swollen nodes

I was curious as to why only had lumpectomies if you had a 2cm tumor. Mine was 1.9 cm and I had a total mastectomy w/reconstruction. Sounds like this may be in your future sorry to say. Anyway try to have a decent weekend and best wishes for a clean slate when you see your Onc.Hugs.

I had infections after lumpectomy, while I was undergoing chemotherapy, but none later. First, I had an abscess that formed in the lumpectomy area. I was very sick with this. Oncologist put me on IV rocephin (about 10 days), and breast surgeon opened the incision area, then left it open "to heal from the inside out." Healing was a long process which involved irrigation & re-packing every day for about a month. After it healed, I had further surgery the correct the large "divot" left in my breast. 

I also formed an abscess where I had a lymphectomy (4/5 sentinel nodes were positive for cancer, ao had to have further lymphectomy). I was really sick with this one, too (fever, etc.) This area didn't stop filling with lymphatic fluid for many months after surgery, and I suspect the frequent drainage procedures I had to have introduced germs. Same procedures had to be followed as for the breast abscess. I also had surgical repair of this area at the same time as the breast area (plus removal of the port -- yay!)

Since the last one, I have had no recurrence of infection. It sounds like you have some bit of infection that has never been completely eradicated. Your oncologist SHOULD be taking care of you -- infection management is part of the entire cancer treatment! Perhaps you should see your BS as well as perhaps a new oncologist.

I had a lumpectomy, with a 2.7cm. mass. Both my BS and MO said lumpectomy or mastectomy would have the same outcome, as long as I had radiation with lumpectomy (which I did). I'm happier I chose lumpectomy because I had radiation -- having 5 positive lymph nodes, I feel that I have had more thorough treatment of the area than I would have had with mastectomy alone (plus chemo, of course). Nine years later, I am still NED.

While it's possible you might have a recurrence of cancer, IMO infection is more likely in your case -- when you have had several previous infections.

Yes, I had a tough go of it during active treatment, though much better than many I read about on the forum. Once I got over the infections, blood counts up & chemo effects were done, I was much, much better. I had no problems with Herceptin or Arimidex (still on that one).

And I'm still NED 9 years since diagnosis! That's the best thing.

Hopefully, this infection problem you are having will soon be a thing of the past, and you will be happy & healthy for many more years!