topic Re: Breast Cancer Surviors in Wellness

Breast Cancer Surviors

JaneMarple — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:21:57 GMT

I had a mastectomy this past July and want to know what your experiences were months later. At this point around my breast area, the nerves are coming back which includes itching and tingling. Did anyone of you experience this? And did you still have swelling?

Thank You.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

gizmogal — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:41:46 GMT

I'm not able to answer your important questions from my own experience. I've included links to sites that are active forums of breast cancer survivors. They readily answer questions just like yours.

Same as you ask for help from these QVC forums, you can get in depth responses in forums dedicated to women sharing your own experiences and treatments. And unlike this QVC forum, you can ask for people to contact you directly or ask for their contact information so you have their support and direct access to women who could be friends as well as advisors. Also, trained oncology professionals contribute to the forums linked below. They answer questions, too.

https://www.breastcancer.org

https://forum.breastcancernow.org

https://www.cardonations4cancer.org/blog/top-10-breast-cancer-online-support-forums/

I hope you have a successful full recovery and you are able to have your questions answered to your satisfaction.

Hope I helped. Have a healthy peaceful new year ahead.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

DrKelli — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:09:09 GMT

3 year survivor here. Did not have a mastectomy, but 2 lumpectomies--one was right on the nipple and let me tell you--when the nerves started regenerating, I thought I was going to punch someone. So yes, what you are experiencing is normal. And by normal--please put that in air quotes because everyone is different.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

DrKelli — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:11:06 GMT

Also talk to your oncologists--they can recommend things to help--there is a 'magic' potion of lidocaine and aquaphor that helped. I got it from the radiation oncologist. And yes--there will be swelling for awhile, but if you are concerned--talk to your surgeon and oncologist--they can confirm the normality of it all. I know you see them a lot LOL! Your life becomes one never ending doctor appointment for about a year.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

Squirt60 — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:11:31 GMT

I also had a mastectomy a few years ago and I did experience itching and tingling in the area. It will eventually get better so just hang in there. I still have a little numbness due to nerve damage but nothing I can't handle.

Good luck in your recovery if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. I can try and help you as much as I can.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

Seannie — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:23:40 GMT

8 year survivor here. Had three surgeries with partial mastectomy. Would only have needed 2 surgeries with an average surgeon but I had a low-quality one. At this point, I would say most scar tissue is softening but every once in a while I get a sharp pain which surprises me. Nerves may take a while to regenerate, I guess.

Seannie

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

bargainsgirl — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:29:20 GMT

I did not have a masectomy but I did have a lumpectomy/radiation 7 years ago. I did experience some tingling as healing went on. It takes many months to completely heal from any surgery so what you are feeling is pretty normal. Always consult with your cancer team when you have questions and concerns. They were very helpful to me. To this day I experiance tenderness in my breast most likely from the radiation. It does harden the tissue that was radiated and causes it to be sensitive. My radiologist suggested massaging the area when I am in the shower. It does help. I also do some exercises which you can find online. Best of luck for your recovery!!

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

JFD12 — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 01:03:46 GMT

Hi @JaneMarple I just had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction 3 weeks ago today! 🤪 I have a great team of doctors here at Mass General. I've been living at the doctors' offices these past 2 months! My breast cancer was discovered during a routine, yearly mammogram, out of the blue.

The NP told me last week that it will take about 6 months or so for everything to settle in. I have sweling still, of course, but I swear I felt I could have gone right back to work two weeks ago, and still doing great right now!! 😊 (with 2 more appointments end of the week!) 🤪

Sorry I can't help more (just yet) but I am wishing you and everyone else here the best in recovery!

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

feline groovy — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 01:47:54 GMT

Not a breast cancer survivor but my mom was.

Just here to wish you continued better health.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

MarieIG — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 02:54:34 GMT

Yes. It calmed down, although still itches once in a whille, but much, much, less often. I did not regain normal feeling but am ok with that.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

nevergivesup — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 04:04:20 GMT

I had a mastectomy 25 years ago when I was 48. While I have forgotten a lot of specifics over the years, I definitely do remember the discomfort of a “pins and needles” feeling. Fortunately this mostly dissipated over time but strangely I still experience an occasional stab like feeling.

To @JaneMarple and all the other survivors I wish you the best of health and happiness in 2023. We belong to a very large sisterhood; let’s pray that someday this curse will be gone.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

LindaSal — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:06:12 GMT

Coming up on 8 years for me in March, but I had a lumpectomy. Even so I still have sensitivity in that area. I cannot even wear a bra as it is too uncomfortable. I accepted years ago that I will never be the same but you know, I'm just happy to be here...........stage 3, found the lump myself and had never missed a mammogram. Life has a way of throwing you curveballs doesn't it?? I wish you the best of health in the future.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

wagirl — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:11:23 GMT

I am a ten year breast cancer survivor as of this year. Had mastectomy for the "bad" boob in 2012 after diagnosis. then decided to remove the other one in 2016. Had no reconstruction on either. I still have tenderness in the original mastectomy, but I think that is more from having radiation over that area too. Had some nerve pain and probably swelling as well but I really didn't have any issues other than the healing process. Sounds to me like you are healing and those nerves take an incrediblely long time to re connect and heal. but of course, if you notice anything weird--do not hestitate to call your dr. Good luck!!

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

JaneMarple — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 20:42:43 GMT

Thank you everyone for your very informative answers and experiences. I've joined a few facebook groups as well as a group from the hospital but I felt my questions wasn't as important as the others when some women have such bad experiences and issues.

One quick experience this past week, I went away for Christmas and each way was flagged by security because of my prosthesis. I was lucky that each time I had a woman agent to explain this to. LOL

Have a Happy New Year

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

feline groovy — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 21:48:10 GMT

@JaneMarple : did you happen to give your prosthesis a nickname?

My mom got one when she was 45; I was 14. I named 'her' "Frederica".

Happy 2023 to you

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

JaneMarple — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 22:45:38 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
@JaneMarple : did you happen to give your prosthesis a nickname?
My mom got one when she was 45; I was 14. I named 'her' "Frederica".

Happy 2023 to you
@feline groovy wrote:
@JaneMarple : did you happen to give your prosthesis a nickname?
My mom got one when she was 45; I was 14. I named 'her' "Frederica".

Happy 2023 to you

Funny you asked @feline groovy , my three girl's name start with "M" so I named my prosthesis "Maxine".

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

feline groovy — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 23:50:49 GMT

@JaneMarple wrote:
@feline groovy wrote:
@JaneMarple : did you happen to give your prosthesis a nickname?
My mom got one when she was 45; I was 14. I named 'her' "Frederica".

Happy 2023 to you
@feline groovy wrote:
@JaneMarple : did you happen to give your prosthesis a nickname?
My mom got one when she was 45; I was 14. I named 'her' "Frederica".

Happy 2023 to you

Funny you asked @feline groovy , my three girl's name start with "M" so I named my prosthesis "Maxine".

@JaneMarple :

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

SouthernBee — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 03:32:43 GMT

Breast cancer 2003 with mastectomy on right side due to HRT. Went through hot flashes etc several years earlier and had to deal with again due to cancer medication. Didn't have infusions just pills but had a lot of side effects and on medication for 7 years. Never went bald but hair really thin and a lot of changes. Still dealing with with tenderness, sometimes very sore under the incision. Always underweight until 2003 and now constantly dealing with weight gain. Major issues with strength and energy. I try not to focus on the negative but remain positive and count my Blessings and live everyday fully.🤗🤗

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

wagirl — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:24:44 GMT

@JaneMarple --haha--yes I had that happen to me too---but no one asked me about that--my faux boobs I called my "party" boobs--whoop, whoop!!! don't wear them anymore---I go completely flat these days.

Re: Breast Cancer Surviors

wagirl — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:30:14 GMT

@SouthernBee --my cancer was due to taking HRTs during menopause----then in 2012 had surgery, radiation and chemo and took pills until the beginning of this year--was bald and but hair grew back fast. I still deal with the fatigue and energy loss. And am still tender at incison site. but we are both upright and taking nourishment, right?!---