Recurrence after bilat mastectomy?

MinusTwo

3rdTime - I'm sorry I forgot - what is the surgery tomorrow?  I see the lumpectomy on 5/22/14, but I'm confused since I'm reading that you'd already had a double mastectomy on 8/8/12.  Is it node dissection this time?  Wishing you the best for the surgery.  Hugs & prayers.

3rdtimenow

Hi Minus 2, I did have one lump removed on 5-22-14 they removed one malignant tumor, my BS was just going to watch the 2nd lump, but since the first was malignant, he had to go after this one, because they look similar on MRI. This one is trickier, because it's under the implant, so I will go in early for a guide wire under MRI and then on to surgery, and hope for the best. Thank you for the good wishes.

  

barbe1958

3rd time, what a wonderful trip you took!!! I bow to you for having the energy at this time. Often the worry will sap us dry of the ability to do anything else. Good luck to you on this next step, sweetie.

3rdtimenow

Thank you Barbie,

3rdtimenow

No surgery today, I am rarely speechless, but I was today, I went for needle localization under MRI and low and behold the second spot that showed on the first MRI, just was not there, totally gone. Was it a fluke on the first MRI? Who knows, but I am extremely grateful. Next week I follow up with radiologist and oncologist to see what further treatment I will need, praying for just local radiation.

bc101

Wow, is that what's considered a false positive? If so, that's awesome!

Bren58

3rd, that is great news that there was nothing there!

3rdtimenow

Thanks ladies. BC101 I don't know the radiologist was so surprised, she brought in other doctors to look too, she said in all of her years she had never seen anything like what showed up in the first MrI and with my history they definitely had to follow up. They were all shocked it was gone.

Basia

Thats amazing that it just disappeared! I'm glad they are going to follow up on it though, better to be safe than sorry.  

3rdtimenow

Thanks you all, I will have another MRI in 3 or 4 months and yearly thereafter.

undercoverebel

Hi everyone,just wondering if implants have to be removed before rads,after or at all? I know rads destroy skin but I don't know what effect they have on the implants. If you had them removed/replaced did you end up being smaller because your skin wouldn't stretch to accommodate the size you had before? Or were implants no longer even an option? Shannon

Basia

Hi Shannon, my PS said my implants can stay in and there shouldn't be any problems with them for radiation.  But I am ok with swapping out for a smaller size if need be.

psalms91

Good  evening ladies, I have silicone implants. It has been a tear to the date that I had the implants exchange. What is the follow up care. I am now experiencing some pain on the dx. side. The area still looks good, no sign  of infection, just a discomfort here and there, is it possible to over work the arms and etc.. I am so scared at this point, unsure of what the sharp pains mean. I saw my surgeon she believes everything is fine. BTW my name is Psalms 91

Basia

Psalms 91, if you are worried, please do not hesitate, go talk to your PS, and if he/she doesn't think its anything but you believe it could be something, insist on an MRI.  Do not let it go. You know your body better than anyone else.  I have read this over and over again, and I experienced it myself, you just "know" when something isn't right and you need to speak up for yourself.

With that being said, a year into this process is still early on and your body is healing from all the trauma it has been thru.  

MinusTwo

Undercover - When I had the recurrent lump & ALND surgery the BS was able to get everything out w/o touching the implant.  Then I had radiation w/the implant in place.  The skin is tighter on that side & I may have to have the other side tightened up to match down the road.  My PS will not put a new implant in radiated skin since he says it's too fragile.  I was interested in going smaller down the road, but that may not be possible now - at least w/this doc. 

I would think it depends on where the recurrence is located so that the RO can direct the beam appropriately - but I understand implants are not routinely removed for rads.

undercoverebel

Thank you Basia and Minus Two. My other concern involves the nips. The growth is tiny and near my arm,not near the nip area. If I'm to understand you correctly the rads should be localized around just the growth? Therefore it shouldn't effect them? I'm due for nip recon soon but just not sure if rads will ruin the work. 

Bren58

Psalms91, Definitely get it checked out. But, like Basia said a year into the process your body is finally settling down from the surgery. The docs always say it take a full year to fully heal. Also if your implants are under the muscle, then yes it is possible to over work the muscle and cause some pain if you do something to strain the muscle. I have had implants for 14 years and still get occasional pains depending on what kind of activity I do. But they are usually short lived. Any pain that is constant or doesn't go away should be checked out.

psalms91

Thank you ladies for your quick response, I will have it further investigated.The implant is under the muscle. I have been doing a lot in the last 2 weeks... 

3rdtimenow

Hi Basia, can I ask if you have silicone or saline implants? I have saline and am so nervous about my appointment this afternoon,if I need full breast radiation, I'm concerned they might be damaged and I will have to go through more surgery. So off I go to find out how I will be spending my summer. Thanks, Ladies

3rdtimenow

More questions without answers. My radiologist and surgeon do not agree
on how to proceed. My RO is not convinced, that the last MRI shows
nothing of concern on the second spot. He also is not convinced surgeon
got enough of the first tumor, that was positive for malignancy. I am so
overwhelmed, I don't know where to begin. This has been going on for
over 6 weeks now and, as you all well know the waiting is the worst
part. I think I will seek an opinion from a second surgeon, on whether
or not to remove implant and take the entire capsule and as much tissues
as they can, to be sure nothing was left behind. I am having a pet scan
sometime this week, as well. I would appreciate your prayers and you
are all in mine. Stephanie

Bren58

3rdtime, I think you are wise to seek another opinion. Hopefully the PET scan will also help to give some clarity to the situation. Waiting is the one of the hardest parts. Keep us posted.

hrf

3rd time, yes, please do get another opinion. Let us know what happens.

3rdtimenow

Well I feel a little better tonight, I was able to see doc for 2nd opinion today. She is in absolute agreement with my own surgeon and feels that the doctor who did my 2nd MRI is top notch and she would agree with her findings, she said that more surgery is not only, not necessary but would muddy the waters for the follow up MRI. She does not believe anything will show up, but to have another MRI in six months, just because it's protocol. Had my PET today, MO tomorrow, I hope he will have the results and I will find out if I need chemo, hope not. I will definitely need 33 radiation treatments. Thanks, Ladies

Bren58

3rd, that is so awesome and I am so happy you do not need more surgery!!! Here's hoping for a clean PET!

3rdtimenow

Thanks Bren!

3rdtimenow

Thank you all for your support, great news today, PET scan negative, no chemo. I will start radiation in a couple of weeks, so relieved. Wish you all good news. Stephanie

hrf

3rdtime.....great news! So glad you can move forward now

3rdtimenow

Hi ladies, has anyone had radiation a second time on the same breast ? I am freaking out a little about the risks. My doctor said they are greater now with the implant, plus the fact that I already had radiation to the chest wall. Many gruesome things, the risk is small. Hoping I have already had my share of the being the one who is the exception. My best to all. Stephanie

Monis

3rdtimenow -

psalms91

This is Pslams, I wrote eArlier seeking advice.i have silicone implants they have been in one year to the date, however my dx side does not feel right.iIt feels like something is moving inside with occasional itching,,I have experienced some discomfort that is on and off.Went to the Er ,followed up with plastic who did a Manuel examination and  determined implants are soft and that there isn't any sign of infection,which was backed up through blood test.The blood test included a Bacteria Blood  draw.i am just concerned.Normal, settling,keep watching....anyone had anything similar?