Trying not to worry ...

JenniferK

Hi ... it's been a while since I last posted, but I've been popping in to try and keep up to date.  I was diagnosed Feb/09, started chemo in March, surgery in July followed by rads and continued Herceptin.  The numbness is slowly fading which prompted me to check into physio therapy to help with some chest pains.  She had me start massaging my chest and in doing so I found an area that I figured was a knot or maybe a build up of lymph fluid.  It's armpit level, but more toward the chest.

Anyway, had my GP check it out and he's sending me for an ultrasound - saying that it's too big to be a reoccurance this soon, he thinks it's scar tissue, but let's check it anyway.  So I call for the appointment and they say they can get me in in around 2 weeks.  Then she puts me on hold and the technician comes on and the next thing I know they have me booked for 4 days later.

So the ultrasound is tomorrow and I'm trying not to read into any of this, but I can't help but be concerned.  I've told my family I'm not worried and I'm trying not to show it because I know it won't help for us all to be freaked out, but it's tough. 

Member_of_the_Club

I find that doctors who are not cancer specialists tend to order more tests and react to these blips, whereas my oncologist or surgeon know more about cancer, enough to be able to say its nothing.  I think it sounds like it may be lymphedema.  Most doctors don't know a whole lot about lymphedema and i can see how one might react by ordering tests instead.  Have you spoken with your oncologist?

JenniferK

Hi Member_of_the_Club ... No, I haven't mentioned it to the oncologist yet.  My GP suggested advising my "team" but I just advised my surgeons office (he was the one who ordered the physio), not the Onc.  At this point I figured the ultrasound was already scheduled so I may as well have it done - it would be much faster to go ahead than to have to schedule an appointment to see the Onc to get his opinion (if that makes sense).

LRM216

Just read your post - I am triple neg, diagnosed just 2 days before you - Feb 23, 2009, so your fear hits real close to home.  I want to wish you all the very best of luck and to let you know, if prayers and good wishes really work - you certainly have mine.  I'm going with scar tissue too.  Please keep us posted, we are here for you.

Hugs,

Linda

2z54

Hi Jenn,

I had a bmx and immediate DIEP just about a year ago.  About 8 or so months later, after I was already back to work/life, I felt a small little lump in the area where the original cancer was, so of course, I called the onc.  She was out of town so her office had me call the hospital for an ultra sound.  Being a bc patient, they got me in right away (within a day or two).  They did the ultrasound and then followed it up immediately with a biopsy that proved to be fat necrosis (aka "scar tissue").  Of course I was way relieved!  And that's probably what yours will be too. 

What I learned from that experience is that (1) the medical community takes us bc survivors very seriously, and we get pushed to the head of the line.  And, (2) the 80/20 or 90/10 rule still applies even though we already have bc; those lumps and bumps are usually benign.

Just wanted to put your mind at ease a bit.  But, I'll be checking back to see how it goes.  Please keep us posted!

sue

chainsawz

I also found a lump which turned out to be a lipoma....which is a nice word for a fatty benign tumor.  I was panicked, but it was nothing and I am betting yours will be okay, too.  Please let us know how it goes!  

kim40

Hi Jennifer

I remember you from the March 2009 chemo group! 

Just here to offer you some support.  Let us know how it goes.

Kim

AmyIsStrong

Jennifer - I went to my bs for a 6 mo check up (9 mo post-lumpectomy). She did a VERY thorough breast exam - really poked around a lot and found a little bump deep under my arm. She asked how long it had been there - I was like "I would NEVER dig around there to that degree - I have no idea."  She had me whisked IMMEDIATELY into mammogram/ultrasound that moment. It was very scary to me. I am 5 mo post chemo and 3 mo post rads.  So I got through the mammogram and went to the u/s. The tech was VERY friendly, showed me a lot and explained everythign she was looking for and found. It was reassuring (somewhat) but still scary. She then left me there for about 10 min while she showed the results to the radiologist. It was A LONG TEN MINUTES. She came back all cheery - said it was nothing to worry about, called it 'normal radiologic changes to the breast' and said I could be on my way.  I have to say, just hearing that did NOT make everything all better. Even though it was good news, nothing to be concerned about, it still took me a few days to get past it.

So I am sorry you have to wait a few days just to get the test. But I really think it is going to show up as a normal thing. I thikn the surgery/chemo/rads do a number on our poor breast tissue and sometimes it gets a little weird in there.

Stay strong. The waiting (as we all know) is the hardest part. Please let us know when you get the good news that everything is A-ok in there.

Rooting for you - 

Amy

JenniferK

So my doctors office called and they said "it's fine".  No explanation, but I guess I should count myself lucky that they would give me that much over the phone.  Thanks for all of the well wishes everyone :-)

kim40

Great News Jennifer - Congratulations!!