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FireCracker111
Member
since
01-05-2012
88
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4
Hugs
25-08-2019
10:45
Hi again, Brumrunner/ Leonie68, the rads seven years ago were also on my left breast, so yes, I was worried about my lung and heart and asked several oncology medics about it. I remember my surgeon's face when I asked him if I really needed radiotherapy after the removal of such a small lump, he looked at me as if I was totally insane/ extremely ungrateful. Anyway, during all the tests I've had since the this new diagnosis, my heart is apparently 'perfect'. Also, on Friday I had the pre-op appointment with the anaesthetist for my mastectomy and I asked her if, seven years on, there had been damage noted on my lung and she said there was absolutely nothing indicated. The strange thing is that when ever I asked about this in the past the medics often seemed surprised, as if no-one (no patient) had ever raised the issue. Leonie, I'm very small breasted, but despite that the left side of my breast has definitely been affected by fibrosis, though not until about two or three years after the radiotherapy. FC
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23-08-2019
10:44
Hi folks, I would really value hearing about long-term experiences on this, specifically how the reconstructed breast ages compared to the 'natural' one. I have to decide by Monday whether to have a latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction, or just go with the mastectomy. I only found out yesterday that I can't have an implant due to previous radiotherapy, and I'm struggling to imagine how the result could possibly be worth removing flesh from my back. Thank you in advance for sharing, it would really help me. FC
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23-08-2019
10:30
Thank you Seabreeze and Leonie, your posts are really useful. FC
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23-08-2019
02:53
Hi Brumrunner, I'm 55. I had six weeks of radiotherapy seven years ago after a lumpectomy. The process itself was okay, apart from an emotional meltdown in week five. Subsequent check-ups confirmed that everything was fine, and that my skin/ tissue had responded exceedingly well (I had a good homeopath, may that helped.. ) However, after a couple of years, the skin on one side of my breast had become ugly, and my breast has shrivelled a bit, there's no other word. This (see my recent posts) is presumably the reason why I now can't have an implant reconstruction (I have a new tumour and am due to have a mastectomy soon). Still, I can't say I would have been easily persuaded seven years ago to have my breast removed instead of radio. Hope this helps with your process. FC
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23-08-2019
02:41
Hi, I had a results appointment yesterday, I'm due to have a single mastectomy in two or three weeks. Due to radiotherapy on the same breast seven years ago they've told me I can't have an implant, I have to have an LD. Please could someone explain why it's not possible to put an implant in breast that has previously had radiotherapy? I would have gone with the implant but at this news I feel like not having reconstruction if it means LD. I have to decide by Monday. Thanks, FC
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12-08-2019
06:37
Thanks so much, Jan, your post has helped me get a general idea of how long I'm looking at before even considering trying to get back to work. Take care, FC
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10-08-2019
04:27
1 Hug
Hi, I'm due to have a mastectomy at the beginning of September, can anyone give me an idea of the approximate recovery time from the operation? And for a double mastectomy? I realise I can look these things up on the internet, but I don't want to end up on a super technical and explicit site, I'm not feeling very strong at the moment. Thanks.
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10-08-2019
12:48
2 Hugs
Hi, a month ago I was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hormone-receptive malignant tumour in my left breast. I had a different kind of hormone-receptive tumour removed from the same place eight years ago. I've already had a bunch of tests, including a nuclear bone scan, and it seems the cancer hasn't spread to the rest of my body, so that's an enormous relief. But I've only just had a breast MRI done, yesterday in fact (due to technical problems with the machine), so I won't know if it's in the other breast until the results appointment in two weeks. The surgeon told me a couple of weeks ago that a mastectomy is inevitable, and I imagine it will be a double one if they do find something in the other breast. I didn't have chemotherapy last time, but it's extremely likely now - although if my lymph glands are clear, there's an outside possibility that they'll consider just going with hormone treatment, as I didn't have that last time. I'm scared of the prospect of chemo, however logical it might be that I should have it now, so at the moment I'm holding on to that slight possibility. Could someone please tell the approximate recovery time for a single mastectomy? And a double one? These are questions I should have asked in the initial appointment with the surgeon but didn't. Thanks.
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11-05-2012
10:48
Hurray for you, Myrtle! And congratulations, what a year you must have had.
Now... ENJOY!
xo
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11-05-2012
01:32
Hi Fran - what a terrible and frightening time you've been through, I'm so sorry. And as you say, thank goodness for your family, that they were there to help you get through.
How to move on from this? Well, I have no professional advice to give, just experience, and I'd recommend finding someone you can talk to on a regular basis for a couple of months about how you felt and how you're feeling now. If you can't afford professional counselling, is it possible that a friend or family member could commit to one or two hours a week just to simply listen to you?
I found that being able to vocalise my fears and occasional anger really, really helped - I didn't want or need any advice, as I know much of it is so subjective, how we each deal with having cancer. In fact the person who supported me in that way has never had cancer, but is simply someone with enormous empathy, which is all I needed.
Sending you a really big hug,
FC
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28-04-2012
04:40
Hi Carrie - you asked about any advice for healing - what have they advised you about the exercises?
I'm now four months post-WLE, one month post-Rads, and I still have to be careful not to pick up shopping bags, big pots of food, etc (with the other arm, I mean!). But maintaining the exercises is definitely gradually building up my strength and the area's been feeling much better over the last two weeks.
Being able to get out for some blood-pumping walks would be good, too, but it's pretty hard with this rubbish weather!
Good luck,
FC
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28-04-2012
04:29
Thank so much annys, evie and mad, for sharing your experience. It all helps!
FC
XO
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20-04-2012
02:40
Hi ladeez, I'm two and a half weeks post-rads and just wanted to say hi and send some coping vibes - though it seems like you're all doing really well.
Marian, the first day of my treatment (ie, after they'd taken all the measurements) I walked into the room and the nurse said 'Oh, sorry, wrong person! I thought you were breast cancer, but of course you're womb cancer', and started to guide me to another machine. Then she stopped - 'Oh no, you are breast cancer, aren't you? Are you? What are you? Ha-ha-ha!'
I just gaped at her, wondering if she was on something! Then I sat down and got all three technicians to check EVERYTHING to make sure they weren't going to zap the wrong bit of my body... jeez.
Anyway, my confidence in them all was quickly restored - and in 30 sessions I never saw that particular technician again, phew.
Anyway, good luck, good luck,
FC
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20-04-2012
02:30
Hi ladeez - just to say that while the endless cream-slapping-on seems, well, endless - it isn't! I'm now two and a half weeks post rads and just put on some cold cream once a day, and my skin seems to be recovering really well, just a light brown square around the whole breast/ armpit.
But a holiday in Murcia would also go down really well! Have a fantastic time, Ermintrude.
Take care,
FC
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20-04-2012
02:22
Hi Zibzab,
You say that your body got used to the Tamoxifen after about six months - but what about the emotional/ mental side effects? Can you say how it's affecting your moods, etc, two years on?
While I'd rather not go through the physical stuff, I'd be prepared to for the sake of trying to keep the cancer at bay - but it's the extreme mood swings, mainly depression and aggression, that I'm really (really!) scared of.
Thanks,
FC
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15-04-2012
10:15
Hi, just wanted to say congratulations to the Finished Ones and offer a bit of support to the Tired Ones.
I finished 30 sessions almost two weeks ago, and yes, it took about a week not to feel a bit wobbly about not having that daily 'care' (albeit with a spot of intense burning too).
And the tiredness - exactly, it's not normal tiredness, for me it's been like having a blanket of fatigue over everything, making even thinking a bit tricky sometimes. I've been feeling more switched on mentally for nearly a week, but still low on physical energy - not helped by not being able to go out walking cos of the rubbish weather...
Anyway, good luck everyone - and I reckon taking one day at a time is indeed the best way through. And make the most of any resting opportunities - I didn't and I'm paying now!
FC
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15-04-2012
10:04
Hi Queenie - I was wondering how you're doing now, two week into to your radiotherapy and still dealing/ struggling with the SEs of Tamoxifen? And what kind of emotional support are you getting for it all?
I was supposed to start taking it in February, but I just... haven't. There's obviously no way I can know if I'm doing the right thing for me, but reading about your experience and other women here, I'm still wavering on whether to start or not. Also, my situation is different, my cancer was low grade tubular and not genetic.
Anyway, I hope you're managing - and also with the rads.
Take care of yourself,
FC
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12-04-2012
10:15
Thanks everyone! It helps to know it's normal to worry - and to be reminded to do the exercises. I've been fairly conscientious with them, but was wondering if I should stop for a few days - but I'll carry on.
I never had any baseline measurements taken before the operation, in fact this is the first I've heard of them. I live in Spain and maybe that's not the protocol here - should have done it myself!
My arm's feeling better today, and I'm trying to be careful with it and not lift anything on that side - or anything heavy on the other side.
Thanks again,
Take care,
FC
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11-04-2012
10:19
Hi folks, I'm looking for some answers/ reassurance about lymphedema...
I'm three and a half months post WLE and removal of seven lymph glands, which were all clear.
Last week I finished 30 sessions of radiotherapy, and my skin seems to be recovering well.
However, on Saturday I carried two large bags of heavy shopping for about 100 metres before realising what an idiot I was being, and over the past five days I've had an increase in those bloated and sore feelings in my armpit and arm, but without obvious swelling. It's something I've had on and off since the operation, but it hasn't felt so constant - or worrying - till now.
I'm aware that it could be psychological, as I've definitely felt quite on my own with it all since finishing the RT - those lovely nurses and technicians who looked after me every day! Or maybe it's simply that as my skin isn't anywhere near so sore now, I'm only just noticing the bloating and sore feelings inside.
Anyway, has anyone else experienced this after finishing RT or after lifting/ carrying something far too heavy?
Thanks,
FC
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11-04-2012
02:31
Hi folks, I'm looking for some answers/ reassurance about lymphedema...
I'm three and a half months post WLE and removal of seven lymph glands, which were all clear.
Last week I finished 30 sessions of radiotherapy, and my skin seems to be recovering well.
However, on Saturday I carried two large bags of heavy shopping for about 100 metres before realising what an idiot I was being, and over the past five days I've had an increase in those bloated and sore feelings in my armpit and arm, but without obvious swelling. It's something I've had on and off since the operation, but it hasn't felt so constant - or worrying - till now.
I'm aware that it could be psychological, as I've definitely felt quite on my own with it all since finishing the RT - those lovely nurses and technicians who looked after me every day! Or maybe it's simply that as my skin isn't anywhere near so sore now, I'm only just noticing the bloating and sore feelings inside.
Anyway, has anyone else experienced this after finishing RT or after lifting/ carrying something far too heavy?
Thanks,
FC
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