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StephN · 05-04-2010, 11:31 AM

Dear Karen -

Glad you had a good report.

Finally got back to this thread. Most of us have had these post op aches and pains, as our bodies readjust after surgery. Nerves are knitting where they can and these areas can be real sensitive.

I had inner quadrant lump. and right axilla dissection. From the time my drain was removed from the axilla, I was doing some massage on my scarring areas with vitamin E oil. That seemed to help in easing the tightness.

I also had radiation and there are ongoing changes in the tissues from that as well. To this day, I have twinges in the surgical area from time to time (after almost 10 years), but not outright pain. I found that the area between my breast and collarbone (radiated area) has hardened over the years and I still massage that after every shower if I have a minute.

As for what you can wear for some light support, try those tank tops with a sort of "half bra" for your breasts that have some loose elastic to keep the weight of your breasts from pulling down. I am not as big as you, but I found that wearing a special "sleep bra" during times of discomfort was also helpful. Look on line for that.

I have steered clear of underwire bras for years even prior to my BC. Hope something here helps.

05-04-2010, 11:31 AM	#20
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Breast pain and strange lumps? Dear Karen - Glad you had a good report. Finally got back to this thread. Most of us have had these post op aches and pains, as our bodies readjust after surgery. Nerves are knitting where they can and these areas can be real sensitive. I had inner quadrant lump. and right axilla dissection. From the time my drain was removed from the axilla, I was doing some massage on my scarring areas with vitamin E oil. That seemed to help in easing the tightness. I also had radiation and there are ongoing changes in the tissues from that as well. To this day, I have twinges in the surgical area from time to time (after almost 10 years), but not outright pain. I found that the area between my breast and collarbone (radiated area) has hardened over the years and I still massage that after every shower if I have a minute. As for what you can wear for some light support, try those tank tops with a sort of "half bra" for your breasts that have some loose elastic to keep the weight of your breasts from pulling down. I am not as big as you, but I found that wearing a special "sleep bra" during times of discomfort was also helpful. Look on line for that. I have steered clear of underwire bras for years even prior to my BC. Hope something here helps. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.