Please help, need information

dragonflymary

I had a BMX Aug. 27 2010 with tissue expanders, then exchange on Dec. 15.  I'm now 6 months out from the first surgery.  2 days ago I found a hard, pea-sized lump about an inch above my left implant (on the chest wall).  My cancer was stage 0 and the left breast was the "good" side!!  Does anyone have experience with a recurrence this soon after MX?  Wouldn't it be more likely on the "cancer" side?  I made an appt. with BS for next Tuesday.  The thing is, I feel almost certain this is going to be positive.  It's just too close to the description of a malignancy.  My tumor was high grade, but the BMX was supposed to give me a 1-2% chance of recurrence.  Can this happen so soon?  This will be difficult because I've just learned to like my reconstruction.  Do they have to remove the implants?  If this is positive I'm going to fight it--I'm just too young not to (I'm a young 65).

chicago-37

DrDragonFlyMary,

  I just went through something a little different.  I felt a lump, not a small hard bump, that was odd feeling.  My Onco, her fellow, and a nurse who is a BC survivor all thought it was nothing and luckily after an ultrasound and MRI it appears to be nothing.  I also had IDC which could be more aggressive than DCIS.  I will pray that you are feeling scar tissue, fat necrosis or a cyst.  Have it checked out and let us know how you are doing.

dragonflymary

Thanks for your info!!  I'm hoping it's something like that.  If they do the MRI I'll feel better, just to know they're sure.  Since my tumor was not invasive I just assumed there would be no recurrence.  That was why I had the BMX--so I wouldn't have to worry!

dragonflymary

Update--saw BS today and she ordered MRI.  She offered me the option of ultrasound and just "watching" it and seeing if it increases in size.  I'm tired of watching lumps--been doing that for years.  Will have the MRI unless insurance won't approve it.  She didn't think it was something to worry about so I'm not going to stress.