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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / February 2006Do I have a scar problem?
I had a mastectomy on 23rd. September, and while it's all now healed, the seroma and infection I developed have gone, and I'm to have my second chemotherapy session this coming Thursday, I have concerns about the scar, or rather the flesh above and around it. It all feels very hard, and sometimes it feels harder than others. Sometimes I feel as though someone inserted a breastplate in there before sewing me up, and while I've exercised to maintain mobility, still there's a certain amount of "tug" when I do some of the exercises. I have to admit that when I was diagnosed and offered almost immediate surgery, I didn't discuss scarring with the surgeon, because I was more preoccupied with the decision whether to go for lumpectomy or mastectomy. I've spent quite some time searching the internet for information, without finding anything relevant. What I want to know is, is this normal? Will it go away in time? Am I being impatient, as usual? <"x[yz]en"@hotmail.com wrote in message news:himbp11lsdp4j93sklptd5ingnj0ec7n95@4ax.com... > I had a mastectomy on 23rd. September, and while it's all now healed, > the seroma and infection I developed have gone, and I'm to have my [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > What I want to know is, is this normal? Will it go away in time? Am I > being impatient, as usual? Hi It is early days and I had the same problem...and was so concerned that the doc did an ultra-sound 3 months after the op just scar tissue.....was i chuffed!!!! Hope todays needle biopsy shows the same.......Like I said to hubby i can put up with it as long as it aint anything nasty!!!!! If you are worried, ring your oncologist, they are there for you..Don't feel that you can't.. It's your life and they know that... I still 'feel' it under my arm when I throw a ball for the dog .. and I had lumpectomy in january!!!!! Hope everything is ok .... (((( ))))) hugs Pam ><"x[yz]en"@hotmail.com wrote in message >news:himbp11lsdp4j93sklptd5ingnj0ec7n95@4ax.com... [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >> What I want to know is, is this normal? Will it go away in time? Am I >> being impatient, as usual? > It is early days and I had the same problem...and was so concerned that >the doc did an ultra-sound 3 months after the op [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >and I had lumpectomy in january!!!!! Hope everything is ok .... > (((( ))))) hugs Pam Thanks for responding so quickly, and thanks for the hugs and good wishes. I hope your needle biopsy shows that everything is fine. Regards, Geraldine Hi Did you have a follow up with your surgeon? Did your oncologist check it out also? If you're really concerned you should raise it with them. My oncologist checked me over before starting me on chemo and I actually had another ultrasound as she found a lump...turned out to be seroma. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on Oct 3rd and can relate to some of the sensation you're describing. I have not got back all my mobility and I'm exercising regularly also. It also feels like a breast plate (great description btw) in there. When talking to others who have had surgery I've been told it can take up to a year to feel normal again. Did you have nodes removed also? that can add to the feeling of pulling as I feel that more on the side where nodes were removed than on the side that they weren't. Hope this helps but as I said if in doubt ask the doctor...that's what they're there for. Good luck Moz > I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on Oct 3rd and can relate to some of the > sensation you're describing. I have not got back all my mobility and > I'm exercising regularly also. It also feels like a breast plate (great > description btw) in there. When talking to others who have had surgery > I've been told it can take up to a year to feel normal again. ----------- It's been one year since my mastectomy and I don't feel normal at all. It's still very tight (chest and armpit). I have lost considerable range of motion despite exercising conscientiously. I am assured by my surgeon that this is quite typical. Eva >>I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on Oct 3rd and can relate to some of the >>sensation you're describing. I have not got back all my mobility and [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > motion despite exercising conscientiously. I am assured by my surgeon that > this is quite typical. I'm a little more than 5 years past my bilateral mastectomies - simple mastectomy on the right, modified radical on the left. (I also had radiation on the left, because I'd done a really, really good job of getting BC. <g>). No reconstruction. The right side seems perfectly normal to me now. IIRC that didn't take more than about a year, but I did do a lot of stretching & some strength training. The left side is still not 100% normal. The range of motion is very close to the same on both sides, but I find that exercise seems to affect the left side differently. From talking with the docs, I think this is more because of the tissue changes from the radiation than the surgery itself. I've worked really hard at breaking up the scar tissue and improving range of motion, including some things some doctors probably wouldn't endorse. Consistent & persistent stretching was crucial (I did yoga daily for a long time, which made a great contribution to recovering range of motion on the modified radical side). I've also had a massage therapist work on breaking up the scar tissue on that side, which is Not Fun while she's doing it, but has had a good overall effect. Obviously, I wish there were NO long-term effects of BC treatment, but mine are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things, and I'm very grateful to be alive. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email Dear All, I'm about 11 years post op from bilateral mastectomies: R MRM, L simple M. No reconstruction. I had rads in 2002 for recurrence and mets dx. My chest still feels tight, moreso on the R where I had lymph dissection. I have complete range of motion. Everyone develops scar tissue differently. You may ask your onc or if you're still seeing the surgeon about the sensations you're experiencing. LOL...just remember that your surgeon has probably never had surgery so what you're being told is second hand!! I'm thin and from what I understand, it's easier to recover if you're less bulky. Should say I used to be thin. With no estrogen for the last 11 years and negative estrogen since 2002, I'm packing on the pounds like a trooper! With care, ML in Tampa >>>I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on Oct 3rd and can relate to some of the >>>sensation you're describing. I have not got back all my mobility and [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > Ann T. > Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email |
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