NEW primary in 'good' breast 2 months after chemo?

Ashlyn

NEW primary in 'good' breast 2 months after chemo?

Ashlyn

I am trying not to worry about this and fear the worst... Before I explain what is currently happening here's the back story: 

Was diagnosed Jan 3 this year at 28 years of age with IDC, stage 2b, grade 3, 8/8 ER/PR+ Had a MX with immediate recon on left side and axilla dissection (only 1 node + and was .4mm) Had breast reduction on right side to 'match' left recon. Started IVF to harvest eggs (where potentially estrogen could have spiked temporarily and was put on Letrozole to counter afterwards for 10 days) Started AC/T chemo every 2 weeks April 3 and last treatment was July 10. Had a bone scan BEFORE surgery that was clean, abdominal ultra sound that was all good, had an MRI 3 weeks before surgery that didnt show anything suspicious in my 'good' right breast.

So everything should be OK right now (???) and I am starting 28 rounds of rads next week... but then about 4 days ago I noticed my right boob was sore on the underside of it (near the T section scars from my reduction). And that's when I found a lump there. It feels deep and can feel it more when I am laying down then when sitting up. The skin is red and swollen and it hurts. I have an ultra sound scheduled September 14 and saw my radiation oncologist (pre-rads planning 3 days ago) who inspected it and said it is extremely unlikely that it is cancer because I just finished chemo. She put me on anti-biotics cause she thinks it might be an infection of some kind. But she said the ultra sound would determine more if the drugs dont help it. I expressed concern that it might be IBC because of the redness and inflammation but she said that is just so unlikely and shook her head. She confirmed that there is a definite lump there though. It is about 2cm wide.

My fear and worry is that it is a new breast cancer on my good side. Is it possible it could have started growing after my surgery and survived through chemo and is now showing itself? My last tumour grew in under 6 to 9months. Has anyone else had something like this happen before? Is it possible? I know my RO doesnt think so but she did say it is possible of course but was rare.

I think what is making my fears worse too is that I have had some dull chest pains lately and I am more sore and achy now then when I was doing chemo. I thought being almost 2 months since my last treatment that I'd be feeling better by now and not as achy. It hurts to get out of bed, kneeling in the garden, stretching, bending, getting up after sitting, it all hurts so much! So I guess I am fearing that somehow I have developed cancer elsewhere in my body.... My knees ache like crazy, my hips hurt, joints... Im only 28 and feel like Im pushing 90. I told my MO this last time I saw her and she was surprised but not worried. The next time I see her is Sept 21.

So now I wait to see if these anti-biotics kick in (so far no improvement with the redness/inflammation and its been 3 days and the lump is still very much there) ... I guess I have to wait until my ultra sound on Sept 14. 

Would appreciate hearing opinions/experiences from anyone else who has had something similar. Thanks so much in advance.  

kathleen1966

I hope you get some help soon! I can see why you are worried.  I hope you get this resolved soon and that it is nothing!!! You have had enough!!!

Two months out of chemo is really not enough time to feel better.  I am two years out and I still ache.  I am not 28 though (46) so I know that I likely ache more as I am older. But I was premenopausal when I started treatment and the being thrown into menopause was very difficult.  It really does take time to get back to feeling normal. Especially if you are on Tamoxifen. I have heard this can cause a lot of horrible symptoms. 

I am soo sorry you are having this worry.  I hope you can get in earlier if the antibiotics don't bring relief.  I would hate to see you wait and worry until September 14th. 

I hope someone chimes in with the exact experience to take some of your worry away soon. 

Hortense

I do hope the lump will turn out to be something simple. You have every right to be nervous. However, you said you have been gardening. Have you considered that the aches might be Lyme? I came down with it the second week of chemo and couldn't have been more surprised. I've had Lyme Disease twice before over the years and never saw a rash nor a tick bite, and I didn't this time either, but the doctor knew right away what I had. A blood test confirmed it and Doxicycline got rid of it - and all the aches.

cookiegal

I had a reduction on both with lumpectomy.

Could it be fibrosis related to the reduction, or even an undissolved stitch.

Listen, anything is possible, but a second tumor so soon after chemo would be unusual.

Since you are on the young side, and young women tend to have lumps, it could just be a b-9 lump too.

I totally get why you are scared, this SUCKS!

Karen3

Sorry to chip in with a cautionary tale but it needs to be said. I had a painful area and a 'ridge' which did not show up on ultrasound or mammogram. They would have sent me away had I not had BC previously. If it's a palpable lump / area, it should be biopsied regardless of whether it is visible on screening or not. Mine turned out to be 4cm grade 3 DCIS. I was so relieved I did not need chemo again (it was less than two years since I finished chemo for a tumour in my other breast). I had both breasts removed in December 2012 and I am doing just fine. Keep an eye on things and go back and ask for a biopsy if this does not resolve. Also, my BS said that 'pain' is a good sign as BC is not painful. That is wrong as BC can be painful and in both cases I detected the tumours because of pain. You know your own body. Wishing you all the very best - the chances are that this is B9 BUT there is an outside chance it might not be too. Keep vigilent.

Rose_d

Ashley,

I just wanted to let you know that I too am still feeling very achy almost 8 weeks after chemo.  I finished July 23rd and feel 90 years old (I'm 40).  I will say that my hips have gotten better in the last week or so, so that gives me hope.  Mostly now the pain is in my feet especially when I get out of bed in the morning.  I've just started walking again (had my TE exchange 3 weeks ago) and I think it's helping a lot.

I, by the way, feel exactly the same way about thinking the worst about every ache.  I am supposed to start my 28 rads on Monday and started this week with stomach pains that are really making me crazy.  I went for an ultrasound today to see if it's maybe my gallbladder (strong family history) but of course my mind is going to very dark places (liver).

 It looks like we have nearly the same diagnosis as well - I was diagnosed on 1/5, 1.7cm, 1 node (2.5mm), ER/PR+, HER-.  I'm relieved to see you too are having rads, I have been struggling with varying opinions about whether it's necessary and some scary sounding side effects.  It's almost harder when the answer on treatment isn't clear!

 Wishing you the best on the lump.

Rose

clariceak

I can understand why you are worried about the lump in your breast.  It's always good to get checked out.  I would like to say the despite being 2 months out of from chemo, it is normal to be achy and have painful joints.  The Tamoxifen will cause those symptoms. 

Anti-hormonal drugs are notorious for making you feel like you aged almost overnight.  I wouldn't worry too much about your joints and hips, unless it progressively worsens in one spot.  Is it worse right before the weather changes?

Nanka

Hi...did anything come out of this? I am also so paranoid about a cancer on my good side. Ugh!