Question about bras/clothing after surgery and radiation

Both of my breasts are still hurting. The left one just feels sore and achy, which,--maybe because I can see that would be logical, I'm dealing fine with. Mind, I had a fair volume of tissue removed from both breasts, however it was the right one that had the tumor removed and sentinel node biopsies.

That right breast is still very red (I see my surgeon and oncologist tomorrow, so I'll discuss this with them then), I have the bruises still, again, which I expect and have been watching. It's a little unsettling to see your nipple change texture and colour though.

To me, it looks redder than I recall (subjectively, like the redness is covering a greater surface area than I recall from just a few days ago). Feels warm to my touch, but I'm not running a temp. I was given permission to increase to oxyIR for four days, starting yesterday, but that's it.

I alternate between wearing my bra and not, I'm still also taking 3 grams of Tylenol every day, but the pain in that breast and arm pit are still above a moderate level.

Since "they" feel I "should" be over this by now and that I "shouldn't" be experience pain anywhere near this level, I'm feeling frustrated. My questions are about wearing bras, about what type of material for clothing since it's sensitive to touch and sensitive to pressure.

And tomorrow, with the radiation plan being implemented, it's been explained I may feel sore from that, similar to a sunburn. So with all this, does anyone have any suggestions on possible clothing and bra options to at least not tweak the pain up?

Thanks for any help.



M.

I saw the surgeon today, and he removed the last few steri strips (the incision is seamless). He said what I am "perceiving" as red is dark bruising, especially by comparison (the left breast is minimally bruised, but it was the right one that had most of the work done).

I still have the zip one I woke up in as well, with the gauze pads, etc...if it weren't for the Velcro catching on everything, it wouldn't bother me quite as much.

He told me today that we'll be making appointments with a radiology oncologist and medical oncologist. He said everything looks fine, in his opinion, it's more "my impression" of seeing maroon coloured bruising.

I flipped the anxiety switch when I phoned him Friday night, freaking out (because I've had cellulitis before, and let's face it, this is a big deal). My temp hasn't gotten above 99.7, he said the density feels better, less swollen.

I have my consult with the rad-onco on Jan 9. Then I guess it's onto hormones after that.

I do not like wearing a bra, but right now, they hurt so much, I feel like the compression takes some of the pain away. But the flip side is I find it irritating to the flesh. I was hoping there was a happy medium. If I don't wear a bra I tend to walk around the house grasping at my breasts (I wasn't aware I was doing that, btw)....Shucks, who knows how long or where I've done that & not realized!



M.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2013.

I had surgery in December 2013.

Within the past 10 days I have met, for the first time, with both of my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist.

My path tissues were sent out yesterday for OncoTypeDX to determine if I need chemo.

Pending that result, my radiation therapy will start in roughly 3 or so weeks from now.

My concern was having radiation to my breast, and the that after the 2nd to 3rd week, the breast tissue can present with symptoms similar to sunburn and tenderness. That's why I was curious about clothing and bras when the breast areas are going to be traumatized, again.




M.