Radiation post DIEP
Hello all, I am exactly 4 weeks post double mastectomy and DIEP (including complete node clearance) which I had after 6 months of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. I had TNBC in my right breast with 3 nodes involved on the same side. My pathology report said I had clear margins and a complete pathological response 🙏 I have now been given the option of skipping radiation if I want to. A new study (B-51 study) published last year found that patients with complete pathological response to chemotherapy and a double mastectomy don’t benefit from radiation therapy. My question is has anyone skipped radiation or was given the opportunity to skip it and chose not to? Also, has anyone with a double mastectomy and DIEP done radiation and what were the side effects on the breast? Lastly, has anyone received radiation in the neck region and what were the side effects like? Difficulty swallowing? My radiation specialist suggested if I choose to go ahead with radiation she would recommend the sub-clavicle nodes in the neck (along with breast and armpit) as they’re the only nodes I have not checked surgically. Would be keen to hear anyone’s opinion or lived experience. Thanks 😊
Post‑Surgery Fluid Leak on One Side
I’m 48 and one week post–bilateral wide excision with right‑side axillary clearance for invasive lobular breast cancer on R) side. I still have one drain on the right, but my left breast (which has no drain) is leaking a large amount of serous fluid. It’s very uncomfortable, and the nurse has now placed a wound drainage bag post second visit to hospital and discussion with the surgeon. Has anyone else experienced this after surgery, and how long did the leaking last for you?
Mastectomy/Diep flap reconstruction - What to prepare for
Hello, I am heading into hospital shortly for a Mastectomy with a DIEP flap reconstruction at same time. I am starting to prepare everything now, ie stocking freezer, ensuring I have everything at home ready and staying to look at what to pack for my stay in hospital (5 days). My Plastic Surgery has asked that I bring in post op bra and if I have spanx or similar bring that in. The bra was no issue I got ones from Kmart and Berlei. In terms of compression pants, I am at a lose. So much on the market, Any recommendations, do I go for underwear type, shorts or just stomach ones. I would be grateful for any tips.Post surgery changes
Good morning, I have a quick question to any women who have had lumpectomy/s and where the surgeon removed fat from under the underarm area right side only for me (side boob) to refill breast/s. I had lumpectomy's on both breasts at the same time, early cancers, both hormone positive ILC & IDC over a year ago now. My question is if they have been left with what looks like a small 3rd boob to me under their armpit that protrudes out. I cant understand how an area that has fat removed from it ends up bigger than before. It is uncomfortable, causes rubbing/friction that I did not have to contend with before and finding a bra that covers the area so the excess bulk doesn't get squeezed out from and overhangs from the bra line is frustrating. I only have B-Cup breasts and never had to wear heavy duty thick/wide band bras before because I wasn't big or had a lot of fat in the side boob area. Since surgery & having the fat apparently removed to fill the area my small tumours were removed from, I am now left with a bulge that is very noticeable from both the front & back. I dont wear singlet tops any more because the bulge is too noticeable. Very disappointing because I was not told about this outcome, only that there will be scar/s, which I have & don't concern me at all. Having a bulge/mass sticking out from the side of your breast seems more notable to mention than whatever scars might be left behind. Had I known I would not have had my breasts "refilled" from the small tumours removed. Any lop-sidedness or unevenness if any would have been fixed with a bit of padding, which most bras come with these days. I feel I have acquired a 3rd boob that is very noticeable whether I am clothed or not. Has this been any one else's experience?My right breast doesn't feel the same anymore ... Is this the new norm post lumpectomy, chemo & rad?
I had my lumpectomy in June 2017 and lymph nodes in right arm removed in July. Chemo stopped at Xmas and rad in March. Now I am just on Herceptin until Oct. I have been noticing changes over the past few months that are more apparent now. I see my breast physio regularly for massage and exercises for the scar tissue in my right arm, side and breast...causes pain and cramping. I noticed a while ago that in the bath my right nipple doesn't get cold i.e. erect. I don't mind a lazy nipple, but have also noticed my areola area feels rubbery and not soft like my left side. My breast physio has me massaging the area to help with pain and breaking down scar tissue. The onc says it's unlikely the scar 'lump' or little ball of scar tissue in my right breast will break down. The breast physio says from her experience, wait and see! Has anyone else had changes such as lazy nipples and rubbery areola ? I'm not in a relationship but wonder if I was would it feel different or strange to someone else. Oh, and my dentist tells me I have no saliva so need to use a special toothpaste and mouthwash...this is from the rad. Hmmm still wading through the collateral damage. Xxx
Hardening of breast
Hi everyone , I had removal of breast cancer in 2022 on left breast including 4 weeks of radiation.today I had a check up I have had a hard spot on the lower right since the surgery it hasn't changed and I'm an still tender where I have a scaring and over this area too, this was also present in my last check up which was with the surgeon which was told was fluid and I had just has a mammogram and ultra sound just before the visit which was all clear. .I have a revisit in 3 weeks with the surgeon as I saw one of her team of doc today. I am having a ultra sound over this area .Im a little concerned and worried, but I have also read that hardening and tenderness is common??? Has anyone else experienced this ?
Lumps in armpit after surgery
Hi Everyone, this is my first post and I need to ask if anyone else has experienced small hard lumps appearing in the armpit after their mastectomy and lymph node removal? (I had 22 lymph nodes removed) I also have what seems like a tight hard mass of muscle on the front of my chest right next to the armpit and going under the arm - I'm wondering if this is muscle that has been moved when some of the chest wall was removed? thanks for any ideas in advance
Advice for painful keloid scar
Hi All I have a keloid scar that formed following three incisions to the same spot on my chest to insert, fix, and then remove my chemo port. I had the port removed January 2018 and the keloid developed slowly after that despite using silicon tape and bio oil. I also had radiation as par of my treatment. It has been stable for a few months, but now once again, it is in an active growth period and is stinging, itchy and painful. Silicon tape isn't reducing or flattening the growth. Just wondering has anyone sought treatment or surgery for a painful keloid? Has anyone had corticosteroid shots, had them frozen or used laser therapy and if so has it been successful? Any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance Nadine
Wound Healing after Rads and Implant
Hi All, my first post so hopefully I’m doing this right! I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago with 2cm Tumor in left breast. I had lumpectomy and Rads with my existing Breast implants kept in place as recommended by my surgeon.. As a result I ended up with very painful Grade 4 Capsular Contracture of the left breast. I lost my patience with the public system and saved hard for a private open capsulotomy and replacement of implant. The PS did a great job of regaining symmetry for me also. Its 4 weeks post and I’m concerned, my incision just does not seem to be healing as well as the other side. The nurse does not seem concerned. Unfortunately my anxiety is off the scale as I had hoped to be back at work this week , and my incision is nowhere near healed enough. Have I done the wrong thing 😢 Would like to know if any other ladies have gone through this and had a successful outcome.