Recurrent BC 1.5 months after mastectomy possible

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otessa63
otessa63 Member Posts: 2
edited July 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Long story short, I was diagnosed with multifocal IDC in November 2015 and had a right, skin-sparing mastectomy on December 22nd. I've recovered well, but my right collarbone had been bothering me. Yesterday I found a small, pea-shaped lump well above my scar in the soft tissue going towards my armpit. My surgeon wants to see me for an ultrasound Thursday. No messing around. Should I seriously be worried this soon after mastectomy? I had mammograms, ultrasounds, an MRI and a PET scan. If anything else was there, wouldn't the PET scan have seen it??? I don't know whether freak out or get over myself for "noticing every little thing."

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2016

    otessa, sorry you are going through this. You do not need to get over yourself as this is now normal for all of us. We notice much more and it is scary. Do something nice for yourself while you wait on Thursday. There is nothing there until told otherwise! I am sure others will be along on these amazing forums to show you support and try and quiet your fears.

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  • Nibaum
    Nibaum Member Posts: 23
    edited February 2016

    Hi Otessa,

    I had a nipple sparing mastectomy with tissue expanders on the same date as you and last Thursday I noticed a white pea size bump above my incision line, underneath the mammary crease.  It may have been there for a while but I didn't notice because I was careful to not touch that area for about 5 weeks after surgery  But it was close to where my tumor was found so I was freaking out.

     I emailed my plastic surgeon a description and a picture of the bump.  He emailed me back right away and told me it is a long acting dissolvable suture that he sees in almost all of his patients.  He said that it will dissolve with time.  That makes much more sense to me than a recurrence.  So I am hoping that that it will be the same for you.   I think you should be all right, but please let us know what your ultrasound shows.  Its better to be err on the side of caution with BC.  Just in case, I will show my little bump to my oncologist when I see him this week. 

    Take care!





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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited February 2016

    From this point on, it's always worth checking.

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  • SoCalGrl
    SoCalGrl Member Posts: 105
    edited February 2016

    I agree, worth checking from this point on. To calm your fears though, a couple of months after my mastectomy I felt a hard lump (smaller than a pea) near my incision and was promptly given an ultrasound. It was found to be nothing bad, most likely a suture that hadn't dissolved yet. I hope yours is that uneventful too.

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited April 2016

    Hi

    I'm back. Every time I think I'm good it hits me again.

    Crap!!!!!!

    Age 40.

    2009 -Stage 1 0.8 cm estrogen + Progesterone + her 2 -

    Lumpectomy and Rads/ Tamoxifen then Arimadex

    4 years later and 1 negative stereotactic biopsies.

    2014

    It came back in my scar line. 1.0 cm no nodes estrogen + progesterone - slightly her 2 + - nodes . So off with the breast and chemo and Aromasin . One month after chemo it's back.

    2015

    This time in my skin locally So option more Rads in the same area. No reconstruction possible.

    2016

    March elavated Tumor markers so PET SCAN.

    Just received the results it's in my lymph node in the axilla region.

    I am still to young for this .

    There was a less than 4% it would come back .

    Very sad . Sorry. I need some encouragement. What's worng with me. Lol.

    Now I need to have the lymph node removed pet scan showed no other area whoopie. Hopefully a word auto correct seems confused.

    Any suggestions for surgeons. Places to go people to meet. I've been to Boston ,Sloan and locally her in NJ.

    Would like to see Texas hmmmmm. Anderson.

    Help me please cracking up. I feel like my options for survival are zero no matter if I started with a tiny bump or a blazing whopper of a lump.

    I found it all from a fall on a space heater. Regret is setting in.

    Sucks as we know.

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  • Maw-maw
    Maw-maw Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2016

    Funthing42 I'm so sorry you are going through this. I hope you find a surgeon you like. Good luck. Sending good vibes!

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2016

    funthing - Again? I am so so sorry. So unbelievable and so unfair. I hope you find a great facility that will get rid of this S@#t once and for all. Gentle hug.


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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited April 2016

    Thank you. Right now it just seems harder and harder to feel resilient.

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  • oceangirl654
    oceangirl654 Member Posts: 217
    edited March 2016

    I'm so sorry. Maybe you can go to MD Andersen. They are amazing, and it would set your mind at ease to know you have the best possible care. Lots of hugs xx

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited March 2016

    Before rushing to MD Anderson, please check with your insurance. Some insurance companies no longer cover MD Anderson, as many of my bc sisters in Texas recently found out.

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited March 2016

    Otessa -

    You didn't say whether you had a sentinal node biopsy done or not. I did (three nodes, all negative - Yay) and about a month or two later I found a lump under my arm. I was in the process of reconstruction, so i asked my plastic surgeon if it was something to be concerned about. He thought it may be scar tissue and suggested I see my surgeon. I did, it turned out to be liquid pooling in the pocket where the nodes were removed. I eventually had the surgeon aspirate it because it wasn't going down on its own. All good now.

    So...be aware of your body, but don't panic.

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited April 2016

    Thank you will do.

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited March 2016

    http://www.rwjuh.edu/rwjuh/breast-care-connection....

    Have you considered Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center? I have no personal experience but understand they are very involved in genetic cancer research plus clinical trials with local pharma companies.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited March 2016

    I agree you should be seen at a university based teaching hospital which RWJ is. I go to Columbia Medical Center in NYV and IM very happy with my care. Please let me know if you want more details...

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited April 2016

    Hi information would be great. I'm just so afraid of abandoning my onc. The treatment there is great, people are awesome.

    I'm loosing hope that I have a chance. Which is ridiculous.

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  • Poodlelover
    Poodlelover Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2016

    I am 4 months out from bilateral mastectomy and 6 weeks out from implant exchange. 3 weeks ago I found a lump in my armpit. Onco checked it, thought maybe from fat grafting. PS checked it said it is not that, may be a lymph node. Ultrasound scheduled for Monday. If it is a lymph node, any experience with 1 lymph node that is swollen for this length of time?

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  • Kessa619
    Kessa619 Member Posts: 80
    edited July 2016

    Hi, Poodlelover. I am 6 months out from BMX. Two weeks after surgery, I discovered a single palpableaxillary lymph node. Doctors think it is nothing concerning. Looks normal on ultrasound. But it is hanging around so long, it makes me really nervous. I have an appointment on 8/2 to decide whether to excise.

    Hope both of our nodes are nothing!!

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