Early XMAS present
Two days before xmas I was dx with multi lobular cancer Estrogen positive. I have had a Mastectomy left breast with tissue expander mid jan ( my tissue expander feels like it's going to burst) and ...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Dandelion, you have lots of similarities to my story - I had a single mastectomy and radiation treatment after 2 large lobular tumours (both estrogen positive) were found and one node tested positive so then had a axillary clearance. I also had a sneaky ductal tumour that was HER2 positive so my treatment also included chemotherapy and Herceptin and am now on Tamoxifen.
I am now 5years on from that diagnosis and doing well although I do have lymphodema and think this could have been helped by wearing a compression sleeve during radiation. Finding a good lymphodema therapist that will measure and monitor your arm and show you how to do self-massaging is really important. You may not get lymphodema, it is certainly not a given, but it is important that you make sure your skin is well moisturised, not only in the radiated areas but on your arm to try and maintain skin integrity. I found the radiation nurses really helpful and supportive throughout that time and their advice was to use the Moo Goo products, which I did and loved.
I was also diagnosed with osteopenia, which felt like another blow, and so although I am now post-menopausal (was pre-menopausal before treatment) I am staying on Tamoxifen as it is better for bone strength. I also am having Allendrobell (once a week bone strengthening tablet) following a bad fracture to my wrist last year. I also have Vitamin D. I am due for another bone scan now to check how things are going.
Best of luck with your treatment, it is tough, especially as a single mum, so don't be afraid to ask for and accept any help offered, it was the best thing I could have done xx
I am now 5years on from that diagnosis and doing well although I do have lymphodema and think this could have been helped by wearing a compression sleeve during radiation. Finding a good lymphodema therapist that will measure and monitor your arm and show you how to do self-massaging is really important. You may not get lymphodema, it is certainly not a given, but it is important that you make sure your skin is well moisturised, not only in the radiated areas but on your arm to try and maintain skin integrity. I found the radiation nurses really helpful and supportive throughout that time and their advice was to use the Moo Goo products, which I did and loved.
I was also diagnosed with osteopenia, which felt like another blow, and so although I am now post-menopausal (was pre-menopausal before treatment) I am staying on Tamoxifen as it is better for bone strength. I also am having Allendrobell (once a week bone strengthening tablet) following a bad fracture to my wrist last year. I also have Vitamin D. I am due for another bone scan now to check how things are going.
Best of luck with your treatment, it is tough, especially as a single mum, so don't be afraid to ask for and accept any help offered, it was the best thing I could have done xx