Scars and Side Effects

My second blog was a testimony of my breast cancer journey. Depending on when you read it, you either got the shallow version or how the weight of that diagnosis really impacted my life. After I initially published "I Won", a friend offered me feedback. She noted that I just glossed over the experience without explaining how it made me feel or the impact it has had on my life. So I revised and republished.

Because things moved so quickly from diagnosis to treatment (thank God), I didn't fully educate myself on what life would be like after my treatment plan was completed. I naively thought that when I rang the bell, I would be done. But since July 2022, there's always been something there to remind me.

As much as I enjoy sharing my stories, I would be remised if I didn't also educate readers on the long term, physical and emotional, effects that it has on survivors. As I was scrolling on LinkedIn, I came across an article that provided information that would have helped me three years ago.

Below are the surprising side effects of breast surgery. This information was published by Susan G Komen.

• Numbness and lack of sensation.

• Limited range of motion and stiffness.

• Lymphedema.

• Emotional or self image changes.

In case you're wondering, I'm four for four!

A few weeks after completing radiation, I went to an appointment at a Wellness Center to have a test done to determine the amount of fluid I had in my body. As my mom and I were sitting in the waiting room, I Googled the name of the test. It was a test performed for patients with Lymphedema. My immediate, out loud, reaction to my mom was "I have Lymphedema?!?! Ain't nobody told me about this!" Yep, grammatically incorrect and publicly shocked! I think I may have even started to cry...knowing me, I cried.

And that's when my physical therapy journey began to regain the range of motion in my right arm. After more sessions than I count, I was able to fully raise my arm again.

The swelling and fluid (and pain) in my right breast continues to increase. Scar tissue is evident in my routine ultrasounds and after my most recent visit, the radiologist suggested surgery. At that point, I was so over all the poking and prodding that I was just ready to receive a procedure date.

But God!...

I met with my specialist, and she reviewed the images and decided that we would try a less invasive approach. So I am now having weekly treatments focused on reducing the swelling and fluid build up due to having Lymphedema. I'm basically getting medical massages every week that are covered by my insurance.

Won't He Do It!

I've paid almost $200 for these same massages at the spa just to get relief and now I have access to machines along with physical massages from medical professionals for less than what I spend on Dr. Pepper each month!

Even now, even still.. God has His hands on my healing.

It is my prayer that every survivor heals from these invisible side effects, and with each day, we become physically and mentally stronger.

https://www.komen.org/blog/know-more-four-breast-surgery-side-effects/

I appreciate the Susan G Komen Foundation for featuring my story and then allowing me to honor my mom on Mother's Day.

D.D.