Lumpy breast

Hi I queried the lumpiness I felt 3 months after lumpectomy and my breast cancer nurse said it was quite normal - I was told to remember it is a serious operation and there’s many muscles and tendons that are affected. To put your mind at rest could you phone your BCN? Lxx

Thank you Monalisa1869 it’s reassuring to know that it is quite normal. I have an appointment with my oncologist and BCN in January so I will ask the question then. Xx

Hi, I had my lumpectomy in August and am 8 weeks post radiotherapy and I still feel quite lumpy, swollen and tender. I've been told not to worry and that it can take a lot of time for everything to heal. 

Hi

i had my lumpectomy (wle) with lymph nodes removed in March and my radiotherapy finished in May and I still have a hard and lumpy swollen breast.

when I asked my oncologist about it 2 weeks ago he said it is fine and takes a long time.  I also asked if I should be referred to a lymphodema therapist he said not yet and if needed we can discuss at my next check with him in 6 months time ( May 2022!).

I hate my breast now. It is sore and so much bigger than my other breast.  

good luck! Things will ease in time but if worried please check with you BCN or oncologist.

Thank you so much Irishirl16 that is so reassuring.

• Thank you BaileyLady I had the same procedure. Must admit I haven’t heard of lymphedema therapist. It’s a shame you gave to wait so long to be referred. 
  it’s reassuring to know the pain will ease in tune.

Hi Erika21, just to echo what others have said, early days in the healing process but good that you have a January appointment so that it can be checked and I’m sure you’ll be reassured that it’s normal at this stage. I believe that radiotherapy can change the breast tissue so it feels different to before. Usually it’s said that the treated breast may end up smaller than the other but, like BaileyLady, mine is bigger. When I had a follow up with the oncologist 10 weeks after rads, I pointed out that it was bigger, which seemed strange as it had been ‘scooped out’ (wle) and radiated. They felt it was also warmer so gave me a course of antibiotics in case of an infection. But they also referred me to the lympheodema service as this is a lesser known side effect of rads. The lympheodema nurse confirmed that I had this, and gave me a lot of very useful advice: more supportive bra (I was still in post op bras, soft but very little support); take up Nordic walking or aqua aerobics/ swimming. I got the bras fitted and started Nordic walking which I’m still doing 2 years later! At my next lympheodema appointment the nurse declared it a real success story and discharged me, but I can self refer if I need to. She had also shown me some simple lymphatic drainage exercises but I must admit I found them tricky. But she said the Nordic walking would be mainly responsible for the improvement as the arm actions of using the poles correctly is apparently perfect for getting lymph flowing. 
It’s early days for you Erika21 so obviously see how it all is when you see them in January, but BaileyLady I feel you should have had a lympheodema referral from your last appointment, not have to wait another 6 months. At least it would rule it out if it’s not that! And if it is, you could be guided to appropriate action - obviously it might not be the same as mine, I think I have a relatively mild case but it really was so helpful. 
Just to add, my breast pain went on for many weeks, particularly the nipple - it had been sore and super sensitive since the op and the rads nearly finished it off! But it did gradually resolve, just so much slower than I’d expected. 
Love and hugs, HFxx

Thank you for the advice HappyFeet1 xx