Is it back or what is it?

artsee

After looking over my shoulder every now and then since Jan.of 2008, for the " bullet " to maybe strike again, I actually have a reason to write in this thread.UGH! Since two days ago my 'lumpectified ' breast has started with an area of dark pink and has spread to almost the whole breast area. It's not a rash, not hot or itchy. It's red and purplish tiny veins and smooth skin like before.Definitely doesn't look like it's sister next door. It's freaking me out to say the least. Has anyone experienced this? I had some small blotches that appeared a year ago on both breasts but this is just in the bad one.

Of course it's the weekend and Monday seems a year away.

YramAL

artsee-the same thing happened to me this past summer. I had been helping move some stuff out of my mother-in-law's apartment and was lifting a trash bag into the dumpster when it came back and hit me in my bad, cancer-treated, radiated breast. The next day, my breast had blotches and little purple veins all over the underside. It didn't hurt at all. I was leaving for a trip the next day, so I didn't call my doctor, thinking I would call him if it wasn't better by the time I got back. It went away after about 10 days, but even now, if the underwire of my bra pokes me there, I get a small bruise. I think that radiation treatment has just made my breast much more sensitive.

Do you recall bumping your breast at all? Like I said, I didn't bump mine very hard at all, but it sure looked terrible, especially the tiny purple veins. 

Mary 

artsee

No, I didn't hit it with anything. It's just spreading more every day. I did go to a watercolor workshop for a week up north and lugged' a lot of suitcases for my self and big duffel bags full of my art supplies, back and forth to the Lodge and the art studio. Maybe it's not good to be lifting with that arm like I did before cancer. I don't know, but it's got me perplexed and worried.

YramAL

As I said, I would have called my doctor if it hadn't gotten better. I wasn't sure which doctor I would have called though. My radiation oncologist? My oncologist? My breast surgeon? 

But it did get better so I didn't have to make the choice. I am going to mention it to my oncologist when I see him in December. Then maybe he can tell me who to call if it happens again.

Mary 

Racy

If I was in your situation and worried over the weekend I would go to the ER. They can maybe allay your worry, call your specialist and/or prescribe tests.



I hope it's nothing serious.

theresa45

I know two women who have developed cellulitis years after having breast radiation. It is a skin infection that is treated with antibiotics.   It can spread quickly, so it's good to have it checked out promptly.

artsee

Just to let you know it was "Radiation recall". It has faded almost totally after a little more than a week. What scary and freaky thinks we can get from all those harsh drugs.

Racy

Thanks for sharing the good news artsee ;-) .