topic info on Radiation effects in I've just been diagnosed

info on Radiation effects

jodielee12 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:32:03 GMT

Hi i am looking for some info on the after effects of Radiation. i had a lumpectomy back in September and under went 5 weeks of Radiation to my breast. its now 10 months on and my ribs are quite sore and tender on the side and under my breast. is this a normal part of the healing or something else. i am not due to see my Dr till December and its annoying me. Linda

Re: info on Radiation effects

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 07:55:46 GMT

Hi Linda, I had radiation after a lumpectomy and I did experience soreness for a number of months afterwards. It's now been 4 years since diagnosis and the soreness has virtually disappeared. If you are concerned about the soreness there is now harm making an earlier appointment with your specialist. I have resurrected a story from a previous posting of mine that might be helpful to you:- "A few months back I had unusual symptoms, my breathing was becoming a little laboured and I was experiencing tenderness in my breast. One day at work, sitting at my desk, I felt much worse, something wasn't right with my body. I asked to go home, now what do I do? I puzzled. My local GP was on holidays, she knew me and had all my records, I didn't want to get stressed waiting around at hospital, I rang my Oncologist Specialist instead. He could see me in a few days, so I made an appointment. Come Friday, my symptoms had eased somewhat and I felt embarrased that I was wasting his time. I explained my symptoms, he did a physical examination, pressed on the tender spots... well, I nearly jumped of the bed. He said "Don't worry, I know what it is, it's not cancer, it's Costochondritis". "Costo what?" I said. "Inflammation of the rib cartilage, quite common in women after breast cancer and radiotherapy" he said. I smiled, "Common am I, how wonderful!". I meant it, what a relief to have a common ailment the sweetest words I ever heard. I left his office with a new skip in my step. At times it is hard to rationalise which ache or pain is important. You know your own body, don't let your mind take you thru a million scenarios that may never happen, follow thru on the pains you feel aren't right. You may be pleasantly surprised like me and if not, you are then able to make the appropriate decision for you." Hope the story was of some use to you. Regards, Reindeer

Re: info on Radiation effects

jodielee12 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:40:51 GMT

thanks so much for that. you have helped heaps and put my mind at ease. i got into my local Dr this arvo and he also eased my mind. he said if i notice any changes to ring him and he will see me again. i have decided to wait till Dec for my app with Dr Taylor. no doubt she will say the same and i need not have worried. cheers and thanks again. Linda

Re: info on Radiation effects

willow — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:51:24 GMT

Hi Linda I finished radiation in November last year and am still quite sore, especially around my ribs. It is weird too cause sometimes it is worse than others. I saw my doctor last week and mentioned it and he said it was normal - everyone reacted differently. He said I had prominent ribs (his way of kindly saying small boobs) and that is probably why they were still quite sore. My breast is still really tender as well and it feels tight when I raise my arm - I don't feel as if I have full range of movement in my shoulder even though I only had the sentinel node removed. I can't say don't worry cause we all do and it is important to get checked by your doctor but it is comforting to know that it is a symptom that many women experience after treatment for breast cancer. Take care, Willow xo

Re: info on Radiation effects

Lynn63 — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 19:42:46 GMT

The radiation was ok. It's the recovery that is still difficult. I was 62 when I had the lumpectomy and lymph glands removed. Went through 16 sessions of daily radiation and thought it was over. I was told there could be a sunburn like sideffects but I'm still coping with swelling, and redness. Mammogram and ultra sound all showed nothing. Dr. confirmed it wasn't any more cancer and that my deformed breast was from the radiation and takes time to heal. It's been 8 months now it's not changing. It was a very small lump removed and never expected my whole breast to be so deformed. Does anyone else have this problem?