Hi,
It is almost one year since I had a mammoplasty to remove 3 small cancerous lumps from my left breast. I had a sentinal node biopsy and 19 rounds of radiotherapy.
I am 41, very fit and have always looked after my body. I trained for triathlon for over 10 years and more recently became a masters swimmer, swimming 4 times a week, so I can regularly be found in gym type clothing.
I found the surgery and treatment for cancer relatively easy to deal with, psychologically however I have and continue to struggle to come to terms with having had breast cancer at 40/41 and living with that for the rest of my life as well as not being able to have my own children now due to being on Tamoxifen.
Two months after my radiotherapy treatment, my left breast looked considerably swollen and I was told it was probably breast odema. I was referred to lymphodema specialist and had manual drainage regularly for 2 weeks. The manual drainage has had little effect. Today I had my annual check up and mammogram at the hospital, this is my first since my surgery and treatment.
The doctor was very nice and happy with my progress. I took the opportunity to ask about the differing size of my left breast compared to the right, ultimately asking will the breast odema get better and will I go back to a “normal” size and when would that be. He answered saying - "there are no guarantees! All I can say with any confidence is that the odema will not get worse so it will not get bigger than it is, hopefully it will reduce over time but it may not go away completely or it may not get better.
I am left feeling upset and annoyed. Today I look lopsided, the underwear I wear isn’t always comfortable as the sizing is not accommodating the odema. I spend a lot of time in swim training suits which leave nothing to the imagination, I have a lot of gym clothing that is tight fighting and I feel frustrated that I cannot wear these with confidence any more.
I know it is a small thing compared to the cancer piece but it just feels like one more “bash over the head” when you’ve been through so much!
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any advice?