Swelling on chest
Hi all
Had a bad week, this is one problem, I'll write about the other one in a min.
I've been having shoulder trouble for ages, on left side only. Previous to diagnosis I was having physio. Since the mastectomy was also on the left side, the problem has been worse. I used to go for back massage regularly and couldn't wait to have one after all the treatment, last radiation was end Dec. I got the go ahead from Breast Care recently to have shoulder massage with light pressure only.
So on Thursday I had a shoulder massage. It was mainly light pressure except for a few knots in my shoulder at the back. The problem now is I notice my front chest area, around where the radiation was done is after swelling up. It's not painful but slightly uncomfortable and feels squishy if I poke it.
Could this be lymphoedema? Related to the massage? Or something else?
Any suggestions like apply heat or cold or anything else?
Thanks
Jo
Comments
Hi josephine, I agree with Kathleen, you should get this checked out, the sooner the better. Can't be too careful. Hopefully it's nothing serious!!
X
Hi ladies
Thanks for the replies. I took your advice and phoned the weekend number. She was very nice but couldn't advise much other than go to doctor if it got worse and ring the team in the morning. I rang yesterday and spoke to the nurse. If I lived nearby she would have asked me to come in. She said I might need an xray???
Anyway in the end we decided I would observe the swelling for a few more days and I'm in Dublin next week for something else so if necessary I can have an xray then.
I'm afraid to think what the xray might be for cos it's def not for broken bones that you usually get an xray for!
The swelling does seem less now so I'm hoping it was somehow related to the massage moving fluid around. It's still puffy-looking compared to the other side but now I'm not sure if some of that has been there all along. I'm 9 months post op. I never noticed anything before but maybe it was there.
I will let you know what happens next.
Jo
Hi Jo,
Suggest you take some photos, maybe every day or few days so that you can show to your doc.
Alternatively if you can mark (with a pen or marker) the area that the swelling stops or starts, you will be able to tell if it is getting worse or better.
Hope it clears up soon.
Lindylu
Thanks LindyLu, that's a great idea!
Hi ladies
You might be wondering what happened next. Well the swelling didn't go away so I was seen by the oncologist this wk. I was sure he would say it was nothing at all but he didn't. He said I need a CT scan. So now I'm waiting for that and none the wiser.
I'm finding it hard not to worry.
Jo
Ah Josephine,
How long do you expect to be waiting on the scan?
Sending you hugs & positive thoughts,
Shirls
Hi Shirls
I don't know really but sometime before next appt in 3 weeks. I'd like to think that waiting 3 weeks means its not mega suspicious but it doesn't give me any comfort. It was this day last year I found the lump. I felt really weird today because it was exactly the same kind of sat morn at home with the kids. I was thinking of that film Groundhog Day where the same day starts over everyday and he keeps getting a chance to put things right. If only!
Anyway last year I had to wait until may for tests cos it was "nothing to worry about"! And see how that turned out.
Thanks for good wishes. I'll keep you posted.
Jo x
Jo, don't know where you are being treated but you could put a call into your BC nurse and see if she can move your scan up or put you on a waiting list for a cancellation if one came available.
L
Hi all
Sorry I disappeared for a while, just trying not to think about this. So scan is in the morning and back on wed for results. Fingers crossed!
Very best of luck. Fingers and toes crossed.
Hoping that all goes well for you Josephine. I'll be thinking of you.
Hugs
Kath
Hi ladies
Everything clear, thank God! I'm probably glowing in the dark after all the tests but all clear in the end. Seems I've been doing too much and have to be more careful about lifting even shopping bags and def no weight bearing upper body exercises, for some time. So let that be a lesson to all! It has been such a scary time and I'm exhausted from it all. But such a relief!
Jo 
O Josephine, I've been thinking about you so much this week and I am so pleased for you. Such wonderful, wonderful news
Take care
Kath
Fantastic news Josephine.delighted for you
Xx
I'm so glad for you Josephine; even though we get back into the swing of things and we look great, it never seems to stray too far from the back of our minds really does it. But it's great to be able to keep an eye out and stay ahead of the beast!
Continued good health x
It's always good to read a good news story. Delighted for you.
Josephine,
So great to hear your good news.
Wishing you only good things from now on,
Shirls
That's great Josephine. It's nice to hear good news on here.
Hi ladies
Thanks for all your good wishes. It's good to know you are all out there, that we all care about how each other is getting on. I'm so relieved, it's like I can breathe again.
Back soon x
Hi Josephine,
Poor, poor you!
Lymphodema can apparently occur anywhere the lymph system has been disturbed by surgery, injury or radiation. Lymphodema of the trunk and breast, as well as the arm is a risk for us all post breast cancer surgery.
I would suggest that you contact the hospital where you had the treatment (they might have given you a weekend contact phone number that you could try today). Definitely something to follow up very rapidly. If it's not Lymphodema you'll be happy to know that, and if it is then the earlier you get treated the better the outcome will be.
Keep us posted and good luck
Big (gentle) cyber hugs
Kath