Advice Urgently Needed

concernedhubbyalan
concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
edited April 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

My dw has stage IIIc triple negative bc. She was dxed in Dec 2014 and had a TRAM flap after a bilateral mastectomy.

The TRAM flap didn't take due to an infection and lymphadema. She had to be hospitalized after being home after the first surgery. Her reconstructed right breast was removed and had to have the incision on her abdomen opened to drain the infection and lymph fluid. A month of wound care followed.

She did one cycle of chemo and ended up in ICU when her surgical wounds were infected with cellulitis. During her latest hospital stay, nodules were found on her lungs on an MRI. When she was discharged, she had a PET scan. The scan was inconclusive of whether or not the nodules are malignant.

The medical oncologist wants this biopsied. Her surgeon is against it because he is concerned about infection.

What should we do?

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Comments

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited April 2015

    concernedhubbyalan, I am so terribly sorry to hear, all that you and your wife has been through. I am not able to offer any advice about what to do about the biopsy. It's always so difficult when there are conflicting opinions, from the medical team.

    Your story really hit home with me, because my Mother suffered dreadfully, from a horrendous infection after her Radical UMx and Axillary Clearance in the 90's and she also developed Lymphedema. I was terrified at the time. because we'd just lost my Dad a few months before. I can only imagine how this is impacting on you, as the carer and husband.

    I don't know if this is of any help to you, but lung nodules are really common things. I have one, which was found before all this happened to me and has been watched for a couple of years. There is a thread here on BCO, about lung nodules, where I am sure you'll get more helpful information, than I can give you.

    I wish you both all the best!

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  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited April 2015

    Thanks. Good to know about the nofules.

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  • flaviarose
    flaviarose Member Posts: 442
    edited April 2015

    If it was me, I'd want to wait at least a couple of weeks to see if my health/infection status would stabilize. I don't think a short wait would make too much difference in the long term, and in the short term an immediate biopsy seems a bit risky.

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited April 2015

    I'd wait and see too, but you may want to get a third opinion as well. Good luck to you both.

    Amy

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  • SA8PG
    SA8PG Member Posts: 371
    edited April 2015

    concerned husband,

    Praying for both of you. I'm so sorry she is going through all this. I don't know about the lung nodules just infections after my bmx.

    Is the infection responding to antibotics? Did they culture the infection?Has infectious disease been consulted?

    Love, prayers & hugs

    G


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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited April 2015

    Hi concerned hubby, I am so sorry that you and your dear wife have been through so much! But I would get another opinion, but it sounds like the infection should be taken care of. I like to resolve one thing before hopping the next bus.


    I too have lung nodules, they can't say what they are, they are too small to biopsy, and I am not going to borrow trouble. This battle can be so difficult, I hope you keep some time to hug and snuggle. I am sending you a huge bottomless basket of hugs, please share them with your dear wife as needed!! You are a true gem! Have a great weekend. Cheryl

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  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited April 2015

    We are taking this route. We agreed with the surgeon. If it is indeed malignant, they will be on her next PET scan and we will do the biopsy.

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  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited April 2015

    We decided to wait. See below .

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  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited April 2015

    Thanks, everyone. i appreciate the help!


    Alan

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