Lumpectomy Surgery complications

Alcbenefits1

I had a lumpectomy on 7//9 on left breast. They removed one lymph node. Sentinel Node Biopsy. Final diagnosis is:

Rare Microscopic foci of DCIS - high grade, One microscopic focus raises the question of Microinvasion, Anatomic location: Upper out quandrant, Archictectural pattern: focus to small to characterize, Necrosis: to small to characterize. Tumor Size: Less than 0.1 cm, Status of Microcalcifications: Present. Estrogen Receptor Assay: Positive (3+, 100%), Progresterone Receptor Assay: Positive (3+, 100%)

DCIS score = 11, Invasive Local Event 4%, Quantitative Single Gene Report ER Score = 7.8, PR Score = 7.8

I elected for no radiation or chemo.

My recovery has been awful. I had swelling in my breast from day one. I went to PT thinking it would help. I went back to the surgeon one month with enlarged breast and he did not see any fluid to drain so said I needed a better bra. I got a compression bra and then two days later I was admitted to the hospital on Sep 24 with a beet red left breast, swollen and inflammation and extreme pain. I was hospitalized for one week on IV antibiotic and on Sept 29 my surgery did not see any improvement so decided to go in and see if there was an absess or infection not showing up on the ultisound. She found nothing in surgery, took cultures and sent to Mayo which have produced no growth. it is going on 3 weeks and I have been taking 300mg X4 a day of Clindamycin HCL. The pain has subsided but the swelling and inflammation has not changed. The nipple in inverted and the lower half of the breast just hangs and is discolored.

I am going to UNC Chapel Hill Cancer Hospital on Wednesday for a second opinion. Do you have any help for me? I am so discouraged and do not know what to do to resolve this. Please help me.

Annie

april485

Wow Annie, you sure have been through a lot. I have never read anything about something like this before so I am of no help but wanted to send you a hug and hope that they get to the bottom of this and why you are having the swelling and redness and nipple inversion. Did they check for MRSA? IBC? I hope someone else comes along soon who may have had some experience with this issue.

Not sure what they have and have not checked for but would mention these two things to the doctors if they haven't done the tests for these things. (((Annie))) Keep us posted!

Moderators

Oh Annie, we are so sorry to hear what you are going through, but we want to welcome you to our community here at Breastcancer.org. We really hope that the doctors can resolve the terrible issues you are experiencing.

Good luck for your appointment on Wednesday we will be thinking of you, and please keep us posted.

Warm wishes

the Moderators