After Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy

morningdove · March 2019

I have just become a new member here and am so grateful to have this community. I recently was diagnosed with Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma Stage 1, Grade 2/3, Estrogen Positive. I had a lumpectomy a month ago along with Sentinel lymph node biopsy and 3 lymph nodes removed all negative for cancer cells as well as clear margins where the carcinoma was removed on my right breast. The initial recovery in the first few weeks went really really well. I was surprised I hardly had any discomfort at all. Since that time though I have been experiencing a gradual onset of more discomfort, more soreness, swelling, a tight cord under my arm and a reddish, yellowish discoloration on the inner lower part of my breast that includes the nipple. The nipple also looks weird, discolored and is inverted. The incision for surgery was on the outer side of my breast so this is a strange development and I have seen the surgeon who doesn't think it is an infection but perhaps bruising from the trauma of surgery though he also finds it odd that a month later I am having this. He wants to "wait and see" if this resolves and delay radiation which is the next course of treatment for me. When I googled my symptoms I was alarmed to find Inflammatory Breast Cancer coming up everywhere so I am quite concerned. Has anyone had these kind of breast developments appear late post lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy?

Runrcrb · March 2019

don’t google 😲

Go back to your surgeon

Regarding the tight cord, that is likely axillary web syndrome (AWS). Ask for a breast cancer lymphedema specialist who will be able to help with that. Mine was great and the AWS was resolved in a few weeks.

Moderators · March 2019

Hi morningdove and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis and your troubles post-surgery. However, we're really glad you've found our Community -- you're sure to find this space a wealth of information, support, and advice.

We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in on your experience, but in the meantime, stay off Dr. Google!

We look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

gb2115 · March 2019

Bruising can be very delayed. I was bruised for about 2 months after my surgery, and the bruising definitely changed over time. It was scary looking at the 4 week mark when I went to see the radiation oncologist for the first time. The bruises can also sink to the bottom of your breast. I was a hot mess because I had an MRI biopsy 3 days before my lumpectomy, on the opposite side of the same breast. That wouldn't stop bleeding then developed a massive hematoma. They were still able to do the lumpectomy because the hematoma was separate from the surgical area. Tried to drain it during surgery without success, it had already started to congeal I guess. In any event, so I had extensive bruising from that awful MRI, and then from the lumpectomy. I joked that I had my own personal Superfund Hazmat site on my chest.

It all eventually went away. Definitely keep an eye on it--you can always keep bugging them to get re-evaluated one more time. My understanding with IBC is that it just rapidly gets worse, rather than staying the same or getting better. Or call your surgeon, tell them you're worried it's IBC, and they can tell you why they think it isn't (or maybe they'd get you into the office again). It might ease your mind. I google a lot as well, so I totally get it.

morningdove · March 2019

Thank you so much for your response Runrcrb. I did go back to my surgeon since discovering the discoloration, swelling and cording and will be calling on Thursday to give the nurse an update. I hear you about not googling. Hard to do! Thank you for sharing your experience with AWS. I believe this will resolve in time for me too.

morningdove · March 2019

Thank you for your warm welcome Moderators! It's wonderful to have this site and be able to talk with others and share experiences. Cancer sucks for sure and support is so important to both give and to receive. I feel quite fortunate to be diagnosed at Stage 1A with negative lymph nodes. The is all new to me and scary.

morningdove · March 2019

Thanks so much gb2115. It is reassuring to hear about delayed bruising and that it will fade and get better. I just didn't expect to find this large pink red yellow discoloration that surrounded the lower half of my breast, areola and nipple after pretty smooth sailing for 4 weeks. It just suddenly appeared and also my older sister 5 years ago had a double mastectomy. Her initial symptoms were sudden onset of red inflamed swollen breasts. She had multiple types of cancer found in both breasts. She is still surviving but has never let me know the stage or type of cancer she was diagnosed with so I fear the worse because of how private she is with details. Glad you understand the google habit. So much information available online. It is both a blessing and a curse. Wish you well and thanks again for your response.

morningdove · March 2019

Glad to report I saw my Radiation Oncologist this morning for CT Simulation and Mapping before actual Radiation treatment next week. She was happy to tell me after examining me that the swelling, discoloration, and cording have all improved since 10 days ago and I am ready for Radiation. I was so relieved and have let go of my panic about IBC. I feel extremely fortunate and know from time to time I will feel alarmed depending on symptoms and unexpected developments but for today and looking ahead I can rest.

gb2115 · March 2019

Glad to hear it!!!

morningdove · March 2019

Started radiation this week on Tuesday and it has been so quick and so easy. I still have the ongoing redness and inflammation that I have been concerned about but had felt more reassured that it was part of my healing process from the surgery. On Friday morning though I woke up feeling so very hot and my skin felt really hot to the touch. My whole body felt overheated and I wondered if I had a fever. I went to my early morning radiation and during the treatment I started feeling not so well and then I got anxious. The staff was great with me and got me in to the Dr since I didn't feel well along with more redness and heat coming from my body and the right breast. While I was waiting to see the Dr I started feeling dizzy and like I might faint. My heart raced and I got all shaky. My temperature was up 99.1 (this is not considered a fever but for me my temp is usually lower then 98.6) and my blood pressure was down. All of a sudden I felt really scared. Then I got even more upset and started to cry. I think this morning was pretty much the first time I was really emotional about having breast cancer and the treatment I am undergoing. I'm also so worried about my Mom, my sister (who has cancer) and we just learned that my younger brother is fighting this also. Just 2 weeks ago I had to put my beloved cat to sleep that was diagnosed with cancer in both kidneys 5 days after my diagnosis in January of this year. I cared for him at home with pain medication and fluids until I could see he was suffering and then said goodbye to my boy on March 16th 2019. The tears are welling up in my eyes now as I tell you about losing him, still I know I was able to comfort him and give him peace from his failing body. My Mom who is 85 has been breaking down in tears and I have been so very strong but it all hit me during this morning's treatment. The Dr is now putting me on antibiotics (CEPHALEXIN) since I might be fighting an infection in my breast that is complicating radiation and causing the increasing redness along with not feeling well now. She reassured me I am ok and they will be with me all the way. I feel relieved now. It's particularly tough for me to manage my anxiety because I suffer from a history of panic disorder that was initially diagnosed when I was only 20 (I'm 61 now) while suffering from attacks all during my teenage years. Back then they didn't know about panic disorder. I have been on anti-depressants since that time that have saved my life in so many ways. Still, when I don't feel well my body automatically reacts with severe panic even with medication. I come from a past of PTSD and the development of panic disorder at a young age is an expression of trauma. I was overwhelmed by this emotional and physical storm on Friday morning and the staff were all so caring and helped me through it. Will go pick up my antibiotic and hope that resolves the inflamed breast that started a month after the surgery and if it doesn't I hope I can overcome my sense of danger and fear while I'm going through this. There are tons of caring people and I am grateful for this site. Thanks so much for letting me vent with all that is going on. Here is my beautiful 8 year old boy Jessie that is now my angel.

gb2115 · March 2019

Sorry about your kitty. We lost a 4 year old orange tabby (greatest cat ever) to kidney failure about 6 years ago and I still miss him. It's so hard.

I hope the antibiotics help quickly for you!!!

morningdove · March 2019

Thank you for your response and support gb2115! Hope you're doing well! It's a new day with a fresh breath of air.

morningdove · April 2019

Good Monday morning! I am rounding the bend of radiation and this morning will be treatment #14 of 21. The last 5 treatments I believe will be boost ones. It has gone by so fast and the team I have has been so great and caring. I have had only one meltdown so far where everything seemed to overwhelm me emotionally and I felt very scared. I was placed on antibiotics because I wasn't feeling well, had a low grade temp and the redness and inflammation in my breast was worse then my Doctor expected to see. It hasn't gone away and my breast is quite swollen now but I believe the increased swelling itself is from the radiation. I can no longer wear my original bra and will have to shop for a larger one. Only time will tell along with a CT my Dr. did last week. I am hopeful if anything is a concern it will show up on those pictures and they will let me know. However I do believe they would wait until after radiation to tell me if anything was wrong. I am relieved that they are investigating these symptoms in my breast. A day at a time. Thank you for this site for support and information. Hope your Monday is a good one as well as the week.

morningdove · April 2019

With love from morning dove...

https://www.facebook.com/robinleefieldmusic/videos...

DiagnosisDisruption · April 2019

I am eight months out of radiation and had a harder time with radiation than I did with chemo (and I did the hard stuff for six months). Surprised everyone that radiation was so hard. They even didn't do the boosts, it was so bad. That being said, 8 months out and it is still hot. I ended up going to a lymphedema massage specialist for physical therapy (lumpectomy, re-excision and two nodes removed, negative) and it was a game changer. Six weeks after rads I wanted my breast removed. I did therapy and it's finally back to being squishy. It is very surprising (even though they tell you), it takes a long time to get over radiation. Longer than chemo, for me.

Keep plugging along, drink water like it's your second job, walk a lot, and find a physical therapist that can do lymphatic drainage massage (it will also help with cording that develops and comes out of nowhere 2 months out).

morningdove · April 2019

Thank you so much DiagnosisDisruption for sharing with me your experience. I haven't had to have chemo and part of my treatment post radiation will be a hormone blocker so I can only imagine what that must be like. It sounds like you weathered it well but it was radiation that was much harder for you. I have had 18 of 20 treatments, with the last 2 being Monday and Tuesday this week. My last five treatments have been booster ones. I have a bit of a rash now above my breast after the 3rd booster treatment and some brown spots that now appear under my breast. I'm doing pretty well though but continue to be quite swollen with reddish tone. I was told by my Radiation Oncologist that after treatment it would get worse and then better. So we will see. Thank you for the lymphedema tips. It may just be that I am experiencing some of that and so good to know it worked for you! Wishing you continued healing!

morningdove · May 2019

It has been 3 and 1/2 months since my lumpectomy, a month since ending 20 treatments of radiation and a month on anastrozole. I have done incredibly well except for a few flareups of flu like symptoms, low grade fever and chills, swelling, redness so I consider myself very fortunate. The latest setback was last week when I suddenly felt freezing. I couldn't get warm and felt like I was coming down with the flu with body aches. I had chills but no fever that I knew of for a few days. My right side of my neck felt very sore and so did under my right arm but after advil and rest I felt a bit better but still under the weather. It's hard to know if you just have some kind bug or if this is related to treatment and breast cancer. The next morning I felt pain under that right arm and then there it was, a large painful swelling and it made sense to me why I had chills the last few days and wasn't feeling well. Any movement in my arm hurt and it was most painful to raise my arm. I called my medical team and was able to see both a Dr and a Physician's Assistant. The initial thought was that it was inflammation from my treatment and for me to watch it. Since that time the swelling has reduced to a harder lump under my arm, more swelling beneath that and where the sentinel lymph nodes have been removed. I've been resting more, taking advil and took a few sick half days from work so I could nap in the afternoons. Still watching it for signs of infection and will call again if they appear (redness, red streak, fever).

I have been scheduled for an ultrasound next week and will be glad to know what that lump is. I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't worried about this and the possibility of bc and lymph node involvment. Hoping for the best.

After Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy

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