Strange "strands" from surgery

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robinlbe
robinlbe Member Posts: 585
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
Strange "strands" from surgery
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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited December 2009

    Hi ladies...I don't have my visit to my BS until Dec. 29th, so I thought I'd ask you all becuase you are such a source of great information and experiences....(unfortunately, right???)

    I had a surgical biopsy on 11/4/09 and a lumpectomy (half-breast-ectomy, basically removing the lower half of my breast) on 11/18/09.  It's all healed up nicely, with a few twinges of pain off and on, but I noticed these strange strands of *something* that extend from the lower edge of my breast all the way down to the lower edge of my rib cage.  I am a thin person with small breasts, so these are noticeable.  My husband and daughter easily see these.  They almost look like varicose veins, without the color.  There are three of them.

    The last surgery *did* go all the way to my chest wall, so I'm sure a lot of muscle was affected.

    Anyway, there's another "strand", too....a few weeks ago, I was having discomfort and while rubbing, I felt a POP....this is was in the center of my chest, close to my sternum.  Then one of these strands ended up appearing a few days later (again, no color), going about 6-7 inches long.

    When I raise my left arm (it was my left breast), these "strands" are very evident. 

    Maybe this is is normal...I don't know.  I've never even had surgery before (ever!), so I just don't know what to expect when it comes to this healing stuff....

    Anybody had this before? Typical, I'm guessing???  Is it muscle???  Thoughts??

    Thanks...blessings

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited December 2009

    robinlbe,

    Is this what it looks like?

    If so, then it's Mondor's Syndrome, which is fortunately is completely harmless.  It's not all that common, but it is something that can happen after breast surgery; it usually appears a few weels after surgery.  I had it. It was a really annoyance - I could feel the strands and they hurt if I stretched or raised my arm so it really limited my movement.  Eventually it does go away on it's own, but it can take time.  I think mine when away after about 6 weeks.

    http://www.nuveencosmeticsurgery.com/mondors-syndrome

    http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1087099-overview

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited December 2009

    I am so sorry you are dealing with this on top of all the other stuff that comes with BC.

    You might do a search on here for cording.  If that is what it is, massage and time can help.  I've seen several threads about this subject.

    Best wishes.

    pam 

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited December 2009

    Beesie....This surely looks like what I have going on, and the desciption sounds like it too.  I know it's nothing, but it "figures"...seems everything else for me has been this way.  sigh.

    Pam, I will check the forum for "cording"  - I had checked some, but guess I hadn't gone back far enough. 

     Thanks to both of you for taking time to reply...blessings :)

    Robin

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