pain like a bruise, on my side 1 year after lumpectomy...normal?

KeriCon

I am coming up on my one year from surgery mark next month.  I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation.  For the past few weeks I feel like there is a bruise on my side, below where my bra strap goes on the side where I had my lumpectomy.  It feels like a black and blue but there is no visible bruise.  When I stretch my arm up like to reach something, I feel pain.  It also hurts when I lay down,  and also when I rub my hand along that part of my body.  Could it be nerve damage?  Or a side effect of radiation?  Has anyone experienced this??  

coco2008

I have no idea what might be

I have no idea what might be causing it, but I would definitly be calling and letting my onco know so he can check it out.  Please keep us updated.  i will keep you in prayer.

Sandy

KeriCon

coco2008 said:

I have no idea what might be

I have no idea what might be causing it, but I would definitly be calling and letting my onco know so he can check it out.  Please keep us updated.  i will keep you in prayer.

Sandy

I have appt Mon

I called my surgeon to see which of the many doctors I see now to call....so confusing!  She said to go to my PCP because I would be seen much quicker.  I have an appointment on Monday.

 

Thank you for the prayers and for the reply.  This was my first posting - I didn't know where else to look for advice.

 

Thank you!

Keri

ladyg

I have the same problem and I

I have the same problem and I am over 3 yrs. post treatment. I did have the same as you a lumpectomy with 7 nodes removed and them radiation. As soon as I noticed the problem I told all of my drs. I even went for x-rays to make sure there were no cracked bones. The conclusion was that it is a side effect of radiation  and may or may not go away. It is not as bad now as it was but still feels like a bruise when touched.  I hope this gives you a little piece of mind.

Hugs,

Georgia

KeriCon

ladyg said:

I have the same problem and I

I have the same problem and I am over 3 yrs. post treatment. I did have the same as you a lumpectomy with 7 nodes removed and them radiation. As soon as I noticed the problem I told all of my drs. I even went for x-rays to make sure there were no cracked bones. The conclusion was that it is a side effect of radiation  and may or may not go away. It is not as bad now as it was but still feels like a bruise when touched.  I hope this gives you a little piece of mind.

Hugs,

Georgia

Georgia,
Oh my gosh...Thank

Georgia,

Oh my gosh...Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  (Even though it isn't the greatest news.)  But I will take this little reminder over the alternative, anyday. After the year I have had, I could handle this.  Thank you for putting my mind at ease a little bit.

 

Have a good night.

Hugs back,

Keri

 

Double Whammy

KeriCon said:

Georgia,
Oh my gosh...Thank

Georgia,

Oh my gosh...Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  (Even though it isn't the greatest news.)  But I will take this little reminder over the alternative, anyday. After the year I have had, I could handle this.  Thank you for putting my mind at ease a little bit.

 

Have a good night.

Hugs back,

Keri

 

3 years and I still have pain

Keri-  Keep that appointment because it is better to feel silly for worrying than to feel stupid for not.  My boob still is tender almost 3 years after radiation.  "They" like to blame things on radiation and that's what they think is causing my tenderness.  I have most of it around the canyon (I mean lumpectomy site).  But my entire breast is still just sensitive. Sort of like a premenstrual breast or nursing breast.  I mentioned it at my last oncology visit and guess what the oncologist said?  Edema from radiation.  Really?   I see a NP in surgical oncology for my 6 month exams now.  I can get in to see her very quickly (and I have) if I'm worried about something.   I have an MRI coming up in December which is another look.  Afterall,  the oncologist could only look at the outside, I need to know the inside is ok, too.  And my visits, although only every 6 months now, are sort of staggered with a breast exam, then a mammogram or MRI (I get my results electronically), then about 6 weeks later the oncologist.  I sort of like they way that's evolved.  It got that way because of rescheduling - they used to be clumped together but this gives me an opportunity to give something I'm concerned about a little more time and knowing I have an appointment soon as well as someone else to bring it up to. 

Good luck with your appointment.  Please let us know how it goes.  You may get the old "given your history, we should order this or that" so be prepared.  I'd rather they do this or that rather than dismiss symptoms because you never know . . .

Suzanne

KeriCon

Double Whammy said:

3 years and I still have pain

Keri-  Keep that appointment because it is better to feel silly for worrying than to feel stupid for not.  My boob still is tender almost 3 years after radiation.  "They" like to blame things on radiation and that's what they think is causing my tenderness.  I have most of it around the canyon (I mean lumpectomy site).  But my entire breast is still just sensitive. Sort of like a premenstrual breast or nursing breast.  I mentioned it at my last oncology visit and guess what the oncologist said?  Edema from radiation.  Really?   I see a NP in surgical oncology for my 6 month exams now.  I can get in to see her very quickly (and I have) if I'm worried about something.   I have an MRI coming up in December which is another look.  Afterall,  the oncologist could only look at the outside, I need to know the inside is ok, too.  And my visits, although only every 6 months now, are sort of staggered with a breast exam, then a mammogram or MRI (I get my results electronically), then about 6 weeks later the oncologist.  I sort of like they way that's evolved.  It got that way because of rescheduling - they used to be clumped together but this gives me an opportunity to give something I'm concerned about a little more time and knowing I have an appointment soon as well as someone else to bring it up to. 

Good luck with your appointment.  Please let us know how it goes.  You may get the old "given your history, we should order this or that" so be prepared.  I'd rather they do this or that rather than dismiss symptoms because you never know . . .

Suzanne

Suzanne,
I will definitely

Suzanne,

I will definitely keep the appointment I have for Monday.  I would rather get it looked at then always wonder what it is.  Not knowing what is going on inside is very scary - moreso now!  The pain is more on my side, not on my breast, so I was concerned.  My breast is still sore and I would love the day TO COME when I could lay on my stomach to go to sleep again without a whole bunch of repositioning!  But it is what it is, right?

 

Thank you for your kindness,

Keri

deeb111

pain

Yes I also get pain but I am told its scar tissue so I hope this helps best of luck be well

KeriCon

deeb111 said:

pain

Yes I also get pain but I am told its scar tissue so I hope this helps best of luck be well

Thank you deeb111

Thank you.  It just seemed a little odd to me that the pain is not on my breast but lower down my side.  I have an appointment this afternoon just to check and to put my mind at ease...

 

Thank you for your reply

: )

KeriCon

KeriCon said:

Thank you deeb111

Thank you.  It just seemed a little odd to me that the pain is not on my breast but lower down my side.  I have an appointment this afternoon just to check and to put my mind at ease...

 

Thank you for your reply

: )

doc visit

I went to my pcp today who had me have x-rays taken of my ribs in case they are broken?  I think I would feel a little more pain if that was the case, but she's the doctor, not me.  She also wrote a prescription for an anti-inflmmatory drug to see if it is just a pulled muscle.  So, I take the meds and see what the x-rays show...

 

Keri