Two years out my left breast had settled into what will probably be the last of the changes. Suture scar softened immensely and is not so visible. But this side was just a breast lift and downsizing to match the right. I had a new surgery on my right in November 2024, 2 years after a lumpectomy and 5 day radiation (600 gy each, ttl 3000 gy). It was larger than left side, so they opened up suture area. While in there they removed an inch of internal scar tissue.
I’m now waiting to see if this breast will soften and drop a bit to match left. It is firmer and higher than the first surgery - I think probably because the tissue has some permanent damage. I’m going to physical therapy this Thursday. I’m not sure if she can do anything about keeping scar from forming (surgeon said it was likely more would form - guessing it’s my tissue makeup that’s making it more likely). The radiology NP told me I had quite a bit of thickened skin from radiation, I didn’t know that.
Note to yourself: 7 months is the main time that skin healing and scar formation happens (from the survivorship provider, and the PT). Unfortunately it looks like I missed it. I didn’t know. Sigh. But they say that massage can still make a difference. At this point, I really don’t know if I need therapy because the changes before took 2 years. But I don’t want to wait and find out that I should have done something sooner.
Yes it will. I had implants put back in after lumpectomy but where lump taken out is sunken and I can see implant ripple above area the lump was excised. You have to ignore and be happy you are cancer free. Live and laugh for the blessing you have and a little deformity is a small price to pay for being cancer free.
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 5 months ago. Stage 2 - metastasized to lymph nodes. It’s been 2 months since my last radiation treatment and by the 3rd or 4th week, I felt really tired. About the 3rd day after my last treatment, my skin got darker and the blisters & peeling started. It was very painful, due to the size of breast, especially in the crease area. That stinging and redness started earlier. I asked about the hardness and was told it was seroma ( clear fluid buildup). Having sharp pains in my left breast, which my surgeon said, “ nerves”. I still experience slight tenderness around the nipple area and area under arm (nodes removal sight, has started to feel swollen and tender. I was instructed by my radiologist to continue my stretches and he would know if I do not. I see him again in November. I never thought I’d be the person to say, I am a breast cancer survivor patient, but here I am. I thank everyone for speaking your truth and being vulnerable and honest about what you have and are going through. This is how we educate ourselves and others. We’re truly blessed to be here and I am grateful & thankful for the opportunity to learn, share and grow from this journey with you all. To God be the glory. Have a beautiful blessed day.💕❤️💕🌸😇
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?
@sharonandkathy
Just turned 65. Had my lumpectomy Aug of this year. I agree they dont give enough info especially follow through. They should offer classes that show pictures and normal recovery times. They ask you if you are in a good place and if you say yes, no psych care. At first, you think everything will look semi normal, after several months when the reality sinks in you need some extra counseling or at least some more questions answered. By that time you are case history and they dont offer anything, and are too busy and dismissive. I had mine through SSM Health in STL. Their care was good through treatment, except for not enough info and followup.
@qingjin16 Best wishes for tomorrow! I was surprised at how easy my lumpectomy went. And recovery, while annoying to have some restrictions, also went well. I was 68 at the time. Stay in touch with the oncology nurse or whomever they say is your immediate contact. We all have different skin reactions so there is no one answer that works for us all - and it’s helpful to find out “is this too red?”, “is this too swollen?” rather than worrying about it.
@qingjin16 Best wishes for tomorrow! I was surprised at how easy my lumpectomy went. And recovery, while annoying to have some restrictions, also went well. I was 68 at the time. Stay in touch with the oncology nurse or whomever they say is your immediate contact. We all have different skin reactions so there is no one answer that works for us all - and it’s helpful to find out “is this too red?”, “is this too swollen?” rather than worrying about it.
My lumpectomy was 5 months ago. Stage 2 - metastasized to lymph nodes. It’s been 2 months since my last radiation treatment and by the 3rd or 4th week, I felt really tired. About the 3rd day after my last treatment, my skin got darker and the blisters & peeling started. It was very painful, due to the size of breast, especially in the crease area. That stinging and redness started earlier. I asked about the hardness and was told it was seroma ( clear fluid buildup). Having sharp pains in my left breast, which my surgeon said, “ nerves”. I still experience slight tenderness around the nipple area and area under arm (nodes removal sight, has started to feel swollen and tender. I was instructed by my radiologist to continue my stretches and he would know if I do not. I see him again in November. I never thought I’d be the person to say, I am a breast cancer survivor patient, but here I am. I thank everyone for speaking your truth and being vulnerable and honest about what you have and are going through. This is how we educate ourselves and others. We’re truly blessed to be here and I am grateful & thankful for the opportunity to learn, share and grow from this journey with you all. To God be the glory. Have a beautiful blessed day.💕❤️💕🌸😇
@myoga hello there! I pray all is going well with you. It’s coming close to my last radiation treatment. Update since my last post is that I developed lymphedema in my left arm & breast. The stretches and massage I was doing, well let’s just say, I didn’t have the Midas touch.😂 I did 12 sessions of Lymphedema PT plus exercises. Fibrosis developed in the breast. It’s an ongoing side effect from the radiation. I’m wearing sleeves & gauntlets, as well. I received compression bras in August and a compression camisole 2 weeks ago. All of this and an occasional wellness class has been a good thing for me. God is too great for me to complain about anything. Sending love, hugs and prayers to everyone.
@myoga hello there! I pray all is going well with you. It’s coming close to my last radiation treatment. Update since my last post is that I developed lymphedema in my left arm & breast. The stretches and massage I was doing, well let’s just say, I didn’t have the Midas touch.😂 I did 12 sessions of Lymphedema PT plus exercises. Fibrosis developed in the breast. It’s an ongoing side effect from the radiation. I’m wearing sleeves & gauntlets, as well. I received compression bras in August and a compression camisole 2 weeks ago. All of this and an occasional wellness class has been a good thing for me. God is too great for me to complain about anything. Sending love, hugs and prayers to everyone.
@char04
I’m doing well now. I had lumpectomy and radiation at first then decided to have prophylactic bilateral mastectomy because of brca2 mutation. God gave me the strength to go through that surgery. I’m a chicken when it comes to surgery! The support I received from our sisters here was tremendous! Thank you all!
I didn’t know you’re still under radiation treatment. Make sure you ask for prescription cream to prevent/stop radiation burn and continue using it to at least two weeks after the treatment end. My radiologist refused to give me the prescription in advance so I used fresh aloe vera from my garden. I cleaned it well with soap and rubbing alcohol. I applied it right after each treatment (in the changing room) and reapplied few times during the day. I only had minor blisters under the nipple because I stop right after the last treatment. So make sure you continue it to prevent blisters.
I’m so sorry about your lymphedema. I had minor lymphoma and had to wear compression sleeve when fly. I had PT for lymphatic message and now am doing on my own. I pray that yours will go away. Your faith is strong and you’ll get through this. Yes, God is walking with us during this difficult times through our cancer sisters here. Hugs.
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Two years out my left breast had settled into what will probably be the last of the changes. Suture scar softened immensely and is not so visible. But this side was just a breast lift and downsizing to match the right. I had a new surgery on my right in November 2024, 2 years after a lumpectomy and 5 day radiation (600 gy each, ttl 3000 gy). It was larger than left side, so they opened up suture area. While in there they removed an inch of internal scar tissue.
I’m now waiting to see if this breast will soften and drop a bit to match left. It is firmer and higher than the first surgery - I think probably because the tissue has some permanent damage. I’m going to physical therapy this Thursday. I’m not sure if she can do anything about keeping scar from forming (surgeon said it was likely more would form - guessing it’s my tissue makeup that’s making it more likely). The radiology NP told me I had quite a bit of thickened skin from radiation, I didn’t know that.
Note to yourself: 7 months is the main time that skin healing and scar formation happens (from the survivorship provider, and the PT). Unfortunately it looks like I missed it. I didn’t know. Sigh. But they say that massage can still make a difference. At this point, I really don’t know if I need therapy because the changes before took 2 years. But I don’t want to wait and find out that I should have done something sooner.
Yes it will. I had implants put back in after lumpectomy but where lump taken out is sunken and I can see implant ripple above area the lump was excised. You have to ignore and be happy you are cancer free. Live and laugh for the blessing you have and a little deformity is a small price to pay for being cancer free.
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4 ReactionsMy lumpectomy was 5 months ago. Stage 2 - metastasized to lymph nodes. It’s been 2 months since my last radiation treatment and by the 3rd or 4th week, I felt really tired. About the 3rd day after my last treatment, my skin got darker and the blisters & peeling started. It was very painful, due to the size of breast, especially in the crease area. That stinging and redness started earlier. I asked about the hardness and was told it was seroma ( clear fluid buildup). Having sharp pains in my left breast, which my surgeon said, “ nerves”. I still experience slight tenderness around the nipple area and area under arm (nodes removal sight, has started to feel swollen and tender. I was instructed by my radiologist to continue my stretches and he would know if I do not. I see him again in November. I never thought I’d be the person to say, I am a breast cancer survivor patient, but here I am. I thank everyone for speaking your truth and being vulnerable and honest about what you have and are going through. This is how we educate ourselves and others. We’re truly blessed to be here and I am grateful & thankful for the opportunity to learn, share and grow from this journey with you all. To God be the glory. Have a beautiful blessed day.💕❤️💕🌸😇
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Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@sharonandkathy
Just turned 65. Had my lumpectomy Aug of this year. I agree they dont give enough info especially follow through. They should offer classes that show pictures and normal recovery times. They ask you if you are in a good place and if you say yes, no psych care. At first, you think everything will look semi normal, after several months when the reality sinks in you need some extra counseling or at least some more questions answered. By that time you are case history and they dont offer anything, and are too busy and dismissive. I had mine through SSM Health in STL. Their care was good through treatment, except for not enough info and followup.
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3 ReactionsI’ll be doing my lumpectomy tomorrow. Scared and worried but it is what it is. Just worried about after surgery recovery 😖😞
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5 Reactions@qingjin16 Best wishes for tomorrow! I was surprised at how easy my lumpectomy went. And recovery, while annoying to have some restrictions, also went well. I was 68 at the time. Stay in touch with the oncology nurse or whomever they say is your immediate contact. We all have different skin reactions so there is no one answer that works for us all - and it’s helpful to find out “is this too red?”, “is this too swollen?” rather than worrying about it.
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Hug
4 Reactions@triciaot thank you ☺️
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2 Reactions@char04
Omg! That must have been very painful for you. I hope you fully recovered by now. Hugs.
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2 Reactions@myoga hello there! I pray all is going well with you. It’s coming close to my last radiation treatment. Update since my last post is that I developed lymphedema in my left arm & breast. The stretches and massage I was doing, well let’s just say, I didn’t have the Midas touch.😂 I did 12 sessions of Lymphedema PT plus exercises. Fibrosis developed in the breast. It’s an ongoing side effect from the radiation. I’m wearing sleeves & gauntlets, as well. I received compression bras in August and a compression camisole 2 weeks ago. All of this and an occasional wellness class has been a good thing for me. God is too great for me to complain about anything. Sending love, hugs and prayers to everyone.
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Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@char04
I’m doing well now. I had lumpectomy and radiation at first then decided to have prophylactic bilateral mastectomy because of brca2 mutation. God gave me the strength to go through that surgery. I’m a chicken when it comes to surgery! The support I received from our sisters here was tremendous! Thank you all!
I didn’t know you’re still under radiation treatment. Make sure you ask for prescription cream to prevent/stop radiation burn and continue using it to at least two weeks after the treatment end. My radiologist refused to give me the prescription in advance so I used fresh aloe vera from my garden. I cleaned it well with soap and rubbing alcohol. I applied it right after each treatment (in the changing room) and reapplied few times during the day. I only had minor blisters under the nipple because I stop right after the last treatment. So make sure you continue it to prevent blisters.
I’m so sorry about your lymphedema. I had minor lymphoma and had to wear compression sleeve when fly. I had PT for lymphatic message and now am doing on my own. I pray that yours will go away. Your faith is strong and you’ll get through this. Yes, God is walking with us during this difficult times through our cancer sisters here. Hugs.
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Helpful -
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5 Reactions