question for DCIS ladies with recurrence

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mom3band1g
mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

So I am really feeling like the queen of paranoia these days.  About once a week I do a self-exam before I go to sleep.  Last week I found a small lump.  It's in the lower inner part of my foob.  It's very small (like the head of a pin) and hard.  I had my dh feel it last night to see if I was crazy.  He felt it too.  What does a lump of fat feel like.  I'm trying to decide if it could be fat necrosis?  I don';t think it's a suture as it's not anywhere near where the sutures were.  My rad onc gave me a great 4% chance of recurrence so I know it's highly unlikely to be DCIS again.  I hate that every little thing sends me off.   The practical side of me says to leave it alone and if it's there in Jan (new insurance) I'll see my bs.  The paranoid side says run.  Our insurance sucks and we will be switching plans but it's not effectice until Jan 1.  We just finished paying off the hospital and rad onc from a year and a half ago!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited November 2011

    I was just in the docs' office this week discussing my fat grafting, and the docs mentioned that fat necrosis feels like a little hard lump...unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you can't tell the difference between that and a cancerous lump by palpation alone.  If it were me, I'd have it checked out to give myself peace of mind - I worry quite a bit about these kind of things...but bummer about the insurance/bills.  Hoping it is absolutely nothing of concern, especially since you had rads to zap the sh*t out of this thing after BMX.  You've done all the right stuff! 

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  • Tatina123
    Tatina123 Member Posts: 480
    edited November 2011

    Get it checked out as soon as you can. You don't want to wait.....



    Four months ago, I paid off my lumpectomies from 2008 and 2009. Now, I'm paying for a BMX and recon because of DCIS. Even with health insurance, I've paid enough out of pocket to take 6 European vacations!



    Keep us posted,

    C

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  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited November 2011

    Go to the doctor. Odds are definitely in your favor, but you don't want to be worrying about this for 2 months. I don't think you are the kind of person who can just put this out of your head. (We atr alike in that way!) D

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    ha DSJ, you do know me!  I actually put a call in to my bs today.  I'm waiting for a call back.  I have, oddly enough, been able to forget about it during the day.  That alone lets me think it's nothing.  I called just to ask what I should be looking for. 

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  • dsj
    dsj Member Posts: 277
    edited November 2011

    I'm glad you're talking to your BC. Positive thoughts that it's nothing, but do please keep us updated. D

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    well, I called yesterday and they haven't returned my call.  That's the downside to a large practice.  I love my bs but getting through the masses to her is hard!  Trying to let it go and put it out of my mind.

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    So, I'm not sure what to think at this point.  I have now called my bs office 4 times and they returned my call once and of course I missed the call.  The lump is still here.  I'm torn between going in and ignoring it.  I know my chance for recurrence is very low so it is most likely nothing.  But it bothers me that it's here now and wasn't 2 months ago.  The only lump I've ever had in my breast was cancer so I don't know what a benign lump feels like.  I feel like I can't trust myself/my body anymore.  How do you know when your mind is just playing tricks on you?

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  • rc778
    rc778 Member Posts: 56
    edited November 2011

    I would make an appt because even if she calls back, it still is better for her to see/feel the lump in person.  I have a very small lump that my BS told me to watch.  No changes as of yet, but I think I will make an appt within the next month just to be sure.  Best of luck.

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  • JAT
    JAT Member Posts: 81
    edited November 2011

    Do you have a plastic surgeon (not sure if you did recon)?  When I've noticed weird spots, I've also checked in with my PS who is great about distinguishing scar tissue (we get a lot of that) from other areas "of concern."   Or just call your GP or ob/gyn who can request an ultrasound for you of the area. I also have a dermotologist who examines the area when I get a mole check and would probably order me an ultrasound as well. I hate the thought of you getting the runaround from the BS's office while you are worrying.----JAT

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    thanks ladies.  I had thought about my ps but wasn't sure he could help.  I'll call his office today.  I know my GP wouldn't be able to help me.  She's great but this is not her area of expertise and I don't really have a gyn.  thanks again.

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    just wanted to update.  My ps office wouldn't see me so I called the bs (again) and just asked for an appt.  I cannot get in with my surgeon at all but they set me up with another dr in the same practice.  I go Nov 29th.  Somehow just  making the appt felt scary.  I know it's most likely nothing but it's unnerving.  thanks all.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited November 2011

    Making the appt makes is real, so no wonder it felt scary.  Since there is nothing you can do about it now, pat yourself on the back for being brave and setting up the appt, and then go out and enjoy yourself this weekend!  TGIF! 

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2011

    dancetrancer= thanks and I will!  It's pizza and a movie night here with the kiddos.

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited December 2011

    Just to upate.  I saw a radiologist last week and she wanted a mammo (on my implant....not fun) and ultrasound.  As I thought....nothing showed up.  She could feel the lump but we could not 'see' it.  This is exactly what happened the first time.  It really made me remember the first go round with all this.  I am now scheduled for an MRI Dec 13rh.  There was a mix-up with the scheduling but it's figured out now.  This week I have to have an orbital x-ray to make sure there is no metal in my eye!  Last summer I some how got a piece of metal in my eye (I don't know how) and now have to be sure it's gone before the mri.  Always something!  I was really hoping she could do an ultrasound and say it was scar tissue, or fat, etc.  Ugh.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for the update mom3!  Uggh on the mammo and US not giving an easy answer and even more uggh on the continued wait for more testing.  Why, oh why, does it seem there is never an easy answer?  So sorry for the stress this must be causing you - hang in there and please continue to keep us posted! 

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