I might have a recurrance....tiny hard nodule

Options
2

Comments

  • rosieS
    rosieS Member Posts: 83
    edited August 2007
    Hi Calico,

    I am sorry you have this worry. I am forever worried about every lump, bump and growth on my body! I hate this!

    Anyway, the test that I get to measure estrogen levels is "estradiol". I now get this checked only at my six month onc checkups, since I am on lupron and take femara.

    I will be thinking of you!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    Thank you Rosie,
    I will ask for the test on my next onc visit in October.
    Tuesday I see my PS about the nodule, I keep feeling it over and over and in my mind it is growing, DH says it is not....I feel like I would love to have a bilateral all over again, just to make sure...

    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited August 2007
    Calico, I have a very strange recommendation for you....I'm not sure if we discussed this on here or even if it will be of help.....all I am sure of is that you MAY have me committed but, here goes. This is yet another party trick....take a bright flashlight into a dark bathroom and look into the mirror. Shine the flashlight against the bottom of your implant. This might help you to see what is going on in there...or to tell if anything changing size.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    Thanks,
    I will definately keep this in mind for Halloween, a bunch of teenies will come by

    Interesting to see blood vessels "worming" trough and I see the nodule as a spot at the end of a vessel, could be anything, there is also a spot that I can't feel, so....good or bad? (entertaining for sure) and my left (rads) side is glowing much better, sure took more tissue there....

    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited August 2007
    LOL Calico!!! It is very interesting....but I thought you might be better able to keep an eye on your 'spot'. Did your DH think that you had lost your mind?? Mine sure did!!! Best wishes
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2007
    Just an update on the nodules that I found. I saw my dermatologist today and she did biopsy. She is pretty sure they are fibromas. She said they are most common on legs and arms but of course mine had to be on my affected breast. Go figure. I'll find out for sure by end of week if B9. I'll be doing the happy dance if so.

    Prayers that you come out just fine,
    blessings,
    Wendy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    I could not sleep last night, so here I am at 4.00 am in the dark bathroom with the flashlight....you get the picture....

    Wendy,
    good luck to you. I hope I have some tomorrow at the PS's office.....

    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2007
    Thanks,
    We're all pulling for ya. I don't really get the flashlight thing but I know I've looked and felt the nodule about 20 x a day for the last couple weeks. UGHHH!

    I'll pray for ya and think of you especially tomorrow.
    blessings
    wendy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    Thanks Wendy!!

    Okay,
    here goes....the PS thinks it should come out BUT he thinks it is scar tissue.
    He could do it in his office and numb it and cut it out with the scalpel right there, the good thing, no anesthesia.
    What bugged me, they did the one year follow up for the INAMED study on my recon at the same time even though I did not ask or know that they would do it because it is not one year yet until November and he thought I am there for that.

    So we were chatting about re-doing recon possibilities and how to take the thingy out after he had asked me the questionaire questions and his nurse said "well we have 3 more patients waiting, I should make another appointment for the recon questions. I was just a little ticked and told her that my health insurance pays for the visit (and probably Inamed too since it is a follow up).
    So there....

    Now, while it is nice to get it done there in the office, I am tempted to go to the breast surgeon but that would definately be with anesthesia.

    Awwww....I feel like the headless chicken....

    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2007
    Ughh! Those kind of mix ups drive me crazy too! But, I'm sure you must be feeling good that it is most likely scar tissue! Yea!!! I hope that they can get you in soon for the second appt! They should as they were mixed up in what they were supposed to do today-- their mistake!

    blessings,
    W
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    Wendy,
    I am scared until I hear the B-word...until then...

    Soooo....would you go back to the PS??? Is it safe as in germ conrol over an OR?? I mean, technically, infection and loss of implant the breast surgeon said, the PS didn't even, there was no time....do I need an antibiotic?

    Somebody please tell me what to do....pweeeezzzeeee
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited August 2007

    EEEEKKKK.....I would say YES to the antibiotic!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2007
    I get an antibiotic every time I go to the dentist. I love my plastic surgeon and would trust his technique completely. But, better safe than sorry. I had my dermatologist take the nodule out the other day and I guess I didn't even think about the possibility of infection as she cleaned the area really well, used sterile technique, and the area isn't deep. I put bacitracin on daily also. I guess that theoretically an infection could go into the bloodstream and affect our implants. Since the nodule you describe is a bit bigger, then is seems like a good thing to ask for. I didn't get nips done but my PS was going to do it in his office. So, they must have sterile technique I'm thinking.

    You are right about waiting to hear the B word. I am looking forward to getting the final "all clear" for both of us.

    Hang in there,
    Wendy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited August 2007
    PS's nurse said no antibiotics necessary, because he would not "touch" the implant. What if that thingy has "roots" or is extended downward??? With the flashlight it sure looks elongated rather than round.....

    Maybe I should see the breast surgeon instead?

    Lets see how insane I can drive myself until the 14th.....
    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited August 2007

    Calico, "THE PROCEDURE" (I hate that terminology) is invasive so I would badger someone for antibiotics......I'm taking a preventative dose for my tattoo (as recommended by my PS).......I would think your PS would be more anal about your implants and the possibility of infection?????????????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007
    I will ask for the antibiotics. If I lose an implant, he's not going to put a new one in...
    He was more "anal" about the survey on the follow up score than examining my whole breast.

    God Bless
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited September 2007
    Hi. Got the " all clear" finally. Yea! It took so long to get results back as the derma fibroma had a "weird shape." The pathologist said it was probably like that because of having radiated skin.

    Hope all goes well for ya,
    blessings,
    Wendy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007
    Awww, thank God it's clear!!

    I go in on the 14th, I don't know how long pathology takes....I am sooo tempted to see another breast surgeon to do it....I really have issues with my PS due to my reconstruction, the fact I don't "need" antibiotics and that he said so condensending "you didn't change at all, did you?" when I told him about my fear that this could be cancer....silly me, why should I be scared, nobody gets recurrances, mets or dies from breast cancer....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited September 2007
    I would be frightened and angry as %$^*(&^ if I were in your shoes.

    What a way to treat someone who is scared. I am so sorry this is happening.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited September 2007

    GRRRRR!  I'd feel the same way.  I don't think the PS is grasping the gravity of the fears we face and how well we monitor our bodies.  The 14th does seem a while to wait.  I am praying that you get quick and B9 results and that they PS and others can gain more compassion for what we face on a daily basis.

     Wendy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007

    Hi,

    I'm back from the procedure. He told me it's going to be a suture (even though after starting, he said the sutures normally disolve). He numbed and cut along the scar line.

    He first thought it was the orientation bumps of the implant and gave me an implant to feel. It wasn't pointy enough for me and I said I don't think that's what I feel. After probing some more, he found vascular clips and took them out.

    That seemed to have been it. In a piece of scar tissue, I could see the dark metal, like a staple. He still sends it to pathology.

    I am very relieved, still hold my breath until I hear "no cancer cells in scar tissue" just in case.

    I think I aged 10 years in the last couple of weeks.

    Now I can concentrate on the other cancer patients in my family again :)

    God Bless

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited March 2008

    Calico,



    That is just such great news! I'm sure it was a great strain on you...and to think you jump right up and say, "now I can concentrate on the other cancer patients in my family again...."



    You are very generous. Don't forget to give yourself a little pat on the back and special moment!

    Tender

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited September 2007

    Calico, I've had you in my thoughts and am VERY relieved to hear YOUR RELIEF!!!!  Give yourself a treat and happy healing!  Best wishes

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007

    Thank you Tender and Rubytuesday,

    actually, I do applaud your suggestion about the flashlight, in retrospect, the thingy seemed to be at the end of a vessel seperated by the mast scar, so I thought it could not possibly be connected due to the scar.....

    Now it makes sense since it probably clamped that vessel.

    Still fretting a little there could be some weird stray not expected unwanted horrible cancer cells for whatever reason in the scar tissue....should have told them to throw the thing away.....grrrr.....

    I just made brownies....and try not to eat any *grin* I do believe in torturing myself.....;-)

    God Bless

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rubytuesday
    rubytuesday Member Posts: 2,248
    edited September 2007

    Calico, YOU deserve a brownie....maybe the whole plate.  I do think the flashlight trick it THE BEST for keeping an eye on things.  Probably better than a MRI and definitely CHEAPER....LOL!!!  Best wishes and try to relax.  My motto is that there is always plenty of time to worry when you have to worry so try to 'back-burner' it.  Push it out of your mind every time the 'what ifs' try to get you!!!  Try some positive affirmations instead.  I truthfully don't think it is anything to worry about since you have a VERY reasonable explanation for it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • yellowfarmhouse
    yellowfarmhouse Member Posts: 279
    edited September 2007

    Wow!  So glad that we both got good news.  Why oh why do we have to keep having these scares! 

    Anyhow, I too just ate about three brownies at Bible study.  Felt so good to eat something naughty! 

    blessings and prayers and good wishes,

    Wendy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited September 2007

    I had a hard nodule along my scar under my arm.  The weird thing was that I never felt it (because the area was so numb) anyway the doctor found it and said I think its a cyst.  It was a cyst.  It was hard as a rock and if I ever felt it before he did I think I would have had a heart attack.  Take a deep breath.  One day at a time!  My thoughts are with you.

    Barb (used to be  pharmmom but now 64barb with this new form) :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007

    I have not heard anything regarding the pathology, so I guess no surprises found in the scar tissue.....I hope!!!

    Thank you both :)

    God Bless

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Indigoblue
    Indigoblue Member Posts: 274
    edited September 2007

    The "nodule", a mass, a suspicious area.  I had one which appeared and disappeared on the mammograms/sonograms for years; after all the sugery and chemo, radiation, the digital mammo detected the same old nodule; inducing panic for the radiologist, myself, the breast nurses...they lost the "before" surgery mammo", and sent me off with a book about cancer recurrance. 

    A few days later, I was told there was nothing to worry about and that the "old nodule" was actually smaller. 

    What I want to know is why was it not removed along with all the cysts, calcifications and other weird stuff floating around?  Why wasn't the "nodule" mentioned since it was there, anyway?

    In fact, why wasn't it biopsied? 

    '

    The new radiologist was far less informative; the old radiologist has since decided only to work part time, if that.  Are we supposed to think all is well, wonderful, perfect, fine, even if a storm is coming our way? What the heck, maybe it's a "why bother to worry them, needlessly" attitude.  I know, I should say nothing about this experience, but the definitions for lumps, nodules, lesions, masses, tumors, cysts; grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

    Indi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited September 2007

    Got my benign results yesterday over the phone...one of those weird conversations (my DH said...yeah it's benign but she got a heart attack when she got the results).

    The PS's nurse left a message to call her. I did so. She then did not remember why she called (good, can't be bad, right?).

    I asked "because of my appointment" not wanting to mention the C word.

    She then said, "no"

    I asked "because of the pathology report"?

    She said with a grave voice "ohhh yes!" (at that point I started shaking and hearing a beeping sound in my ear).

    Then she finally said "its benign" and read part of the report to me.

    I had a good cry after hanging up....one goes through ups and downs and nothing was really expected out of this after we found it to be a clip BUT one also watches every nuance of tone and words when calls like that take place......

    Today, I got the suture removed and picked up a copy of the path report.

    Apparently they got the results on the 20th already, but didn't feel like calling I guess....not that I was overly worried....Tongue out

    God Bless

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories