Forum Discussion

c_yeo's avatar
c_yeo
Member
12 years ago

Finished Chemo and start Radiation

Hello all

It has been 5 weeks since I had my last chemo. Sure glad to finish that part. Minimal side effects during treatment and some of the fallouts are very anemic, cracked and  lost a tooth and an arm with harden veins. I hope the veins will eventually recovered but have been told it may take up to 12 months. It feels a little like cording and all bumpy on the skin. Anybody can share your experience with this? Do they eventually recover?

Had my first of 25 radiation sessions this morning. Was a little anxious but the staff were good and made it uneventful. All done in half an hour. My surgery arm still slightly corded and mindful of radiation and lympheodema. Not sure what to do as preventive measure. Any advice?

I am still keeping my 2 walks a day. Continue with some stretches for arm. And will do more creaming with sorbelene during this time.

Hope you are all travelling well.

Cis

 

 

 

anxiety
chemotherapy
side-effects

3 Replies

  • c_yeo's avatar
    c_yeo
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thanks Deanne for the info.

    I did get some measurements on arm done a month after surgery back in January but have not been back to see therapist as she said that I dont need to see her. She used one of those electrodes things to measure. I had auxillary clearance and now radiation to axilla so am concerned. I do have some cording issue now and another physiotherapist (another therapist but not a lympheodema specialist) just gave some stretching exercises. I am not sure what else to do now (to help myself) or what symptoms to look out for. 

    I walk everyday and massage myself (as well as I know how) when I cream after my shower everyday. I am in a healthy weight range. I hope I am doing as much as I can. Is there more? Paranoia does set it.

    It would appear that in the public system, one would not be able to see a specialist to get a baseline measure until a problem exist by which time will be too late to get a measurement. I got my measurements done privately.

    Thank you for your information. Reading your posts gave me more info. and awareness. Hope things are going well for you. 

    Cis xxx

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    My veins felt very bumpy and lumpy after chemo. They have gradually softened again and feel pretty good. It is 9 months since my last chemo. Do you have a physio or someone experienced with oncology and lymphatic massage? It would be a good idea to see someone who can give you a massage and keep a close eye on your arm. Have you ever had it measured to provide a base to check against? If you are having radiation to the axilla (I did) it unfortunately does increase your chance of developing lymphoedema. But if you keep a close eye on it you can catch it early. I had some cording after radiation and some fluid build up a couple of months ago. But with treatment it looks like it will be ok, not permanent. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight goes a long way to reducing your chance of lymphoedema. BCNA have some very good info on it too. Hope everything goes as well as it can. Radiation is a lot easier than chemo! Take care. Deanne xxx
  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    My veins felt very bumpy and lumpy after chemo. They have gradually softened again and feel pretty good. It is 9 months since my last chemo. Do you have a physio or someone experienced with oncology and lymphatic massage? It would be a good idea to see someone who can give you a massage and keep a close eye on your arm. Have you ever had it measured to provide a base to check against? If you are having radiation to the axilla (I did) it unfortunately does increase your chance of developing lymphoedema. But if you keep a close eye on it you can catch it early. I had some cording after radiation and some fluid build up a couple of months ago. But with treatment it looks like it will be ok, not permanent. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight goes a long way to reducing your chance of lymphoedema. BCNA have some very good info on it too. Hope everything goes as well as it can. Radiation is a lot easier than chemo! Take care. Deanne xxx