Hi I had a lumpectomy in march. Also a complete reduction in both breast , I have been in pain in the left breast ever since, which is the one I had lump and lymph nodes removed.
Hi Lindylum. I had lumpectomy, nodes removed and radiation treatment and have still been in pain 20 months post treatment. I've had several issues with fluid and other things and am always told it's early days, nerves take time to heal, etc. I had convinced myself cancer was back a few months back as nipple was itching and severe pain in ribs/under side of breast. Turned out after PET scan its bone and joint damage from treatment. So give yourself a chance to heal but do go to Dr if you are really concerned.
I am very fortunate that I can ring my breast care nurse if ever I'm concerned and will be seen by a Dr if she thinks it's needed. Recovery takes a very long time and we all react differently to each stage. The hardest lesson I had to learn was accepting my limitations.
So take it easy and just listen to your body. I do hope the pain subsides.
I am sorry to hear that you are still having pain this long after your lumpectomy. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy the first time and a year later, I had a double mastectomy. I was uncomfortable in breast and arm after my lumpectomy and again after my masectomies, but nothing that I cannot cope with. I am still tender underarm where I had 6 nodes removed. Fortunately these were all clear, but that was 9 years ago, so I don't expect it to get any better now.
As Jbains has said, she is still in pain 20 months later, so we are all different. It is not unusual to have an infection after surgery, but I would have expected this to flare up if you had it for this long.
Did you get given a number for the breast care nurse? This is the best place to start. Give her a phone and see what she suggests. I have had a few false alarms, but my BC Nurse has always fitted me in within a day or two and, sometimes, even on the same day.
Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
Hiya, I had a wide local excision ( lumpectomy) and ancillary node sampling, followed by 21 sessions of radiotherapy in 2010. My affected breast and surrounding area is constantly tender. I work with my breast consultant in operating theatre and have been told this will always be so. The tenderness is caused by radiation damage to the tissues. I'm sorry to tell you this but think it's best to know as I know at first I worried that my cancer had returned. I find some comfort when relaxing from alternating warm/cool packs. I wish you well
Thank you nanasoup for your post. Am 13 mths post lumpectomy and radiotherapy and sometimes get the most stabbing pains and itchy ness in my nipple. My BC nurse said it takes time to heal but knowing your consultant says it may always will feel like this makes it a bit more acceptable. wishing you all a positive outcome.
As all the ladies have said above it is unfortunately that way. I had lumpectomy on the right side and node biopsy followed by 6 weeks of radiation in 2017 and never felt 100% and have always suffered fatigue as well as pain and swelling. I was also told by my consultant it's for life so we just have to accept what is as hard as it is. It's definitely not easy but you got this.
My fear was always the cancer had come back with every pain however that is the fear inside and is totally normal.
I unfortunately did get cancer back in my other breast and the signs I got were stabbing pains in left side, rash and extreme fatigue but being under the radar and having yearly mammograms has caught it early enough. I've had another lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed with 5 sessions of radiation and seroma so to me now pain in the breasts is just a part of life. Remember not everyone has the same cancer or pathway and you are now under the radar and being monitored which is the most important thing. What I read was depending on your dna, type of cancer cells and only 6-8% of women get a low grade cancer on one side and a second cancer on the other side. To me, asking lots of questions and reading reputable studies has given me knowledge which has given me control as I'm a bit of a control freak! Remember each persons cancer is as unique as you and your dna.
The main thing is to listen to your body and do what is possible for you but I will say exercise has most definitely helped. I am now slowly getting myself to strength training so that I can stay healthy. Every single one of us reacts differently to every stage of this whole process so do what you can and try to enjoy the things you like doing and if you can't do those then try to find something new. All these changes to normality are hard to accept but you are doing great - all of us - having made it thru diagnosis, operation and treatment so remember - you got this!
I am now 12 years after my first bout of cancer and 11 from the second. I didn't have radiotherapy, but I still have pain under the arm where I had 6 lymph nodes removed and pains in my chest. I consider this a small price to pay for staying alive.
Don't lose heart, as some people do find that the pain lessens with time.
Thank you all for the reassurance! I had my lumpectomy in Dec last year and radiotherapy in March. At first I thought I had cruised through it but the pain came a few weeks ago, I felt a lump and convinced myself the cancer was back. I agree it is a small price to pay. We are Survivors.
A very warm welcome to our forum. We often refer to our cancer journeys as a rollercoaster. One minute we're doing well, then we receive another set back.
We all live with the fear of recurrence and it is all too easy to convince ourselves that the cancer is back. This is something that we have to learn to live with.
As you say, it is a small price to pay. Stay positive and celebrate the fact that we are all survivors. Please keep in touch and remember that we are always here for you.
Hi I had my lumpectomy in Dec and radiotherapy in March and the last few weeks I have felt hardness where my original lump was removed. It's also very sore and tender. My bcn keeps saying its healing but I feel it should be ok by now. I'm waiting for onco to ring back. How are you now J
