Swollen

Racy has given you some very good advice. I'd like to add that you particularly need to watch for fever, redness, pain and intensified swelling. YOU know your body better than anyone and if something feels off, you need to insist that your doctor take a closer look. A simple blood test will indicate whether your white count is up and whether an infection may be involved.

My rads were finished mid Aug. 2011 and I've had nothing but problems with my breast since that time. I tried to bring the redness and swelling issue to the attention of my RAD Oncologist and he showed very little interest. "You have edema", he said. That was it. "What do I do if it doesn't get better?". He said contact your PCP.  When things didn't improve and seemed to worsen, I brought it to the attention of my primary care provider (mid November). He ordered a referral for lymphedema. While waiting for the process I developed Cellulitis.  Nov. 27 I was admitted through ER for an infection of my breast and chest wall and hospitalized for 3 1/2 days and that has been followed by 2 weeks of antibiotic infusion. I just finished my last antibiotics last night. I still have significant pain in my breast and it hurts if touched or bumped...and so the journey goes.

Listen to your feelings. You have to be your own best advocate and fight for care you deserve. You'll be better off even if it turns out to be nothing or not so much. I wish I had been stronger. I will be in the future. They have created a crazy woman here.

I pray that you experience no more than swelling and that the rest of your journey is uneventful.

Hugs