I was told that the radiated breast would become smaller, firmer and perkier, in my surgeon’s words! And would probably not change in size if I lose or gain weight.
There are obviously some fairly major changes to that breast after radiation, if you think that you can usually no longer opt for reconstruction with an implant on that side as the skin won’t stretch. So any future reconstruction has to be a flap I think, because then the skin comes from elsewhere.
I saw two surgeons to discuss my options, as I either had to have a mastectomy or a fairly major lumpectomy with breast reduction surgery and symmetrising surgery to the other side at a later date. One surgeon was adamant I’d have to wait for at least two years after radiotherapy to wait for all the changes to that side to finish.
The other said he thought six months would be enough. I know some surgeons operate on both sides at once and make some sort of allowance for shrinkage. Makes us sound like jumpers in the wash!
Taz my radiated boob is like that too! Bigger than the other one and quite firm! Not used to wearing these big cover-all.bras…I was always in little padded balconette numbers:) had a long day out taking myself on a trip to the theatre.Came out a different door and with my chemo head got completely disorientated and lost!!Ended up practically running to the bus station and felt like I’d done a marathon…Then did good shopping when I got off.Could barely move this morning…oh what fun this tiredness is! Still glad I went…have to give myself a talking to every now and then to be a bit kinder to myself.
Hello Jak - I finish on Friday! Can’t believe how quickly 4 weeks has gone! Is it strange to say I’m quite going to miss my daily trek to the hospital. My oh has worked from home one day a week, and we’ve combined the hospital visit with lunch out which has been lovely. in fact he’s taking me twice this week as he has a dental appointment in the morning so will work from home tomorrow as well as Friday.
I’m cooking away nicely post rads - looks like I’ve only exposed a big square around my left boob to the sun.! Off this week so fully intend to give my body the chance to recover. Was shattered Saturday but had a lot of energy yesterday so met family for brunch- then went to see LaLa land and then had dinner. Will all catch up with me today no doubt!
Jak - hope you have a less tiresome week ahead
Taz - I was told my boob would feel like I’d had a boob job before it softens and becomes smaller.
Treeze - that’s funny you getting lost!! After a daily train journey to the hospital for 4 weeks, me and my pal got in the wrong train home from my last appt!! A 15 min journey ended up taking over 2 hrs - we were starving lol
Jane - your last week - woohoo!!! Will fly in too. I’ll miss the chat with my pals and meeting other patients this week - make the most of your lunches ?
Dizzy & Helena - you both keep me in check!! I need to remember not to overdo it this week. Hope you’re both ok
Think you all know this, but my mum has dementia so we’ve not told her anything about my situation in case it causes any issues for her. So for 4 months we’ve done really well. Was chatting to my dad on the phone on Thursday - telling him that I’d seen the nurse etc etc - then he says “how do I get this off speaker phone”!!! My heart sank! My mum was asking me all sorts of questions - managed to get away with saying I’d burned myself … hate lying! Anyway - she’s not said or asked anything since. Sad in one way - but I’m relieved in another. I look back and laugh … who’d have believed it!
I guess you must have had quite a good hospital experience if you’re going to miss it! I hated the whole thing and was desperate to stop. But my appointments were early morning so I was often back home by about 9, then my husband would start work. He worked from home the whole three weeks and drove me every day.
I think there is a bit of psychological thing about stopping rads, while we’re doing them we’re still being treated , in some ways that’s quite comforting. And people know we’re still in active treatment. We know that it’s not all over once you have the last one, but it’s a well kept secret. I had a friend whose husband had prostate cancer and had six weeks of radiotherapy, she told me that it was nothing, he wasn’t affected at all, not sore, not tired. So I sort of felt that I wasn’t supposed to have any tiredness if her 76 year old husband could do twice as long and be fine. Though we get a higher dose in that shorter time.
When I asked the radiographers, they said that the effects are usually related to the size of the area being zapped, prostates being much smaller than a full breast. And bigger boobs would have a bigger amount of tissue than smaller ones, which I think is one reason for why some people get more side effects than others.
I’ve just been reading to catch up. It’s really interesting to hear about how the RT works, I had been wondering although to be honest I haven’t researched it in case I accidently read something I’d rather not know. The thoughts about size of area being treated dictating how you feel during treatment and recovery time also make perfect sense. Dizzy you are a fount of knowledge. :heart:
I would say that my treated boob (right) was bigger during RT but now 6/7 weeks after is definately smaller than the other. I don’t think it is noticable to anyone but a very interested observer. I guess it is a small price to pay but it is a daily reminder isn’t it.
Love to everyone being zapped this week. Jak, I hope the rash settles and you feel more comfortable soon. And Helena, I don’t think I’ve had one of the light-headed spells for a couple of weeks now, so they are on their way out for you soon I would say.
Sorry I haven’t had a chance to catch up on the news but hope you are all doing well and getting through it all as best we can.
I’ve been ok until more recently where I have started having problems with anxiety levels. Its come a bit out of the blue and not really sure what specificaly it’s linked to. Possibly as I’m starting a very slow phased return into work? Maggies centre recommended I see a counsellor which I did yesterday and she thinks its Post Traumatic Stress and time should help resolve it. I hope so as it’s becoming increasingly hard to function daily without total concentration on the simeplest task. I’ve got some follow up appointments on Friday. Onco/rads and breast nurse so not sure what they will entail.
On a another note just thought i’d tell you my daughter had her hair cut specifically to donate to the princess trust wig charity. Her hair is her trademark so to speak very distinctive and was very long, and auburn. she had 35cm (14inches) off! Now it’s shorter she has the curl to deal with …but a small price to pay
Anyway off to order a new bra with pockets for cilla the sillicone beast - best contact the mortgage company the prce they are - even without VAT.
Have a great day all… just thought should I be posting on the moving on section now ???
Hi Polly, I wondered how you were getting on! I have Bertha, but I don’t use pocketed bras, she sits nicely in my pretty underwired ones and doesn’t move, so I feel human again. Except forgetting she’s there when I get undressed, and she falls out at my feet and makes me jump.
I think we’ve all found that the emotional and psychological effect of having this is as big an issue as the physical side of treatment. I have always been prone to bouts of anxiety anyway, but I find my confidence is easily knocked, and I’m so glad I don’t work because I think it would be very difficult for me as things are.
Jak, first we need to decide where we want to go, I need to sit down with my husband and make a decision before we find everywhere is booked. I usually prefer somewhere fairly remote and scenic, preferably with mountains. A couple of years ago we went to Shropshire, more or less on the Welsh border, and that was amazing. And deserted, it was lovely to find somewhere that wasn’t overrun with tourists. Last year we had a cottage in the South Downs, after the first biopsy and visit to the surgeon, before the second biopsy and final diagnosis. So I knew it was cancer, just not how big it was, though I’d pretty much worked it out for myself. So it was a bit of a grim holiday really, and it’s time we built up some better memories.
Well I have now done more hours than last week so see how I get on this afternoon, but I feel fine on the whole, fingers crossed it stays like that.
Well I am nearly three weeks post rads finishing and everything is looking good, the dark “tan” of the boosters is fading well and I have had no breakdown of skin so hopefully that means I have got away with it.
Horrible here today really grey and cold so I think it is an afternoon in front of the TV for me then.
Dizzy if if you’re looking for hills and remoteness, Costa del Scotland has lots of that! Or is it too far for you?
Im having one of these horrible tired days today. Just about to head out for a walk - honestly can’t be bothered doing it but know it will help. Still not stepping that well - went to holland & Barrett for sage tablets but they (unexpectedly) had a choice, so I didn’t know which ones to get. Does anyone else take them? My hot flushes are now periodically during the day and night.
Polly that’s a great thing your daughters done. I see you’re on Tamoxifen - how long have you been on it and how do you find it?
How nice to be welcomed with open arms but to be honest I didn’t expect anything else from you lovely crowd.
Tamoxifen appears to be going without too much hitch dare I say. Arly I started about same time as Helena end November.
3am I think I may have a type of flush but nothing spectacular. Dont want to speak to soon as i do have some ongoing gyni issues being looked at and so they may relate tamoxifen in with that. Alls good though in scheme of things.
Dizzy- I was told to leave the underwires until at least April so the granny ones for me still.
I did laugh at your flopping on floor though. I’m so pleased yours is comfortable. I’m still not sure I’ve the right size …it seems too big. Will ask bcn on Friday.
Other half coming in now do best pretend I’ve been doing something (as if!) x
Thank you as always ladies.
Dizzy where did you purchase such item can I ask?
Helena well done on the uplift and extra hours.
An inspiration the pair of you.
Ps despite being told not to I have tried my wired ones a few times. Seems ok to be honest. I agree with you dizzy about needing to feel good
I think I must be the only one, over 2 months after the surgery, not to be comfortable in a bra! I’ve had troublesome cording below my breast and the bra is just too uncomfortable and since my rads even my secret support vest is uncomfortable, so just wearing a loose cotton vest. Problem is the dressing I have for my blisters needs to be held on with something - can’t be taped because the skin is too fragile - I’m ok if I don’t move, but keep finding squares of polymem around the house! Only 2 more sessions - never before has my breast had so much attention paid to it - had 2 of the radiologists closely examining my blistered nipple today - unfortunately my boosters are over the nipple too.
Polly - my BCN suggested some counselling sessions as I’m struggling emotionally a bit, not sure how much is the emotional trauma of a cancer diagnosis and how much is a side effect of the anastrozole. Now the rads are coming to an end, the fact there was a query over the other breast is growing in my mind - I’m having an MRI in May so they can compare it to the one in November - feels at the moment like its a never ending stress. Have my first session on Saturday.
Jane
I think the issue with wired bras is whether the wires are going to rub on any surgery site, or a sore area from rads.
My surgery scar is round the areola, so a long way away from the wires. And I didn’t have any nodes taken, not even a sentinel node biopsy, so there are no node scars for the wires to catch.
And I wasn’t sore in the under boob area from rads, just slightly tanned, so that has also been okay.
Jane, bless you, that sounds really miserable, I hope it starts to improve soon. And last day tomorrow? So the end is in sight.
Polly, I’m sending you a private message about the prosthetic.
Jane that sounds horrible - my blisters didn’t start until after rads; they presented as itchy blisters that pop and go red. Seem to have stopped erupting now. Luckily they didn’t reach nipple. I haven’t been able to wear a bra yet either (never had wired ones). I’m still wearing larger crop tops over a vest (elastic irritates skin) just for support. When I try the bra it cuts across scar and is too tight. I don’t want to buy new as I think I’ve shrinkage to come. I’m sorry you have to have other side looked at. I had an MRI of both before surgery but still wonder as lobular is so hard to spot. Jury’s still out on Anastrozole emotionally otherwise nothing to report so far.
Anyway-last one tomorrow!! Be prepared for a bit of a virtual party!
I was marked up for my boosts today - should have been yesterday but they were running late again. Now my boob is covered in pen marks and clear plasters, doubt whether they’ll last till Monday! Can’t say I’m looking forward to next week
Been so lucky that apart from the redeeming-and darkening -skin and fatigue, I haven’t had any other skin problems.My scar too is on the areola and underarm which has got right but no blisters or broken skin.Wonder if having oily skin has helped that?..
Well that’s me done and dusted with radiotherapy. Mixed feelings today really - had a little weep on my way there this morning but held it together with the lovely staff at the radiotherapy centre - took them some chocs too as everyone has all been so good.
Now lying on the sofa with a cup of tea, little dog and hot water bottle and think I might have a nap as my eyes feel very heavy!
Well done Jane …ding dong the bells are ringing!
It is an emotional time I shed a tear as well as I remember. Dont forget to nurture yourself these next few weeks. Time is our great healer! X
Bigger than the other one and quite firm! Not used to wearing these big cover-all.bras…I was always in little padded balconette numbers:) had a long day out taking myself on a trip to the theatre.Came out a different door and with my chemo head got completely disorientated and lost!!Ended up practically running to the bus station and felt like I’d done a marathon…Then did good shopping when I got off.Could barely move this morning…oh what fun this tiredness is! Still glad I went…have to give myself a talking to every now and then to be a bit kinder to myself.
so the granny ones for me still.