Breast Cancer Now Forum

I used the H&B deodorant today on my 'good' armpit and left the blitzed one alone - guess which one got soggy, yep - NOT the blitzed one! The other one didn't smell though so that's some consolation at least. ;o) My skin isn't baby soft, not yet anyway - too soon after rads, it's all lumpy. I'll have to work on it. I think our tattoos match, magsi (whisper - but I do have a cleavage). Take care all Lx ... View more

Doesn't he have to respond in some way? L x ... View more

Me too ... View more

I hadn't noticed my rads armpit not smelling as much, magsi! In fact I smell far more now than I ever did - fear perhaps? Have bought the H&B deodorant but not tried it yet. L x ... View more

How's the RHB and did you get 9/10 for skin care, lilacblushes? L x ... View more

Thanks Magsi. I've had a look at the site and feel a bit more confident about using weights etc. again. I'm seeing consultant tomorrow and will ask about physio too. I find it encouraging that lilacblushes said her chording more or less disappeared after intensive physio. Sun's up here, hope it's the same for you all. L x ... View more

Hey, lilacblushes - I've just typed 'chording +breast cancer' in to Google and here I am! It came up with 'Rock hard boob' and threw me on to your thread! I'm not sure I'm too happy about it really but I suppose that's the internet for you. L x ... View more

Hi all If I was runner I'd say it was 'runner's nipple' you know, friction from rubbing on clothing, but as I haven't run for a while I'll just say 'it's friction from rubbing on clothing'!!! Know what you mean, lilacblushes, about touching the nip - ouch! Mine is yellow at times when really painful. Oh joys - it's no wonder they don't tell you as no-one would bother. L x ... View more

Hi Kay Hope rads is going ok. I finished 16 zaps last week. My nipple felt (and still does) as though it's on 'high alert' if you know what I mean! Anything that touched it made it very sore particularly if it rubbed. I just kept slapping Aqueous on. Glad you've kept the neighbours busy ;o) Take care L x ... View more

Hi cathy59 Chording is a thrombosed lymph vein (I think). When the nodes are removed the lymph can't travel down the channel so it leaves an empty string like structure which tightens making it difficult to stretch the arm etc. Blooming painful too! L x ... View more

Thanks for that, lilacblushes - I've just read your comment on the other thread. My onc was the same chappie who gave me my diagnosis in NHS hospital and who works privately too so I stayed with him. I would like access to a bit of support rather than just being on a 'tick list' - have I given you the number to ring if you have a problem? Yes. Tick etc. I rang the bcn at NHS hosp (who was lovely) about my arm and she said to contact the physio at private place but I suspect they don't deal with as many bc patients and I'd rather have a pro! I think I'll contact him for an appointment and run things by him. Take care Lx ... View more

Cheers, girls. I've decided to try and contact my onc for an appointment, just to run things passed him. Take care Lx ... View more

Hi Heather I'm sorry to hear of your problems but, if it's any consolation, it's made me feel a bit better! I had WLE Jan 31 and finished 16 rads last week. I jumped at your comment of 'lymphodoema under my arm and back' as I have a pain on the side of my back which I've had since surgery. I had chording a week after surgery and that's when it started. I wondered if it was tissue moved when I had my WLE but during rads the chording got worse and the pain in the back returned. I asked the onc at rads but he just said that the surgeon wouldn't have moved tissue that far. I'm not sure how chording and lymphodoema are connected but I've got a bulge the width of my little finger running from my arm pit over my bicep down to my elbow. The skin is very painful to touch and it's difficult to straighten my arm. Have you been given any exercises to help you? Take care L x ... View more

Hi All Just picked up this thread and was interested to read of similar symptoms. My arm pit scar has become very lumpy and my chording is much worse than after WLE and it's like you describe, lilacblushes, runs down the arm. I can't straighten my arm out. What exercises were you given? I went privately due to a friend dying last year on the ward where I'd have my op and I feel as though I don't have access to any support systems. magsi, I get that stabbing too - it takes your breath away doesn't it? Stretching for 2 years? What's the DVD? Is it any good? I belong to a gym but haven't been as I'm worried about doing my arm damage by doing the wrong thing. Does anyone know if, once we've had chording, we are stuck with it for ever? Keep up the good work girls. Take care L x ... View more

Hi All Yes FizBiz, I'm afraid they are permanent! It's done with Indian ink, they 'nick' the skin and dob a bit of ink on then mop it cos it bleeds a bit. They look like pin-head marks. magsi - I don't know about the colour, it's black that looks blue if you get me?!! AnnaG - I'd love to think I could use my experience to help others but it's too raw at the moment and I'd be no use to anyone! Did you see the Harlequins rugby match just? The refs were wearing bright pink shirts as it was supporting Breast Cancer Care - wicked! Take care all Lx ... View more

Hi All I'm glad this thread is here, I was beginning to think it was only me!! The staff are pleasant enough but they just get on with their jobs. I mentioned my chording seemed to be worse and one said 'your what?' I didn't mention it again. I'm like you, magsi, no chemo and felt really bad that I didn't cope with rads like a 'super trouper'! I burst in to tears too on my last one - think it was the shear relief that it was all finished. It was the clicking of the machine when they were swinging it/me in to position. I could hear it in the waiting room. Someone said earlier about no doors just a curved corridor, I could hear the patient's conversation when they were on the table. The problem with taking my music was that I would always associate it with radiotherapy and wouldn't want to play it again. I also worked on the basis that if they had to fiddle with the CD I'd be in there longer! I'm looking very tanned on one side now with just 2 blackheads. I asked for a butterfly but no go! Have a good day, girls. Lx ... View more

Hiya! The awning leaked and gave me a load of hassle mopping up!! Not what I wanted. Still, it was lovely sitting in my van watching a couple of rabbits chomping on grass. Had to shoo off a cat though - think it must have been the wardens cos it looked very at home! I'd go more for a knife in the boob than a knitting needle, like a stabbing. The other night it was incestant - got on my pip good and proper. I had chording after my WLE but this was something else - a thick line from my node scar down my bicep to my elbow about the thickness of your little finger - yuk! I actually rang a BCN from City who was there at initial diagnosis and she said to massage it with my thumb but it should settle after 2 weeks. The skin is very tender to touch. Are we stuck with this then, S? I wasn't given any exercises but when I couldn't straighten my arm I automatically resorted to post-op exercises. My node scar has become lumpy too. I tried a bra yesterday, managed an hour but it wasn't comfortable. I did wonder if they were rebelling after so long dangling around - you know, like during the summer on holiday when it was just bikinis or nothing and sloppy tops! I can't think about work yet. I've no patience with anything and to be honest I would struggle to do my job. I can't sit back in a chair at the mo as, I think, I got nerve damage or lymph or something by the side of my shoulder blade and until my boob settles down I'd spend the whole time wincing. As the Doc says - it's early days, don't be too hard on yourself. Mum and Dad are taking me away next week, well, I'm taking them but they are treating me! Going to the sea-side in Wales - lovely. I've hired a couple of mobility scooters for them too so that'll be laugh them zipping along the prom!! I see them once a fortnight at the mo as I find it difficult energy wise but hopefully we'll get back to our usual routine. Have a good weekend, take care, love Lx ... View more

Hi all I finished rads last week and found the whole experience a real struggle. The people were very nice but, as others have said, it is so impersonal. The machine broke on one of my sessions whilst I was on it and they left me 'up there' whilst an engineer came in!! Luckily for me I had the standard issue blue gown so zipped up to cover my boobs. Did nothing for my confidence. After 1 session I found myself at the CancerBackup place and burst in to tears - what a wuss! Songs - how about 'Voulez vous couchez avec moi se soir' er - not on this bed, thanks! Or Abba's Dancing Queen 'having the time of my life ...' Hang in there everyone. Lx ... View more

Hi Shonagh Hope you are/had a great time away. How was the hot tub? ;o) I'm looking forward to NO rads tomorrow - YES! I'm taking my van away for a few days to christen the awning. So how did I celebrate the end? During treatment I watched property and antique programmes so on my last day I decided I would go to an Auction for the first time. Bamfords in Derby had an auction so me and a mate went with the idea of buying something to mark the end of this journey. I would keep the antique for 5 years (note the significance!) then sell it and give the money to Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research UK. Well, when we arrived it turns out that Dickinson's Real Deal film crew were there recording a programme!!! Wish I'd made more of an effort with appearance! Anyway, James Lewis (from Cash in the Attic/Flog it/Bargain Hunt) was there so I told him what I planning to do and asked his advice. He said 'buy what you like and keep it'. He then took us to see some bits he would buy but, sadly, my energy levels hit rock bottom and had to go home before that room started selling. It was a great experience though and I shall definitely buy something. Will ring Bamfords to find out when the programme will be broadcast. I keep getting pains in my boob and I'm having trouble straightening my arm. I suspect it's rads affecting my lymph node scar but it's b****y painful. Have you had this? What are we going to do about getting a bra to fit? Do you think it will be 'fillers' for one side? Decisions, decisions, eh? Will it never end!! Be good to catch up with you now and then, Shonagh. Take care, love L xx ... View more