New lump? How ridiculous am I being?

Options
Melbo
Melbo Member Posts: 346
edited September 2021 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

There is a very large part of me that thinks this is ridiculous— but I swear over the last few days I have felt a new lump in my cancer breast that wasn’t there a week ago, not too far from my original lump. The ridiculous part is that I had a PCR to chemo, a clean mammogram at the end of July, surgery at the beginning of August in the cancer breast to remove a biopsy clip, and I just finished herceptin/Perjeta in mid-August. Realistically I keep reminding myself that this is most likely something left over from surgery and I just now noticed it.

Anyone want to talk me down? Thoughts on calling the surgical center

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited September 2021

    Ohhhh I would definitely get it checked out Melbo while I'd keep the self-talk to fat necrosis or scar tissue, etc. until and unless you hear different.... Hopefully you can get in soon to get it checked out. Hoping no worry too and that will just decrease your time worrying..... Please let us know when you find out something. Hoping others will chime in with some support and ideas for self-talk, etc. too....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aram
    Aram Member Posts: 417
    edited September 2021

    Melbo, I am really sorry to hear that. It should be terrifying. I hope you can get it checked out soon. Considering you just finished HP, it most probably is something benign. Fingers crossed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited September 2021

    well, odds are that it is scar tissue but I'd get a dr to palpate it anyway. hope it turns out to be a big nothing but get your worries eased by reaching out to your team - it's what they're there for

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited September 2021

    This morning I had a biopsy on a new lump, something I found 3 weeks ago today. At the end of that week, my PCP estimated it at 5mm. I had US and mammogram on Friday (2 weeks after PCP felt it) that estimated it at more than 8mm. Definitely bigger. We ALL think (me, the BS, the radiologists) that the most likely reason is fat necrosis. BUT. You are NOT ridiculous, AND you don't need to panic. You need to get checked. Let us know what you find out.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited September 2021

    just adding - yes get it checked, it’s likely nothing but just get it checked to be sure!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melbo
    Melbo Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2021

    Fat necrosis. Whew! My surgeon had an appointment available this afternoon. He did an exam and took a quick look with ultrasound and said it looked like fat necrosis — but then he sent me next door for a quick mammogram and ultrasound by a radiologist. She agreed with his assessment and that was that.

    Even knowing that necrosis was the most logical cause of the lump the experience sucks. At least I was able to get an answer today and didn’t have to line up multiple appointments over the course of several weeks.

    Also both the surgeon and radiologist reassured me that getting it checked was absolutely the right decision.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited September 2021

    yay, happy for you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited September 2021

    Melbo:

    You are never being ridiculous to worry about a new lump, or a lump that you think might have changed, or anything that you think might look or feel off about your body. It is, after all, your body. It could be nothing but it's always good to get things like that checked even if you feel a little silly about it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited September 2021

    So happy to hear it's FAT!! Isn't it amazing that fat lumps are good news for us?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Aram
    Aram Member Posts: 417
    edited September 2021

    great news!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited September 2021

    really glad you were already able to get this check out! great news!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited September 2021

    Happy to hear it was fat necrosis. Is that dead fat cells? Ew.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited September 2021

    Alice, it IS dead fat! It's a lump of fat that got disconnected from its blood supply, so the cells die. Ew, indeed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Melbo
    Melbo Member Posts: 346
    edited September 2021

    ew indeed. The radiologist also warned me that the tissue could die months or even years later so yay? Cancer… the gift that just keeps on bringing nightmares

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited September 2021

    Who knew that we would be so happy to hear about a bit of dead fat? Great news !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited September 2021

    Soooo happy for you Melbo!!! And to the other comments on the fat, and necrosis part of fat, you all are tooooooo funny! It's good we can still have humor and be silly!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories