Infamous lymph nodes and fat necrosis

alicki

just to say I have fibrocystic breasts and a very enlarged fatty lymph node (3.5 cm). After much hesitation, I decided to have it taken out. I have several of them and they appeared all of a sudden last year. This one is growing and its a mystery As I had a breast reduction last year and now have 4.5cm of fat necrosis, we tested that too. Great surgeon in the UK if anyone from the UK is interested.

If everything is B9, no more surgery until. December when we will correct and remove scarring and fat necrosis. 

So here I am in the waiting game again... 2 days this time. Fast cytology results. 

If anyone has questions about fat necrosis or would like to share their experience, I would love to here it.

Best

Alicki

MelissaDallas

You have benign breast conditions. You don't have cancer. You have anxiety.

alicki

I'm sorry but are you an MD? Have your examined me? Are you the surgeon who made the décision to do the procedures?

This board is supposed to be supportive not diagnostic.

Alicki

MelissaDallas

At what point do you accept that there is nothing seriously wrong. I am sorry you are so anxious, but you have been told by Many doctors that you do not have cancer. 

alicki

This is a supportive site, if you can't be supportive, then don't answer me, leave that to others who know what support means. If I wanted a psYchologist, I would ask for one. 

Alicki

MelissaDallas

You have admitted yourself recently that hanging out here is not good for your health anxiety.  The people who come here and are unaware of your background from reading your prior posts feed your anxiety when they respond to you because they do not understand the situation. I am trying as best I can to be kind to you by telling you the truth. You should not only be happy with responses that play into what you want to hear.

alicki

I didn't realize I had a personal biographer. Spread your good word to others and give me a break 

Alicki

Kicks

Real support comes in many forms!  There are so many times that real support comes as 'tough love'.

alicki

I don't call that 'love' at all. Please spread the good word to others and let me be

Alicki

sarahjane7374

Any pathology results on your nodes yet, Alicki?

alicki

Hello,

nope tomorrow or Wednesday morning. And waiting for the FNA to confirm fat necrosis. Doc wasn't worried. He also said he had a good look around in my axilla and said it looked ok. He took two out but thought it was one stuck to the other. Even if he tells me it's 'reactive hyperplasia', at least I know WHAT is making these things grow. Healing nicely.

THen if FNA confirms fat necrosis, we can wait until November to fix that and tattoo the nipples that got messed up due to post op problems. One day at a time.

It's nice to feel secure in a very good surgeon's hands

Best

Alicki

Lily55

ALICKI what do you need from us? Neither you nor your Doctor  seem anxious about your results.... As someone who went through the diagnosis mill two years ago with traumatic outcomes I dont understand what you need from those of us who are actually living your worst nightmares?  So what kind of support do you need from this forum? 

alicki

I have a b9 condition, I'm lucky, but I don't know what is causing it. I come on this forum to share. Perhaps others have had problems with fat necrosis, perhaps others have had funny lymph nodes, perhaps other have lost 20 kilos in just a few months, perhaps other feel uneasy and worried about their Fb breasts turning into something more sinister. It's not because you don't get cancer that you are not worried. There's a whole grey area between B9 and cancer- And sometimes, even if it's not cancer, we would like to KNOW what is going on with our breast, hence we share.

Thanks to Sarajane, who doesn't have cancer, and at least understands!

alicki

anxiety79

I can relate to the lymph node issue. I had one biopsied and it came back benign, thank God. However, I have more than one that is enlarged. Am I paranoid? Absolutely. While I am incredibly thankful that my results were benign, I would still love to know the cause. I hope your results come back clear! But I can absolutely relate to the anxiety that it causes. 

sarahjane7374

My BS mentioned to me that sometimes they can lipo out the fat necrosis, as a less invasive option.  I'm sure it depends on how much there is, but maybe something to keep in mind, if you decide to go forward with having it removed. 

alicki

jeanMarie: They biopsied the biggest and one attached_ results today or tomorrow. Not easy. There's no guarantee in life, we just face day by day and hope for the best. 

Sarajane: yes, lippo is good but you can't analyze what is taken out. I have such a wide area that I would prefer it to go other the microscope. If my Brit surgeon says it's ok to wait nov, I'll wait nov. Had enough of tests for now. The massive weight loss is still an issue and concern for me and so is the fatigue. But I have been really checked, there's no more checking we can do, for now!

A big thank you ladies for your support

Best

Alicki

Lily55

have you been tested and scanned for ovarian cancer Alicki? Significant weight loss is more often associated with stomach, colon or ovary problems more than BC

WolfsLady

I'm sorry you can't get clear answers.  There seems to be so much grey area in breast related growths.  Especially when you have multiple b9 conditions.   And if you have a doctor or doctor's giving you conflicting information it can make it even worse.  If you've been do a doctor or doctors who misdiagnosed you or a loved on in the past you realize that they aren't infallible.  You know something is wrong with you.  You know that your breasts are growing things and you have to wonder if the 2 aren't related.  I'm like you I would like definitive answers.  You are right to expect them.  And if the doctor thinks that there is a chance they could have missed something then you are right to be concerned 

However I would like to caution you not to get too focused on what is going on in your breasts and not get other things checked.  It can be easy to do that.  If you haven't already get checked for other female problems and digestive issues.  Like someone above said they are more likely to cause weight loss.  Also have your thyroid checked if you haven't already.  It took me 5 doctors and YEARS to get my thyroid problem dxed.  By the time they discovered it, it was really out of whack.  It was criminal that so many doctors dismissed my concerns and fading health without ever running such a simple test.  You might also research other health conditions that might cause b9 breast growths.  I don't know that there are any but if there are it might explain some of what you are going through.  

Let us know what your biopsy says when you get it.  

As for the women who are berating you for being here, I'm sorry.  I don't know how anyone is going to decide where to draw a line on this subject.  I believe a moderator weighed in in the past and stated that women with breast concerns were welcome on these "not dx'd but worried" boards.  I'm sure that there are more than a few women who were here getting b9 results, in the past who crossed over to the other side weeks, months or even years later.  B9 doesn't give you pass on this.  It simply says what we tested didn't show cancer.  To deny future risk is like taking cover under a tree when there is a storm warning.  Yes there's a good chance you won't get hit but there is no guarantee.  And we owe it to ourselves to feel confident that the doctors have given us the correct answer.  I would urge any woman (anxiety or not) to feel like her doctor isn't missing something or dismissing her without clear answers.  

Betty14

Hello alicki and welcome to BCO,

                                                                  when I read your post I had no idea of your condition so I did a bit of research and I'm posting this link so others like myself may better understand  what 'fat necrosis' is..

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/benign-breast-conditions/fat-necrosis

I came here to support you so I just want to say that I'm over the moon that your condition is not cancer. I'm also very happy for you because you seem very content with your BS and that is very important. Breast issues can very scary because of the waiting time with results etc. I wish you all the best with your health:):)

alicki

Dear ladies,

Thank you for the wonderful support i have received from you. I really appreciate your concern for my Trying to get the the bottom of this.

Ovary, stomach and colon and thyroid OK - scanned and checked.

Maybe just stress and anxiety over weird breasts?

The infamous node and confirmation of fat necrosis results are not in. Have just noticed that the fat necrosis side of breast has grown fuller by 2cm! Will ask surgeon when I get results. I have to travel to GB but have the best surgeon I have ever met! Its good to feel secure.

Thanks mods for creating this safe space for us b9 worried people to share, it is a wonderful idea

Back to sleep, (while waiting for results that should be in this afternoon).

alicki

Hello,

Update:

Fat replaced lymph node and still waiting for FNA results.

Best

Alicki

sarahjane7374

I've never heard of that but I take it that's a b9 result on the lymph node? 

1 down, 1 to go. 

Good luck

alicki

Hi, 

Yes- for some reason, my body has started to produce 'fat replaced lymph nodes'. I knew that from the ultrasound, but I didn't know if anything was lurking in the background. And an ultrasound isn't always reliable. Now I have histological proof. 

So maybe the weight loss is just me freaking out

I know the FNA is also B9 but I wanted to be sure that the surgeon got the Fat necrosis in right breast which is now growing bigger than left breast - will this ever end. I have asked him why and he will get back to me tomorrow.

For tonight, I'm happy about the results. He took out the biggest lymph node. Am feeling more secure. 

Will go to London in October for re-evaluation- 

Best for now,

Alicki

alicki

Hello Wolflady,

The Mods created this safe space for people like us (I hope that puts an end to the beating) to talk about OUR issues. It's fantastic, thanks Mods!

I am riddled with inflammation that isn't cancer but that does put me at risk. My breast surgeon who is also my new plastic surgeon now wants to wait at least three months before removing the fat necrosis, I would rather do it now, but he says it's good to let the body heal first before going back in. So I'm learning patience. Anyways, just had an MRI and ultrasound to confirm it was FN.

THanks for your support

Alicki

sarahjane7374

Great news, Alicki! 

Glad you were finally able to get some answers on your weird breast issues.  I know what that feels like, believe me

I agree that the addition of this space for b9 issues is a good thing.  There will always be those who think they know us better than we know ourselves, but so be it.

alicki

Thanks Sarajane, I am now waiting for the reports. I would like to know WHAT is B9 and if the FN showed up on the needle biopsy!

Best

Alicki

alicki

It looks like the fat necrosis will have to come out head of time. THe sample taken was bad and there are also inflammatory cells which the sample being bad, they can't distinguish or categorize, they think it's FN but not sure. Looks b9 enough but I have history of inflammation (NOT IBC cancer) so as usual, I want to get to the bottom of this.

Meeting with initial breast surgeon in Switzerland tomorrow and if she can agree with me, mini procedure to get this out in two weeks time. Heavens forbid. But sometimes, you really need it out to understand what it is!

cheers

Alicki

alicki

Sarajane:

who did you BMX, plastic surgeon or breast surgeon?

thx

Alicki

sarahjane7374

B9 means it's not cancer, but it doesn't mean it's not a problem.  I had lots of b9 problems.  Sorry you didn't get the clear cut answers you're looking for.  Hope it goes well tomorrow.  Good luck

sarahjane7374

My BS did the BMX, then the PS took over and did the reconstruction right after he was done. They worked together.

alicki

Hi,

My English surgeon is being asked to move forward the surgery. In that case, I'll wait for three months.

Three months is dooable.

Cheers

Alicki