Anyone with a hard breast after Lumpectomy
I had lumpectomy on July 28, 2010. It has been 10 days today, and my breast is as hard as an egg. It is very red and I can touch solid masses where the lump used to be. Are these solid masses gonna eventually go and the breast will become softer? I am alarmed at the way it looks. It is very scratchy, as if it is healing. I am wondering how will the tissues heal since the tissues in a breast are so dense. Some cancer and pre-cancer is still there and the doctor had suggested another lumpectomy, even when the breast is so sore and raw from the first surgery. Please anyone out there with a similar experience. When did yours heal after lumpectomy. What does it feel like today?
Comments
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I am almost three years out from my lumpectomy and sorry to say but my breast still doesn't feel right. The scar line is still a bit hard....it no longer itches but if I get hit in that breast it is still extremely painful! Until now I have had to wear those tank tops with the built in bra or sports bras because regular bras just don't fit any more. I am currently trying to find a way to get back into bras.....one breast is significantly larger that the other now. The breast that I had a lumpectomy on was already slightly smaller and now it is very much smaller. There has to be somewhere that I can buy say left side 38C and right side 38B, right?
I hope your breast begins feeling better soon. Please let me know if I can help further. My prayers are with us all. Namaste'.
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after one and half years of lumpectomy my operated left breast is still not normal.some times it is extremely painful.the under arm portion is senseless.it is smaller than right one in size.it become part of my life !!
some times i feel my right breast and nipple are paining as i think it is due to chemopause and hormonal im balance !!some times i feel very depressed why it had happen to us ??? then soon i realize that we are special people that's why god has chosen us !!!!
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I had that problem after my Mammotome biopsy and it ends up that I had a couple of really big hematomas in there. When I had my lumpectomy, my breast surgeon (who did not do the biopsy) looked at the situation and was thinking of removing them. But they were attached to a couple of major blood vessels and she decided it would be better to leave things alone. She told me that they would go away on their own, but it might take up to a year.
My lumpectomy area seems to be just fine and I've had no problems with it. And, looking for the bright side...my left side (the BC side) was always bigger than the right. So now the girls are about the same size and my bras fit better. I'm actually extremely pleased with the results of my lumpectomy (which was just about 4 weeks ago). My cancer was 1.7 cm but she removed more than 6 cm of tissue (necrosis and margins) and I was worried about how it would look. At this point, I don't even feel the need for any cosmetic 'fix'. But then, I'm 60 and married for 30 years - cosmetics are less important at this point in my life.
Michelle
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I have a different problem. The radiated breast has an area near the nipple that has less sensation and is a different texture. I went to my gyn. and he said it was nothing to worry about,he did a breast exam annd found nothing. Anyone else have this issue? Karen
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Hi- I had a lumpectomy just before you did on July 21 2010 and I am still healing too. Mine is on the right side. They took out 6 sentinal nodes and I had a really large sore lump under my arm right at the top of my breast . It is finally slowly going down. They told me this was normal. I am also experiencing electric shock like feelings in my breast. That is the nerves coming back on line. I have some areas of the breast that are still kind of numb but I know the feeling is supposed to return. So hang in there. Is your arm sore? Mine is finally and suddenly getting better but has been sore underneath between the elbow and shoulder as well as on top and reaching up high hurts in the arm pit area. I am taking naprosyn and it is helping.
Good Luck!
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Hi- I had a lumpectomy just before you did on July 21 2010 and I am still healing too. Mine is on the right side. They took out 6 sentinal nodes and I had a really large sore lump under my arm right at the top of my breast . It is finally slowly going down. They told me this was normal. I am also experiencing electric shock like feelings in my breast. That is the nerves coming back on line. I have some areas of the breast that are still kind of numb but I know the feeling is supposed to return. So hang in there. Is your arm sore? Mine is finally and suddenly getting better but has been sore underneath between the elbow and shoulder as well as on top and reaching up high hurts in the arm pit area. I am taking naprosyn and it is helping.
Good Luck!
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Thanks to everyone who have responded. Yes, we are very special that's why God chose us to go through this. Today, it is 13 day after surgery but some of the lumps and hardness is still there. However, just yesterday, I bled a whole lot from the surgery site. The nurse in another facility thought that maybe I had an infection, however, today the surgeon finally took a look at it and she thinks it is healing pretty well. Although I still don't have clear margins, meaning they have to go back and cut out some more, I would like to see the breast heal before they do another surgery. My God, this is all unbelievable. I never knew that other people where going through such serious stuff, and now I am one of them. One very good news for me today, though. My PetScan was normal, meaning, my cancer did not go anywhere else in my body. And also, I did not have any cancer in my lymph nodes yet. The one sentinal node they took out, did not have any cancer in it. My stage is II, invasive ductal carcinoma, tripple negative. The most scary part is that I have to do 4 months of chemo therapy which is making me really scared. If there is no cancer in my body and the breasts can be treated with lumpectomy and radiation, then why do I need chemo? But all literature and most doctors say chemo for tripple negative cancer. I feel like doing much more research before they give me that stuff. I am so scared, ladies, so very scared and freaked out. Good Luck, everyone.
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Hi there - I had lumpectomy on July 8th, and then went back in for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) on July 22, during which my surgery re-excised the lumpectomy site because it was not healing well. She re-stitched it in a different fashion, and here I am 18 days later and just had the last stitches out yesterday but had steri strips on the whole thing, and I STILL have a spot that leaks fluid. I can't say anything about hardness because, quite frankly, I haven't felt around enough to find out! Everything is just too sensitive.
However, I would be more concerned about the redness on the skin. Do the red areas feel warm to the touch? I had this pop up just yesterday, and am now on Keflex antibiotic. Cellulitis is a side effect of having lumpectomy and/or ALND but is very treatable with antibiotics. If you have this symptom too, please let your doctor know. Also, did you come home with a drain, and if so, is it still in? The drain was very irritating to me, so the little site where it was inserted is still very tender. I'm hoping the antibiotics and naprosyn take care of it, but when I'm really uncomfortable I still use my Percocet.
Hope this is helpful info. I know it is astounding that we are in this boat; I have more and more been turning to God for peace and it has helped.
Kathy
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Hello - this is my first time posting. I had a lumpectomy w/4 nodes removed in April. I was just to begin my last cycle of chemo when this past Tuesday I devloped chills and was running a high fever. Went to ER at the direction of my onc. White count was 2.5 x what it should have been. Was admitted. It was onlly the next day that my incision area was VERY tender and when looked at by the doc it was very red and HOT. Cultures came back positive for an infection in the staph family. They did an ultrasound which showed that the cavity left by the lumpectomy had filled with fluid. They drained it - 70 cc worth. Today have have noticed that the area is now hard feeling and must have filled back up. I have an appt to see my surgeon this week.....
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Hi bulldogmomma
I am so sorry to hear that you ended up in the hospital. Gosh, why are we all going through this? I hope your white blood count goes up very soon. Today, even though my lumpectomy area is hard, I noticed a tiny little dimple in the area of surgery. The wound seems to be drying, but even this morning, I leaked some blood. I seem to be having a period in my lumpectomy breast. The doctor told me to use a pad inside my bra, and sure enough, it feels like I am having a period. I think the cavity gets filled with blood and then it needs to get drained. I am so sorry you are going through this. Good Luck to all of us.
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Hi girls
My lumpectomy and axillary dissection were July 21st and I'm still beat as beat can be!!! I ran fevers for about 21/2 weeks after and had another one yesterday (all low grade). My Doctor has had to asspirate my breast 6 times now, each time pulling out tons of blood. I was numb at first, so the needles did not hurt at all. Not so numb any more, so Friday's asspirating hurt like the dickens. I have to go back tomorrow and I am dreading it.The breast is sooooooooooo tender to the touch and "oh my" if I accdently brush up against something. I can't imagine wearing a regular bra, so I bought a "sports type" one that gives just the right amount of support. It's very soft w/no cup definition. The "under arm" area still feels awful and I worry that'll never be like it was before; and yes, the breast feels hard as a rock in some spots.
I kept wondering when all of this would pass. Doctor said it was gonna take a good 6 to 8 weeks to get over the surgery. I was ready to slap him silly (LOL).
I love the thought that "we are special!" Thanks so much for that and blessings to you all!!! I wouldn't wish this horrid disease on my worse enemy.
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I am reading all of these posts hours after getting off the phone with a new friend who has had a lumpectomy and now is being treated for a large hematoma at her drain site that is positive for MRSA. Please make sure to have all fluids drained/aspirated cultured so your surgeon knows if you need to be treated. There is a special protocol after having MRSA with body srubs and nasal antibiotic ointment...also, I am worrying about chemo during such an infection.
Make sure to ask tons of questions!
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What is MRSA, please?
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Ladies, have any of you thought that maybe mastectomy should be considered. I am supposed to go for a second lumpectomy this Wednesday, only if the board doesn't decide that I should have a mastectomy instead. I am not looking forward to the second surgery. Of course, that means the drain and yes, the site where they insert the drain hurts like hell. You have to keep on cleaning the blood which collects. I did have the drain for the first surgery. In any case, the aim is to get clean margins in the area where the cancer was. But, I am not sure about my situation. My first surgery was on 7/28 and the second is due for 8/18, that is a total of 20 days in between. I have invasive cancer, so I keep on asking the doctors what if the microscopic cancer which is remaininng has invaded my breast. They are saying, it can't grow that quick. My experience was that at first when I had felt my lump, it was a very tiny lump, about 0.9 cm, at least that's what the ultrasound said. When they touched it by doing a biopsy, the lump started growing like crazy. Within 10 days, mind you, it grew and I couldn't believe it when I touched. I couldn't feel the end of the edges anymore, it had grown so big. Finally when they excised, it was 3.3 cm. So, I know personally, whether the doctors believe me or not, that biopsies are not good. Wish I had known the option of just going and getting the lump removed. But they have to do the biopsy. I saw on the ultrasound how they poked the needle into the black lump, once at one corner and the second time, from the other corner. And they grade your cancer on the size of the tumor.
Does any of you know how to balance your hormones with natural fruits and vegetables juice. I am not using progesterone cream after the diagnosis, as no one is sure what causes cancer. I had been using natural progesterone cream since 2004, and now I am not sure if that is what caused my cancer. Stopping it cold turkey has made me so very sick and fatigued. I feel like I have no more hormones to work with. How will I fight the chemo? There is no strength in me. Please tell me what fresh juices I can drink which will help me make some hormones in my body.
Thanks so much everyone and good luck. My prayers are with all of you! Hang in there, good days are still ahead. There is still that higher power which most of the world believes in, and he/she will not forget us as we are also his children. He will only give us the amount of suffering we can handle, not any less or any more. This is a lesson we have to go through in this lifetime.
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I have a lumpectomy on July 20,2010. when i went to the hospital for the radiation physical exam the doctor found out that my breast was really hot and swelling. She gave me an antibiotic (Keflex) and sent me to see my surgeon with she recommended me to continue with the medication. She also insert a needle and took some water from my breast. she told me I was retaining water. Today is my last day with the medication but I still swelling and red and every time I wear a bra its bather me so bad. I feel like needle sensation actually its feel like someone its cutting myself with a knife. I use cold and warm compress but seen like its not working. Driving its a night mare because of the seat bealt. I don't know what else i can use to aliviate this sensation. I have to go back to see my surgeon on wednesday may be she will have an answer for me. I never have to many appointment one after another. its driving me crazy
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I am sorry ~ MRSA is methicillin-resistant staph aureus which is a drug resistant form of the typical staph organism that is found on all of us. This organism used to only be found in hospitals and nursing homes but now has a community-based form.
This infection has spread like wildfire in our communities and I am feeling like those of you who have had problems with your post-operative wounds need to demand a wound culture. This is the only way your surgeon will know what he/she is treating.
This is very important.
Kathy
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Lovelyface; hope you are recovering from your second lumpectomy. Your posts remind me of my two lumpectomies- spaced 3 wks apart- that were done 7 yrs ago. Like you, the margins needed to be widened. I did not have your issues with bleeding, however. I am sure you will follow your doctor's regimen for icing the area. Ice keeps the blood vessels from widening and collecting blood. Make sure you are not taking vitamin E or fish oil as these supplements can inhibit platelet formation and cause bleeding. also do not take motrin/alleve pain relievers for same reason. tylenol is safe and you very well may need it with oxycodone (percocet) for the first few days. and do not let shower spray directly on your chest as this increases circulation and hence causes bleeding. BTW there was no further cancer found when they did the second excision on me. Better to have peace of mind. But I know you are going thru a difficult time in life and I am praying for you.
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Hi eileen155
Thanks so much for your comment. I had my second lumpectomy yesterday. I am still bandaged with a drain so I haven't seen the size of my breast yet. They also took out a non-cancerous nodule or something from the right side. Just a day before the surgery, the hardness was sort of eventually going away. I could tell that it was finally healing, although very slow. I was bleeding even till the last minute from the crack where she had cut me open, which was right around the nipple. It was as if the space they had created kept on filling up with blood and then it wanted to drain somewhere. They did not tell me to ice at all, the post operative instructions did not include any icing. I have just been taking vicodin for pain every 4 hours and it is working great so far, no pain. I am very happy to tell you that the surgeon called and told me that I have very clear margins now, so no more cancer, they took it all out. She said she took out almost 3 inches, which means, I probably hardly have any breast left there. I am hoping I won't have the same bleeding problem this time. They are supposed to take the drain out next Tuesday.
Did you have radiation afterwards? How about Chemo, did you do that? Do you feel that Chemo was good for you that it saved your life. Please do tell me about your experience with Chemo if you had that done.
Eileen155, I am very happy to hear from you seeing that you were diagnosed in 2003, so it has been 7 years which gives me so much hope. I see that you are also tripple negative like myself, however, I am Stage II and my tumor was much larger than yours, 3.3 cm. There was no nodes involvement.
What a horrible disease this is.
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Lovelyface; that is great news about your margins!! Like jumping up and down with good news! BUt I recall feeling too sore to be excited at the moment I was told.
I was more than a little shocked when I took the bandage off after the second lumpectomy. It may not be the same for you, but I would describe myself as having a partial mastectomy now rather than a lumpectomy. I had a lot of stressors in my life then so I put the "disfigurement" on the back burner. Just recently a ps told me that he could easily equalize my breasts with an implant on one and a lift on the other. So keep that in mind if you feel that you have lost too much breast tissue. I just use an insert in the bottom of my bra that "pushes up" my smaller breast to fill the cup. But it would not be difficult surgery if you decided to go the ps route.
Yes I had 8 rounds of CMF chemo and I would have it no other way. I sought out the most aggressive treatment of the time (2003) and that is pretty much the standard treatment today. TN responds favorably to chemo, so fight this disease with the best punch you have ! IMHO
You don't mention the grade of your cancer in your bio. Mine was grade 3 which is the most aggressive.
Take your vitmins, eat well and allow your body to heal this wound. drink lots of water too. You can use this time to decide your next step.
Just think, in seven yrs you will be offering help to other women going thru bc.
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I am in my second antibiotic, because my infections is not clear. They cant star radiation unless my infection clear. My daughter gave me a strong antibiotics. She said that is the one they use to treat MRSA even though I never suffer from. Today is my 3rd day with it. What else i can do so my swelling and my redness go down? i tried everything from hot and cold compresses you name it nothing seen to work. I have an appoitment for ctscan on Monday hopefully i will be fine
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Dear eileen1955 - I was thinking of doing the same thing you suggested, which is putting a kotex or something in my bra to push up the smaller breast and make them look equal. that is just fine with me until I can think of those types of things. Right now, it is how to save my life. My cancer grade is II. I have stopped taking all my vitamins, as my experience has scared me a lot. I was taking Glucosomine since June 19 for a knee pain when both my breasts became sore and my left eye started twitching. I did not connect these symptoms to this stuff, and continued to take them daily, two a day. I had taken approx. 45 tablets by the time I realized the pain in the breasts were too much and then there was a lump too. Even at the doc office I didn't connect my breast pain to this stuff Glucosomine. When I returned home and figured a few things out, then I realized it was the Glucosomone, as when i stopped, both symptoms went away. I called the company Schiffs (the brand), and they told me each tablet had 4 mg. of soy lecithin in it. This stuff was poisonous to my body. I wrote about it to the tumor board explaining what had happened to me, they said I should be thankful for this product as it brought up my lump. I feel this stuff caused my cancer, as before this, my mammo was normal in Jan. 2010. I have stopped taking every single vitamin and mineral out there, taking nothing. I am worried and scared, but am too freaked out in case there is soy products in them or something. Please ladies, be careful, even the supplements are polluted. how can we know what is pure and what is not, they are not FDA regulated. I haven't taken all the stuff that I used to take such as flex seed oil, Vitamin E and D. Haven't touched anything after cancer diagnosis.
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Hi read your post and you are right we are special people whom god has chosen this. I am 31 years old. Had my lumpectomy on 20th May I really feel like I have got a new life and want to enjoy it to the fullest. I wish you all the good luck and life full of happiness.
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Having the radiation treatment is something that I will not to have but my doctor told me I need it. I am in my 16 treatment out of 30 and because I have a big breast is been a nightmare I have a sun burn that is very painful and under my breast is really bad I am using the cream they gave me and some saline solution and now patches for under my breast but its seen that is not working I need something else when I ask they told me they dont have nothing else to give me. I need this pain and burning sensation to go away what else I can use suggestion are accepted
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Mamasangel2-
When you say they gave you patches to use under your breast for the burn, what were they? I ask because the same thing happened to me-the skin under my radiated breast totally degraded. It was raw and seeping fluid. The nurses-(angels) at my rads oncologist gave me these cooling gel pads called Carradress dressings. They are 4" by 4". I would put a couple under my breast over the raw spots and hold them in place with my bra. I even slept in my bra to keep the gel pads in place. It took about a week for the raw spots to get better, and I thought I might have to take a break in my radiation treatment, but I powered through it, and now, 6 months after I finished treatment, you can't even tell my skin was in such bad shape.
I did not have any luck with creams once my burns reached that stage. Ask your rads onc's nurses for the Carradress dressings. I found that the nurses were the ones who really knew their stuff about reactions and treatments-more than the doctor.
I wish you relief-
Mary
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my lumpectomy was back in May last year ,in Nov. I notice a bump on the nipple, the Dr. Say it was healing, well I still in healing with more bumps around the harden nipple and sencetive, at times , also a pulling like electricity not a comfortable feeling, having a biopsy tomorrow, I'm very worry, as it is not painfull but pinching is bad, and everything takes so long, I'm getting depress, will see
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