hmmm, what's this?

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kimf
kimf Member Posts: 334
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I'm sure it isn't cancer, but not sure what kind of reaction it might be so thought I'd ask the experts....I woke up this morning to a bright pink recon breast. You can almost see a square outline over my breast of where it was radiated nearly 6 years ago, so I have a feeling its some sort of reaction to something or an infection, but not sure who to ask or to see about something like this....Don't feel like going 3 1/2 hrs to the Onc for it since I have no symptoms, no itching, no fever, no hardness, just redness. Its quite noticeable as it is super bright pinkso I don't want to ignore it either. I haven't changed detergents or soap or new bra or anything so ruled that stuff out. Any ideas????  Thanks.

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited May 2011

    I don't know but can't you take a picture and send it to your onc?

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited May 2011

    hmm. i think lago is right - take a picture and send it to the onc.

    let us know!

    j

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited May 2011

    You could be having cellulitus.  When in get it on my chest & back it didn't hurt, but this last time I got it in my arm and it hurt a lot.  I would definitely check it our with a doctor, with one that will listen and not brush it off.  NJ

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011

    Kim, you sure didn't need to wake up to this!Tongue out I agree with NJ -- sure could be cellulitis. And if it is, you need antibiotics pronto. An ER or critical care visit wouldn't be out of order at all -- better to be safe, as cellulitis can spread rapidly.

    It's helpful to use a permanent marker to draw a line around the affected area, so you can see if it is changing. This will also help a doctor to assess the situation. Watch for warmth to the touch, a spread of the redness, a rash, swelling, pain, or flu-like symptoms and get help quickly.

    Please keep us posted. Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2011

    Kim, I had cellulitis last year, and the red rash was exactly on the outline of where my breast used to be. I also had fever, flu like yuckiness, etc. If you can get to some sort of medical clinic today I would get it checked out.

    Cellulitis can get very bad, very quickly. My Dr drew a line around the red area, and told me to get to the ER if it got any bigger.

    Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited May 2011

    Wow, I never knew this could happen months or years after surgery!  Good to know. I hope that this is what it is for you!

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited May 2011

    Hmmm.  I think I'd opt to going to the ER too.  I'd hate to see you wait and then develop worse symptoms if it's cellulitis.  I'd take a pic, send it to your doc, and still go get it checked.  I hope it clears up for you quickly, Kim!

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited May 2011

    Hey! OMG, I just spent the day shopping with my college roomie acting like nothing was wrong, came back and got your posts, now I'm like freaking out thinking maybe I took this a bit too lightly. Ugh. I will mark off the spot and check it out tomorrow morning. After the kids get off to school, I'll go to the walk in center and have it checked or send the pic to the onc. I just think the pic won't transfer as well as seeing it in person. What the heck would have caused cellulitis at this point in time? I don't see a bug bite or anything like that. I don't have any symptoms right now, so that's good, right? Thank you all so much for your concern and the kick in the butt. I'm glad I posted as I was just going to write it off as some flukey thing and not do anything unless it got worse. I'll keep you posted!

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited May 2011

    Kim...let us know what the doctor says....but hoping you wake up in the morning and all is back to normal...Hugs, karen

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Karen, I did wake up this morning to much less redness and warmth so I think it must not be cellulitis. It wouldn't be getting better on it its own, right? It must have been something flukey yesterday and I worreied you all for no reason, sorry. Today it is pink but not bright and feels almost normal to the touch, so I think it is going to be fine. I'll keep an eye on it, but feel whatever was going on yesterday has passed....so weird tho, huh?

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited May 2011

    I'm glad it looks a little better today.  Keep us updated, we're here.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011

    Karen, I'm really glad it's improving, and I hope it's something strictly quirky and on the wane for good. But let me just pass along a suggestion that you get some help with this anyway. A couple of possibilities come to mind. First, that cellulitis sometimes "percolates" for a few days or weeks before sort of exploding on the scene.

    And second, that lymphedema is an inflammatory condition that way too often first appears (even years after treatment) as reddened inflammation of the breast. The way to assess that would be to check in with one of your doctors and get a referral to a well-trained lymphedema therapist. Breast lymphedema is treatable with a gentle massage technique called Manual Lymph Drainage that you can be taught to do yourself. Without treatment, though, it can lead to hardening of the tissue (fibrosis), skin changes, and an increased risk of serious systemic infection. Information about finding a qualified lymphedema therapist near you is here:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    Your call, of course.Wink But sometimes it just feels better to rule out the more troublesome possibilities so they don't become an issue down the road. Be well!
    Binney

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited May 2011

    Binney, thank you. I have had LE and it has been treated by a well trained lymphedema therapist. I wrapped for 3 months, then wore a sleeve and glove for another 3 and had manual lymph drainage done several times a week with success. Thankfully I had a complete recovery and have been fine for 4 years. I can't say this isn't a new lymphedema, although that was in my lower arm/hand and this is my breast, but I will certainly pay close attention as I know the only reason I successfully got rid of my last swelling was because I dx'd it right away. Never thought of LE, so again, thank you!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited May 2011

    Hi Kimmie,

     Just logging on to  read this. Its a " stumper" I agree totally that Cellulitis is nothing to play with, However it does not typically resolve in one day especially without treatment.

    Sounds good that it's better, but please keep a close eye on it.If it does not completely  resolve

    or rears its pinkness again, get it checked out at your local ER.

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited May 2011

    hi dear friends! It's Pinkness is even less today, on my breast, and today no warmth. However, I think I see redness on my chest and possibly above the clavicle and slightly onto my neck. Pete says he thinks I'm always red there, I think he's got some wishful thinking. But no warmth there, or not much. This is so freaky. I haven't been in the sun or anything so I know it isn't sun related (and not there anyway!) I'll keep watching like a hawk. Thx again!

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited May 2011

    Kim..what about calling and going into see your PCP...he/she might have some insights if you need to see someone else....HUgs, Karen

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited May 2011

    I would think if it was cellulitis you would know by now. I literally thought I was going to die, I felt so ill. So I am guessing it is just one of those freaky things. But as Karen says, if you are still unsure, a visit to your regular Dr wouldn't go astray.

    BTW, my radiated area is still a different colour than the rest of me.

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  • JacquelineG
    JacquelineG Member Posts: 282
    edited May 2011

    Hey Kim,

    I'm thinking it's probably nothing but since we worry about all of these little things, may give you peace of mind to check it out with the doctor!

    hope you're even better today!

    Jackie

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited May 2011

    Thanks again everyone! I think I'm good to go. Looks great today and I just know if it was something to worry about, it wouldn't be so much better so quickly. So thank you all so much!

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited May 2011

    That's what we like to hear, girlfriend!  Woo hoo!

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited May 2011

    Glad all seems to be okay...keep good news coming our way:)

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