Hello @sharonandkathy i am sorry you are going through this. If this is a very recent lumpectomy, swelling and fluid could be causing this. If it has been a long time, then maybe not.
In my case it is scar tissue that causes the deformity, I could have gone back to the surgeon after all of the treatments were done, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do one more thing that year. I had multiple surgeries and chemo and then radiation. My radiation oncologist said it was exacerbated by the radiation.
Have you asked your doctor about this? How long has it been since your lumpectomy?
Hello @sharonandkathy i am sorry you are going through this. If this is a very recent lumpectomy, swelling and fluid could be causing this. If it has been a long time, then maybe not.
In my case it is scar tissue that causes the deformity, I could have gone back to the surgeon after all of the treatments were done, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do one more thing that year. I had multiple surgeries and chemo and then radiation. My radiation oncologist said it was exacerbated by the radiation.
Have you asked your doctor about this? How long has it been since your lumpectomy?
thanks for responding. Lumpectomy was 1 week ago. I'm still healing. Was surprised after surgery that much of my breast was smaller. My nipple was inverted. No one told me this would happen. My Surgeon doesn't give much information even when ask questions. He keeps telling me to keep being empowered. I did find out I had stage 2 and my margins came back clear. I'm 80 years old, not looking forward to radiation. How are you doing?
thanks for responding. Lumpectomy was 1 week ago. I'm still healing. Was surprised after surgery that much of my breast was smaller. My nipple was inverted. No one told me this would happen. My Surgeon doesn't give much information even when ask questions. He keeps telling me to keep being empowered. I did find out I had stage 2 and my margins came back clear. I'm 80 years old, not looking forward to radiation. How are you doing?
I am well right now, thanks for asking. I am not going to tell you the last 20 years have always been easy, but I believe it has been worth it to have the time with my family and friends.
My breast is much smaller as well and pretty disfigured, I honestly wish I had been granted a mastectomy. I would have stayed flat. Now I just wear compression bras most of the time I am outside the house, and none when I am home. 😂 If I was really distressed by it, I might talk to breast surgeon or even get fitted for a filler.
Radiation was easy compared to chemo, but be prepared for some fatigue. Are you going to have a period of healing first?
I am well right now, thanks for asking. I am not going to tell you the last 20 years have always been easy, but I believe it has been worth it to have the time with my family and friends.
My breast is much smaller as well and pretty disfigured, I honestly wish I had been granted a mastectomy. I would have stayed flat. Now I just wear compression bras most of the time I am outside the house, and none when I am home. 😂 If I was really distressed by it, I might talk to breast surgeon or even get fitted for a filler.
Radiation was easy compared to chemo, but be prepared for some fatigue. Are you going to have a period of healing first?
today I talked to Oncology for a phone appt. tomorrow. I will know then when my appointment is. Today I lost all my energy and ended back in bed. I noticed my emotions are out of control for sadness. Does the radiation make you tired? I'm not sure if I will have Chemo. I want you to know how much I appreciate you getting back to me. I prefer talking to you than someone who has not been through this. I'm sending you hugs and wishes for good health,
My lumpectomy was a year ago. I do have some scar tissue, but in the end, it doesn’t look too bad. My nipple was inverted at first, but over time, it returned to almost normal. I have small breasts, and with clothes or even a swimsuit, it’s hard to tell that there’s less tissue. My advice is to be patient and kind with yourself—your body needs time to heal.
My lumpectomy was a year ago. I do have some scar tissue, but in the end, it doesn’t look too bad. My nipple was inverted at first, but over time, it returned to almost normal. I have small breasts, and with clothes or even a swimsuit, it’s hard to tell that there’s less tissue. My advice is to be patient and kind with yourself—your body needs time to heal.
My lumpectomy was 20 months ago .
I have a neat scar but dimpling .
Radiation shouldn’t be too bad . Look after your skin well with creams and rest up if you feel tired .
I had a low oncotype so didn’t need chemo .
It’s emotionally draining but does get better
I hope all goes well for you.
My lumpectomy was 20 months ago .
I have a neat scar but dimpling .
Radiation shouldn’t be too bad . Look after your skin well with creams and rest up if you feel tired .
I had a low oncotype so didn’t need chemo .
It’s emotionally draining but does get better
I hope all goes well for you.
Thanks for your comments. I had my surgery 10 days ago. Today my nipple hurts alot. I don't notice any infection. Last Wed. I crashed with no energy. Looks like I picked up a UTI no bacteria which indicated an infection due by the catheter they used. Emotions are high, crying a lot. Will see my oncologist on Thursday. Radiation? Stage 2, margins clear. ILC. The more information you might have would be great. Thanks
I understand how you feel.
My emotional journey was much worse than my physical journey.
Be good to yourself and rest plenty.
Eat sensibly, no special diet but lots of vegetables and red meat at most twice per week. The safe alcohol limit has alas changed for those with er + breast cancer .
Personally I rarely take alcohol.
I found that by looking after myself better ( good diet, exercise as my energy levels allowed , rest when tired ) it helped me emotionally as I felt I was gaining more control of my health .
I hope your radiotherapy goes as well as mine did
Things do get better but be kind to yourself
Years ago a plastic surgeon told me scars can take up to 2 years to stop changing. During that time they get softer, paler and flatter. Generally plastic surgeons will not try to fix a scar that less than 18 months old. My advice is take a photo of the beast once a month. I'm guessing you'll see changes (improvements!) over time but not from one day to the next.
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Hello @sharonandkathy i am sorry you are going through this. If this is a very recent lumpectomy, swelling and fluid could be causing this. If it has been a long time, then maybe not.
In my case it is scar tissue that causes the deformity, I could have gone back to the surgeon after all of the treatments were done, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do one more thing that year. I had multiple surgeries and chemo and then radiation. My radiation oncologist said it was exacerbated by the radiation.
Have you asked your doctor about this? How long has it been since your lumpectomy?
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsthanks for responding. Lumpectomy was 1 week ago. I'm still healing. Was surprised after surgery that much of my breast was smaller. My nipple was inverted. No one told me this would happen. My Surgeon doesn't give much information even when ask questions. He keeps telling me to keep being empowered. I did find out I had stage 2 and my margins came back clear. I'm 80 years old, not looking forward to radiation. How are you doing?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am well right now, thanks for asking. I am not going to tell you the last 20 years have always been easy, but I believe it has been worth it to have the time with my family and friends.
My breast is much smaller as well and pretty disfigured, I honestly wish I had been granted a mastectomy. I would have stayed flat. Now I just wear compression bras most of the time I am outside the house, and none when I am home. 😂 If I was really distressed by it, I might talk to breast surgeon or even get fitted for a filler.
Radiation was easy compared to chemo, but be prepared for some fatigue. Are you going to have a period of healing first?
today I talked to Oncology for a phone appt. tomorrow. I will know then when my appointment is. Today I lost all my energy and ended back in bed. I noticed my emotions are out of control for sadness. Does the radiation make you tired? I'm not sure if I will have Chemo. I want you to know how much I appreciate you getting back to me. I prefer talking to you than someone who has not been through this. I'm sending you hugs and wishes for good health,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsMy lumpectomy was a year ago. I do have some scar tissue, but in the end, it doesn’t look too bad. My nipple was inverted at first, but over time, it returned to almost normal. I have small breasts, and with clothes or even a swimsuit, it’s hard to tell that there’s less tissue. My advice is to be patient and kind with yourself—your body needs time to heal.
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1 ReactionThank you for your advice
My lumpectomy was 20 months ago .
I have a neat scar but dimpling .
Radiation shouldn’t be too bad . Look after your skin well with creams and rest up if you feel tired .
I had a low oncotype so didn’t need chemo .
It’s emotionally draining but does get better
I hope all goes well for you.
Thanks for your comments. I had my surgery 10 days ago. Today my nipple hurts alot. I don't notice any infection. Last Wed. I crashed with no energy. Looks like I picked up a UTI no bacteria which indicated an infection due by the catheter they used. Emotions are high, crying a lot. Will see my oncologist on Thursday. Radiation? Stage 2, margins clear. ILC. The more information you might have would be great. Thanks
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI understand how you feel.
My emotional journey was much worse than my physical journey.
Be good to yourself and rest plenty.
Eat sensibly, no special diet but lots of vegetables and red meat at most twice per week. The safe alcohol limit has alas changed for those with er + breast cancer .
Personally I rarely take alcohol.
I found that by looking after myself better ( good diet, exercise as my energy levels allowed , rest when tired ) it helped me emotionally as I felt I was gaining more control of my health .
I hope your radiotherapy goes as well as mine did
Things do get better but be kind to yourself
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYears ago a plastic surgeon told me scars can take up to 2 years to stop changing. During that time they get softer, paler and flatter. Generally plastic surgeons will not try to fix a scar that less than 18 months old. My advice is take a photo of the beast once a month. I'm guessing you'll see changes (improvements!) over time but not from one day to the next.