Radiation necrosis concern

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Teach76
Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

Hi, friends!  I am almost 11 months out of treatment, and I do have multiple appointments scheduled in about 2 weeks (once school is over.).  the last time I saw my surgeon and had mammogram and US, she said a lump I was feeling was just scar tissue.  I am scheduled for a follow up mammogram and US before I see her.  I worry because after my neoadjuvant chemo I was congratulated that my cancer was "gone,". Then after surgery I was told that there were 2 areas of cells that had remained.  Praise God that I decided to continue with the surgery.

My concern is that I feel the area of scar tisdue has grown larger.  Is this normal?  If the tests ordered do not conclusively prove this is just necrosis, what further testing should I request?  I have been under a tremendous amount of personal and professional stress, and I know that is not helping my perspective about what is going on physically.  I keep telling myself that 10 days from now I can begin to relax, but that is also when the onslaught of doctor appointments will start.  Oh, why did I do this to myself?!?!?  I was due back in May, but the end of a school year is no time to be taking off, and substitutes are difficult to find.  ( Sorry, pity party over now.)

  thanks for letting me vent and for any advice as to questions I need to ask for my first annual appointments.  You are all terrific at thinking of things that seem so obvious, but when we are in stress/fear mode, we can not think.

  Enjoy the sun if it passes your way today!

Kathy

 

 

Comments

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #2
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    I have no resolution or

    I have no resolution or advice.  Just hope someone out there has some input that can give you a little piece of mind.  Best wishes for you.

  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    #3
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    This is my second bout with

    This is my second bout with BC.  First surgery on the right breast 7 years ago.  I STILL have what feels like a lump to me, but every year after my mammograph I ask and they tell me it is scar tissue.  I am an Africian American Women and they say we kelo easier and scar tissue takes a long time to go away, if ever.  I had my second surgery on the left breast on April 26 and the scar tissue has almost gone away.  I had different surgeons and maybe one was more skilled than the other.  Try not to worry about it too much but keep asking every chance you get and every doctor you see.  Early detection right!  

    I'm waiting on the results of my oncotype test to help decide if I need chemo this time around.  If not, I will get 20 rounds of radiation starting the 3rd week of this month.  The waiting for all the test results is stressing me out.  I have some anxiety about  radiation on the left side so close to the heart.  The radiation oncologist said we have to be very careful but they can position me on the table so that they can avoid radiating any of the heart tissues.  Have anyone had discussions on radiation and the heart?

  • meschellejensen
    meschellejensen Member Posts: 117
    edited June 2017 #4
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    Teach76/Sparkle1

    Teach 76-  I cannot speak to radiation necrosis as I am only currently having radiation, but I can speak to professional stress related to teaching.  I love working with students, but there is quite a bit of stress related to some of the other aspects of our job.  I am spending the summer having radiation and trying to figure out how I am going to address the nonessential stress that I have allowed to dominate my time.  I am also focusing on ways to take better care of myself when I am working (i.e. asking my doctor to write a letter requesting access to a refridgerator, bathroom breaks, uninterupted lunch breaks etc.)  I cannot tell you how often I leave work and realize that I didn't get lunch becaue I was at a meeting, didn't drink water because I had no time to visit the restroom, ate a protien bar loaded with chemicals because I have no access to a refridgerator.  I love teaching, but I also have to take care of my body better than that now, and I am going home after an eight hour day next year, not twelve.

    Sparkle1-I am currently receiving radiation on the left side.  My RO planned my treatment around my anatomy as I hold my breath, this moves my heart out of the radiation field.  The machine only turns on as I hold my breath.  I am sure that radiation is faster and easier without the breath holding, but the protection that is provided for my heart makes it worth it.

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
    #5
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    meschellejensen said:

    Teach76/Sparkle1

    Teach 76-  I cannot speak to radiation necrosis as I am only currently having radiation, but I can speak to professional stress related to teaching.  I love working with students, but there is quite a bit of stress related to some of the other aspects of our job.  I am spending the summer having radiation and trying to figure out how I am going to address the nonessential stress that I have allowed to dominate my time.  I am also focusing on ways to take better care of myself when I am working (i.e. asking my doctor to write a letter requesting access to a refridgerator, bathroom breaks, uninterupted lunch breaks etc.)  I cannot tell you how often I leave work and realize that I didn't get lunch becaue I was at a meeting, didn't drink water because I had no time to visit the restroom, ate a protien bar loaded with chemicals because I have no access to a refridgerator.  I love teaching, but I also have to take care of my body better than that now, and I am going home after an eight hour day next year, not twelve.

    Sparkle1-I am currently receiving radiation on the left side.  My RO planned my treatment around my anatomy as I hold my breath, this moves my heart out of the radiation field.  The machine only turns on as I hold my breath.  I am sure that radiation is faster and easier without the breath holding, but the protection that is provided for my heart makes it worth it.

    Finally, someone gets it!

    I am so glad to be sharing the teaching profession with you!  Finally, someone understands!  Right now I have so much stress - was in a meeting every day this week to plan next year's schedule - quick yogurt and fruit bar, no bathroom break from 10:15 to 3:40.  Now my back has been extremely itchy - waiting for shingles to surface.  I had the same pain/itchiness before they broke out before.

    if anyone thinks we do not deserve the summer to recover, I invite them to walk in our shoes!  We have a sweet lady who often substitutes in our building who is a 15 year survivor.  What a great resource she has been to me!

    As a survivor, I feel people look at me and see that I have hair now, so what is the problem?  My brain fog has been very bad the past 2 weeks - I have called kids by the wrong name, and I can not find the papers I am holding in my hand.  I am hoping this is all stress related and not a further concern.

    Thank you for the gifts you share with your children!  The silent rewards are something only another teacher can understand.

    Blessings!

    Kathy

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited June 2017 #6
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    Kathy

    I am not a teacher, my daughter is one and I see the stress on her.  I let her vent to me all the time.  People dont understand at all and think oh, that has to be one of the easiest professions around.  NOPE, nada.  I worry about my daughter on a daily basis.  I hope she calls me one day and says she quit.  But she won't, like most teacher's, she is a special kind of person. 

    Hugs

    Annie

  • Mariangel43
    Mariangel43 Member Posts: 79
    edited June 2017 #7
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    Hello, ladies,


  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    #8
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    meschellejensen said:

    Teach76/Sparkle1

    Teach 76-  I cannot speak to radiation necrosis as I am only currently having radiation, but I can speak to professional stress related to teaching.  I love working with students, but there is quite a bit of stress related to some of the other aspects of our job.  I am spending the summer having radiation and trying to figure out how I am going to address the nonessential stress that I have allowed to dominate my time.  I am also focusing on ways to take better care of myself when I am working (i.e. asking my doctor to write a letter requesting access to a refridgerator, bathroom breaks, uninterupted lunch breaks etc.)  I cannot tell you how often I leave work and realize that I didn't get lunch becaue I was at a meeting, didn't drink water because I had no time to visit the restroom, ate a protien bar loaded with chemicals because I have no access to a refridgerator.  I love teaching, but I also have to take care of my body better than that now, and I am going home after an eight hour day next year, not twelve.

    Sparkle1-I am currently receiving radiation on the left side.  My RO planned my treatment around my anatomy as I hold my breath, this moves my heart out of the radiation field.  The machine only turns on as I hold my breath.  I am sure that radiation is faster and easier without the breath holding, but the protection that is provided for my heart makes it worth it.

    Meschellejensen

    Thank you for replying.  I have been so worried about this.  Also still waiting on the oncotype test to come back.  FRUSTRATED!!!

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #9
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    I had a 2nd breast surgery to

    I had a 2nd breast surgery to the same side-due to Mammo saw something! After it was all said and done it was scar tissue-thankfully.

     

    Denise

  • Teach76
    Teach76 Member Posts: 354 Member
    #10
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    Scar tissue dx

    Well, the mammogram/ ultrasound results state an irregular avascular(no blood flowing through) hypoechoic (solid)  3 cm mass.  While it is classified as "probably benign" surgeon will recheck in 6 months.  She did her own US as I expected she would, and for now, I am satisfied that she feels it is just scar tissue.  I will take the summer and fall and enjoy all that there is to come, and in December I will ride the pink bus to the next screening.

    thank you to all - you continue in my prayers!

    Kathy

  • Hopeful101
    Hopeful101 Member Posts: 2
    #11
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    meschellejensen said:

    Teach76/Sparkle1

    Teach 76-  I cannot speak to radiation necrosis as I am only currently having radiation, but I can speak to professional stress related to teaching.  I love working with students, but there is quite a bit of stress related to some of the other aspects of our job.  I am spending the summer having radiation and trying to figure out how I am going to address the nonessential stress that I have allowed to dominate my time.  I am also focusing on ways to take better care of myself when I am working (i.e. asking my doctor to write a letter requesting access to a refridgerator, bathroom breaks, uninterupted lunch breaks etc.)  I cannot tell you how often I leave work and realize that I didn't get lunch becaue I was at a meeting, didn't drink water because I had no time to visit the restroom, ate a protien bar loaded with chemicals because I have no access to a refridgerator.  I love teaching, but I also have to take care of my body better than that now, and I am going home after an eight hour day next year, not twelve.

    Sparkle1-I am currently receiving radiation on the left side.  My RO planned my treatment around my anatomy as I hold my breath, this moves my heart out of the radiation field.  The machine only turns on as I hold my breath.  I am sure that radiation is faster and easier without the breath holding, but the protection that is provided for my heart makes it worth it.

    Radiation on left side

    Lumpectomy/partial mastectomy surgery was on left breast May 2017. I am on round # 4 out of 21 sessions of radiation on the left breast. My treatment also involves holding my breath when the machine is on. I was told that this targeted radiation will not reach my heart. I was wondering if you have any other information to share as my emotions tend to be all over the place although I am much better. Wondering about Teach76 and you too Sparkle 1 Also, wonder why I seem to have a dull feeling, not a headache, just a heavy feeling. Also, what kind of nutrition did they advise while on radiation? Thanks.

     

  • Hopeful101
    Hopeful101 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2017 #12
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    meschellejensen said:

    Teach76/Sparkle1

    Teach 76-  I cannot speak to radiation necrosis as I am only currently having radiation, but I can speak to professional stress related to teaching.  I love working with students, but there is quite a bit of stress related to some of the other aspects of our job.  I am spending the summer having radiation and trying to figure out how I am going to address the nonessential stress that I have allowed to dominate my time.  I am also focusing on ways to take better care of myself when I am working (i.e. asking my doctor to write a letter requesting access to a refridgerator, bathroom breaks, uninterupted lunch breaks etc.)  I cannot tell you how often I leave work and realize that I didn't get lunch becaue I was at a meeting, didn't drink water because I had no time to visit the restroom, ate a protien bar loaded with chemicals because I have no access to a refridgerator.  I love teaching, but I also have to take care of my body better than that now, and I am going home after an eight hour day next year, not twelve.

    Sparkle1-I am currently receiving radiation on the left side.  My RO planned my treatment around my anatomy as I hold my breath, this moves my heart out of the radiation field.  The machine only turns on as I hold my breath.  I am sure that radiation is faster and easier without the breath holding, but the protection that is provided for my heart makes it worth it.

    Radiation on left side

    What kind of nutrition is advised while on radiation? Thanks.

     

  • meschellejensen
    meschellejensen Member Posts: 117
    #13
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    Hopeful101 said:

    Radiation on left side

    Lumpectomy/partial mastectomy surgery was on left breast May 2017. I am on round # 4 out of 21 sessions of radiation on the left breast. My treatment also involves holding my breath when the machine is on. I was told that this targeted radiation will not reach my heart. I was wondering if you have any other information to share as my emotions tend to be all over the place although I am much better. Wondering about Teach76 and you too Sparkle 1 Also, wonder why I seem to have a dull feeling, not a headache, just a heavy feeling. Also, what kind of nutrition did they advise while on radiation? Thanks.

     

    Nutrition During Radiation

    Hopeful-I just finished radiation on my left side two weeks ago, and also did the breath holding to protect my heart.  My nutritionist recommended basically a plant based diet with at least three servings of protein at each meal. She did say that meat three times a week was okay, although red meat was not not recommended for me at all.  Her focus is on plant based protien like lentils and beans and  lean meat like chicken and fish.   I was also told that regular exercise would help with fatigue throughout radiation and after.  My Nutritionist recommended at least thirty minutes a day of exercise.  The goal is to work up to an hour a day as the fatigue passes. Also, Calendula is amazing and helped with my skin so much throughout the process.   Please let me know if there is any information that I can provide!  Best of luck to you!

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