Oh lovely…. Sorry to hear what you are going through. Can’t you order a variety of bras online and try on at home in comfort. M&S and JL have quite quick deliveries. I’m totally with you on the bra fitting saga, I have to admit being very sharp tongued with the assistant trying to help me find post surgery bras. I’m sure it will work out, you are resourceful and definitely deserve red wine rewards at least you know what you are dealing with now and it can improve and be treated.
I finished radio today 
during my final review they really warned me about how RT keeps on giving 
Hearing all your stories and what you are all going through I’m getting anxious! I’ve been told it peaks at day 10… ffs 
Like you all, I just want this over!
I feel sore particularly down my throat area. Skin looks ok but I’m covered in epaderm cream. So holding on to my hairnet and waiting to see what happens with my poor, scarred smaller boob.
Thanks for keeping it real you lovely ladies. Take care and sending big hugs xxx
Hi lovely, oh my, all these bloody blisters! Sorry to hear you are still having skin reactions. Can I ask how soon after RT finishing did they appear? I’m just finishing radio now, and have been warned. They’ve given me 2 tubes of hydrogel already, so I’m assuming this is just to be expected?
I think the final review with the radiotherapy team has really freaked me out… they were very clear that I’m never going to feel the same again and will always notice a tightness in my left boob. Mentally I’m struggling with the scars still, not sure I can cope with more change Should I just be thankful?? Wtf.
Hope you feel better soon and thanks for all your support and stories to make us laugh xxx
Congratulations on getting over the line 
Is that us all done now, I can’t remember if Sheelagh has finished or not?
I’d definitely not plan anything major for 2 weeks time. I remember crashing on the sofa most of that weekend…get your party PJs ready 
Yes I am very thankful. I do have to tell myself when I have a downer that if it wasn’t for all the research that has been done and those who have gone before us who have helped with that I probably wouldn’t be here as my first diagnosis was worse than this one. I know it could be worse. Doesn’t stop the occasional dark moment though.
So I shall arm myself with positive vibes and head to the shops tomorrow. I’ve done some window shopping online so know where to target and shall follow up with (Pinot thanks) or 
or maybe both!
Have a good w/e BBBs, take it easy xx
Bxx
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Morning lovie,
Thank you, I tell you, this place is a bloody godsend! If I offloaded this lot on to my hb, I think he’d need a straight jacket, bless him. He’s wonderful but, where I am concerned, he gets seriously stressed…
Anyway, boob babe, mighty congrats on ringing that damn bell. Now buckle up for the gift that keeps on giving 
.
My old girl has been a game of two halves. First- fine & dandy in the energy dept until about day 5/6 then I got tired. By days 7-10 I got even more tired! My arm ached like a bitch and my girl had a crusty pimply rash and a blueberry hue 
- nice!
Then came the itch!
Then came the spread!
Then came the ‘Jesus, I can’t get bloody comfortable in bed…again!’
Then came the wee blisters
Then came the energy back… bit by bit
Then came the tears! God, all over the shop… blubbing at everything & anything (embarrassing )
Then it sort of eased off… party time
Then it came up again, but more intense, underneath about 2wks ago… not party time (insert groan here!)
Now I’m sporting a lovely dark red, veiny patch of blistery skin in the crease under my boob. It is getting better though, it’s just taking a while. My arm is aching every day and bits are weirdly numb. My girls are two different shades. One looks its age, the other looks like an aged wino that’s been on the booze and has that big red nose and ruddy cheeks!
I know that all sounds like a bit of a horror show; but in reality it’s just another part of our journey on the way to getting our lives back… we’ve all coped with an awful lot already, and we are all getting bloody fed up and want to feel like ourselves again. It’ll come. You’ll cope with this, as you’ve coped with everything else this little critter has thrown at you. It’s just another chapter. Deep breaths- head down- push on through . You’ve got a few days of relief before it kicks in. Enjoy them! Be kind to yourself. And, when you think about it, for those of us with rashes etc, we are still working and doing stuff, so it’s just a little itchy, red side show (although poor Charlotte had a much worse reaction to hers but she had two areas to zap, as opposed to most of our one). So, don’t panic and keep moisturising!!
Hay ho… it does feel a bit like the aliens have taken over but all the medics keep saying “oh, that’s quite normal”
It doesn’t feel normal to us, does it?
I keep trying to repeat : “buck up - you’re cancer free”
I think I need cocoa again… yes, it’s become a ‘thing’ … could be worse, I suppose. I could be craving pork pies and men in socks & sandles 
Oh, you’ve gotta laugh!!
Anyway hon, stock up on treats, plump your pillows, and keep blathering on your lotions & potions
The ‘best’ is yet to come but you’ll have a few good days before you need to punch something, whilst holding onto your sore boob and saying ‘ouch, shit!, that was exhausting…
… where’s my boob cream?’
Rock n roll!
Love & hugs 
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Thank you all you wonderful BBBs for my daily dose of laughter! I love reading all your brilliant posts and they always put a smile on my face 
! However, I know it’s not always sunshine and flowers and I can identify with some of the problems some of you are experiencing. Like miswoof-88 I too have a lovely bright red angry area in the crease under my right boob - and that’s 5 months after finishing radiotherapy!! None of my assorted bras is comfortable and getting into my PJs early in the evening is bliss! I also have what I can only describe as a fizzing feeling that spreads from my armpit where the lymph nodes were removed right up to my neck then subsides and lasts for just a few seconds but occurs multiple times a day! It’s not painful but is just bloody annoying 
!! My GP has told me that it’s just the nerves regenerating and could last for up to two or more years 
! The joys of being in the BC brigade!
Wishing all BBBs a great weekend. Keep posting the funnies
Pam
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Hi Pam!
Welcome to the “sore crease club”. It sounds like yours is same as mine.
I got up this morning and did a mirror dance to get a good look, and I think I’ve managed to rub a layer of skin off!!
I’ve been using a gentle cream called ultrabase,that a nurse recommended early on - before I started radio. But, I needed bigger guns for this underboob lark.
Charlotte recommended some gel called Flamigel RT (the RT being radiotherapy)
You can buy it on Amazon and other online pharmacies. It’s not cheap (about £25/30) but it is really is good. She had weeping blisters, worse than ours, and her radiotherapy team told her to use it. She kindly put me onto it and it’s good stuff. You might be able to get on prescription, but you can’t down here, so I just got it off Amazon.
It’s very cooling and stops the itch. But it also protects the skin and allows it to heal quicker.
Might be worth a try lovie??
I got the fizzing too!! … mine did it quite early on after surgeries but now it’s just sort of weirdly numb.
Not sure if it’s permanent or not but I suppose it will be just another thing to get used to. Looking on the bright side- if I get a mozzie bite there, I won’t bloody feel it!
Happy weekend boob babe xxxx
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Try Medi honey. My oncologist suggested it and gave me a prescription. You can buy it from pharmacies and Amazon but I do not know the price. My oncologist suggested I use it as soon as needed. It is really good, very soothing but really aids blistered skin. I used it when skin felt hot after radiotherapy sessions (15 in all) and had no blistering. Worth a try.
Sunshine21
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Thanks very much for suggesting the Flamigel RT which I’ve just ordered from Amazon. Anything that’ll help this horrible itchy sore area below the boob is most welcome! What Charlotte has sounds horrible and I hope she’s getting some relief from the product.
As for the fizzing feeling, it’s very weird as I don’t understand how my boob and upper arm can be numb and yet I get this crawling, fizzing sensation! Very strange and I guess is one of the many mysteries that this bc business throws up xx
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Many thanks for your suggestion. I’ve just ordered some Flamigel RT so fingers crossed that helps but if not I might try the Medihoney.
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Good luck. I hope it helps you too x
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Good evening lovely ladies
For those talking about blisters after RT all I can say is thank god for Flamigel RT! This really helped with the itchiness and the soreness all in one. All the blisters have healed and I just look like either only my boob has been in the sun or I haven’t washed under it for a year
I’m still really struggling with the back pain and as it’s been going on so long the oncologist isn’t sure if it’s a side effect now or not. I have my follow up with them in December but she recommended seeing the GP to get the ball rolling. After 4 days of ringing to try to get an appointment, and failing, my hubby walked into the surgery on Friday and as soon as the word oncologist was mentioned they swung into action and I was in that afternoon! I wouldn’t normally mention words like that but I guess there has to be some positives to cancer treatment! I have already had an X-ray and got a full blood count test thingy in a week or so. They are testing everything from cholesterol to white blood cells, thorough or what! GP thinks it could be as simple as a trapped nerve but thought a full mot would be good given my age, bloody cheek I’m taking ibuprofen like it’s candy just to get through the day and can’t stand for very long at all but I have a sit down job so that’s not too much of a issue. Off the Letrozole for 2 more weeks so let’s see if that makes any difference.
Reading all your stories is making me laugh so much, you are all completely bonkers
Hope you are having a good weekend.
Lots of love to you all 
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These are the creams that the hospital gave me. The pink one is a moisturiser for the whole boob and the orange one is the gel for the blisters and itchy skin. Both worked brilliantly. Just clean the area thoroughly with warm water first, dry thoroughly and then rub the creams on (you only need a small amount as it goes a long way). Hope this helps xx
Thanks so much for recommending the two creams, Charlotte and I’m so pleased that your blisters have now healed. I’m waiting on a delivery of the Flamigel RT and hope when it comes that it clears things up! Now all you need is for your back to heal too! It sounds very debilitating! Well done to your hubby for speaking up for you to get an appointment by mentioning the word oncologist! Sometimes you just have to use tactics like that to get seen. I was in a similar situation trying to get a GP appointment for an unrelated issue and was told the first appt would be 3 weeks hence and so I (rather naughtily 
!) used the breast cancer card saying I was about to start radiotherapy (true) and, as a result, was seen the same day! As you say, sometimes there are some positives to having cancer treatment!
I hope you get good results from the blood tests and x-ray and that you get some relief from your back pain soon. I’m still plugging away with the Letrozole despite some knee and shoulder joint pain, though it’s manageable so far! I just need to read some of the hilarious BBB posts to cheer me up when I’m feeling sorry for myself ! xx
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Morning itchy BBBs,
Well M&S came up trumps in my sports bra quest once I finally found a changing room with a lockable door (blokes wandering about to help their OHs as no assistants in sight!). I put myself into ‘JFDI’ mode and also took a sample of unwired ‘normal’ bras in with me. Couldn’t reach round to do the back clasps up so overhead pull ons it is 
When I left the store I saw an elderly (late 70s, early 80s) leaning on a bollard type thingy outside and she really didn’t look well so I went over to ask if she was ok. “No”, she said, “I feel really sick, I’ve got cancer and am having a bad day.” OMG I so felt for her 
. She reassured me she’d be ok and could get home so I really hope she did. Put it all firmly back into perspective for me 
Have a good week ladies and I really hope your itchy sore bits improve soon x
BTW does anyone know if @smak is ok?
Bxx
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Happy Saturday itchy BBB’s…
@bellalasagne1 sounds like you had a productive bra shopping day, if not at all enjoyable. That poor woman, hanging off the bollard! Yes, those sorts of encounters definitely give us a bit of perspective.
My old girl is still peeling, but the flamigel is doing its thing and it’s much less sore and angry red. I’m still walking around with surgical gauze flapping out the bottom, but it feels better with a barrier under there.
It does look a bit like she’s waving a white flag at her partner 
But, needs must 
Haven’t heard a peep out of Sheelagh, hope she’s doing ok…
Xx
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Hey, glad your bob is improving x
How’s everyone else doing?
I have a new gift (as in the gift that keeps on giving…), really high blood pressure! It’s flipping Letrozole bingo 
V long and boring story short… GP being useless, v helpful chat with BCN yesterday who has got me an appt with my surgeon Monday morning. I’m still not 100% clear on my stats, having been told 2 versions by Oncology so I’ll see what sense she can make of it all.
Hope you’re all ok BBBs?
Bella xx
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Hi Bella,
Sorry to hear about your bp. You’ve had a lot to put up with lovie.
Interestingly that is also what anastrozole did to me. My bp went sky high before I came off of it. it’s now back down to normal. My onc was very concerned about that and I think, along with the cluster headaches, she decided I should come off of them completely. I had, what she termed, ‘an unacceptable level of toxicity’ on them.
You definitely need another conversation about where you are, so I wish you luck.
Depending on your real stats, you might need a break from letrozole to give your body a rest too.
I’m much better now. Apart from the peeling boob (which sort of resembles an onion skin underneath) Im starting to feel like me, which is very nice. I’m putting my January oncology appointment to back of my mind for now. I just want to enjoy Christmas, feeling well.
I’ll think about exemestane next year!
All of us need to be able to function on these meds 
… and it’s no coincidence that we are all at about the same point on our journeys and we are all really starting to feel the side effects of our meds-and the rollercoaster that we have all experienced since our initial diagnosis
I hope you get some answers soon (and a chance to give your body a break too)
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