Radiation for Breast cancer after reconstruction. ROCK Hard Breast.
When you are diagnosed with breast cancer a lot of thoughts go through your head. My first thought was I want to fight this disease. I want more time to spend with my granddaughter. I was concerned she would not remember me, which made me feel so sad. My daughters never really had their grandparents.
When My surgeons suggested there was an easy way and a harder way to do reconstruction , I went all in saying , "EASY WAY". Had I known then what I know now , the answer would likely have been different Damn, I should of known better. Things don't usually go the easy way for me , ever.
I do not think I knew I was going to have radiation when I spoke with my breast surgeon or the plastic surgeon doing the surgery. I never had many questions, looking back I should have. ALL I kept thinking was I can not get this surgery over soon enough and begin my recovery.
I am still optimistic about my cancer not returning, but I wish I knew more about the side effects .
I had the surgery , a double mastectomy even though it was my choice , as I could of had just a lumpectomy on my left breast as it was a lesser degree of cancer. I thought the more extreme surgery would lessen the chance of the cancer recurring and all my doctors agreed that it was the better option.
The problem was with the "EASY WAY" was while it was only 1 surgery it was a longer surgery. It took a longer time healing as well. Part of that was that I had just found out weeks prior to the surgery that I am diabetic. so the healing is slower.
Both Chemo and Radiation left me with lasting side effects . The main problem from chemo is Neuropathy,and being so tired. I never knew that was a side effect, but I never really asked . I did ask about the usual side effects. I was never too concerned about it because I have great doctors.
I had 2 weeks to rest before I started radiation. I knew that radiation had side effects,like fatigue low blood cell counts and skin conditions. probably others as well but for me it was rather mild at first.
What I did not know was the implant from my reconstruction surgery could become hard. My header says rock hard, but its more like tennis ball hard.
I was told that sometimes tissue hardens but it can soften. I was told that my implants would drop it takes time . I am a patient person . I know healing take a long time especially from cancer treatment. I am not a complainer when I visit my doctors , but I realize now maybe I should at least ask questions and not be in a rush to get the hell out of the doctors office.
I never was told about hardening implants,caused by radiation. Never heard anyone say anything about that happening. The reason I am writing this is because I want people to know ask questions if you need treatment . Ask will you need radiation ,before you have reconstruction. Think about whether the easy way is really the easy way. Now I have to see what I can get done to help with the situation I am in. It is funny what you can get used to living with but "tennis ball "breast is not one of them ! I may have to but I hope not. This summer It will be 2 years since I first had my surgery, and I will be considered in remission . Then it will only be 8 more years till I am considered cured. I will let you know ASK. Ask, any question,even if you are in a rush to get the cancer out of your body. Find out in what order your treatment will be . I did not I just blindly let my doctors that I trust ,still trust, lead me. Do some research. I didn't do enough.Don't have that regret. I will say I will write again after I talk to my plastic surgeon next Thursday,if anything can be done ,or if I need to learn to live with this too.
When My surgeons suggested there was an easy way and a harder way to do reconstruction , I went all in saying , "EASY WAY". Had I known then what I know now , the answer would likely have been different Damn, I should of known better. Things don't usually go the easy way for me , ever.
I do not think I knew I was going to have radiation when I spoke with my breast surgeon or the plastic surgeon doing the surgery. I never had many questions, looking back I should have. ALL I kept thinking was I can not get this surgery over soon enough and begin my recovery.
I am still optimistic about my cancer not returning, but I wish I knew more about the side effects .
I had the surgery , a double mastectomy even though it was my choice , as I could of had just a lumpectomy on my left breast as it was a lesser degree of cancer. I thought the more extreme surgery would lessen the chance of the cancer recurring and all my doctors agreed that it was the better option.
The problem was with the "EASY WAY" was while it was only 1 surgery it was a longer surgery. It took a longer time healing as well. Part of that was that I had just found out weeks prior to the surgery that I am diabetic. so the healing is slower.
Both Chemo and Radiation left me with lasting side effects . The main problem from chemo is Neuropathy,and being so tired. I never knew that was a side effect, but I never really asked . I did ask about the usual side effects. I was never too concerned about it because I have great doctors.
I had 2 weeks to rest before I started radiation. I knew that radiation had side effects,like fatigue low blood cell counts and skin conditions. probably others as well but for me it was rather mild at first.
What I did not know was the implant from my reconstruction surgery could become hard. My header says rock hard, but its more like tennis ball hard.
I was told that sometimes tissue hardens but it can soften. I was told that my implants would drop it takes time . I am a patient person . I know healing take a long time especially from cancer treatment. I am not a complainer when I visit my doctors , but I realize now maybe I should at least ask questions and not be in a rush to get the hell out of the doctors office.
I never was told about hardening implants,caused by radiation. Never heard anyone say anything about that happening. The reason I am writing this is because I want people to know ask questions if you need treatment . Ask will you need radiation ,before you have reconstruction. Think about whether the easy way is really the easy way. Now I have to see what I can get done to help with the situation I am in. It is funny what you can get used to living with but "tennis ball "breast is not one of them ! I may have to but I hope not. This summer It will be 2 years since I first had my surgery, and I will be considered in remission . Then it will only be 8 more years till I am considered cured. I will let you know ASK. Ask, any question,even if you are in a rush to get the cancer out of your body. Find out in what order your treatment will be . I did not I just blindly let my doctors that I trust ,still trust, lead me. Do some research. I didn't do enough.Don't have that regret. I will say I will write again after I talk to my plastic surgeon next Thursday,if anything can be done ,or if I need to learn to live with this too.
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