Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Had a lumpectomy almost 3 weeks ago, plus examination and removal of six lymph nodes-one cancerous. Sutures healin well, but some continued tenderness in the center of the axcilla (armpit). While showering today I noticed a raised lymph node. Not painful, red, or itchy, but noticeable. Going to call the surgeon’s office to ask.
Anyone experience thiis? Thoughts? Radiation to be scheduled, but no chemotherapy.
Appreciate all responses
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Was it a lymph node, or was it a seroma (an accumulation of fluid filling in the space where tissue was removed)? Most likely a seroma. If it was a lymph node, they do sometimes swell in response to infection, hormonal cycling or even stress. And heaven knows you've been dealing with a lot of the latter. Talk to your surgeon, but (s)he'll doubtless reassure you. And no rush on the radiation--you need time to heal, and your breast needs to settle down a bit so the CT-scan mapping will be accurate.
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Jagger,
I don't have experience, but I found this. I hope this helps and I hope your docs can help you. I found Moose and Doc when I started my BC journey. I like their explanations of things: Moose and Doc reference
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I like Moose and Doc too. Sort of like Breast Cancer For Dummies. Simplified, somewhat.
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I LOVE Moose & Doc!!! They got me through those first few weeks.
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ChiSandy,
No, I’m pretty sure it’s a lymph node vs a seroma. I read your highly informative post about your seroma, but I know that’s not what it is. The is smaller and harder. Have been highly stressed-lost my dog to a fast moving cancer right after my own surgery-devasted and miss her unbearably. Will give the surgeon a call and see.
Thank you for reaching out-I have learned a TON from all of your posts. You are a good person
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MO-Beth,
Thanks, I had actually looked at Moose and Doc before I posted my question. Like everyone else has commented, they write great, very informative posts. But I don’t think this is a seroma
Still think it’s a lymph node, but will see what the surgeon says.
Thanks to everyone who posted a response.
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Josie, my surgeon's NP told me that sometimes there can be hard scar formation that feels like a node or even a lump. But if it's a lymph node, that's likely a sign that your lymphatic system is responding to the physical assault of the surgery and doing what Nature designed it to do. Fingers crossed!
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Have I already asked you guys if anyone got Mondor's Cords underneath their breast after their lumpectomy? If so how long did they last? Were they ever tender? Did you treat with heat or massage?
My surgery was almost 6 weeks ago and I have three hardened cords. The surgeon's NP thought that's what it could be. The only thing is that the area around them, over my ribs, is starting to get pretty tender. It feels like a pulled muscle or bruise. I think I'll call the surgeon about them again. (they supposedly self-resolve over time).
I start radiation in the prone position next week and the edge of the table opening will be right where the discomfort is. Hopefully I will be able to keep still. Good thing it's quick, right?
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ChiSandy,
Had a rough night, alternating between sweaty and chilly. Decided to call my primary care first, see if I had some type of illness. Told the surgeon’s office I would start with my primary care. By the time of my appointment, I had burning on urination. Sure enough, primary care said “big infection in urine”, gave me an antibiotic and will culture my sample to be more precise. Hypothesized the lymph gland was responding to the infection. We’ll see. But at least took some of the fear away.
Thanks to all who responded. Appreciate the support
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Yikes, Josie, glad you got checked! Hope the antibiotics clear things up quickly!
I also wanted to shout out love for Moose and Doc. I’d go live in Canada in a flat minute. Lovely place
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AgathaNYC, YES on the Mondor's cords. They showed up within a few days after lumpectomy and I had no idea what they were. I was in spin class a few days after lumpectomy and felt a bruise on the ribcage. It got worse before it got better. I'm a teacher and every time I reached up to erase something, I felt like I'd been shocked. I did a consultation a week or two later with PS and mentioned some tight tendons, and he took one look and was like, "Hey! Mondor's cords!" and promptly took photos to show staff/future patients. It's a pain, literally. Mine took 6 weeks to subside, and I can still feel them if I raise my arm and lean back, but they don't hurt like they did at the beginning. He said that I could go to PT to get them massaged out, but I just used hot compresses at night and was patient and they finally went away. I have to get a mastectomy and I'm kind of wondering what they'll do about that area since I can still feel them, but I can't get too worked up about it at the moment. Cancer really does help one learn to triage issues.
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Definitely try PT for that cording. You want a PT who is a certified lymphedema therapist. Cording is not lymphodema, of course, but this is the PT specialist best qualified to help you. She will be able to evaluate your cording and teach you gentle exercises that will help get rid of the annoyance . Less gentle techniques are also available, but for me, gentle was the way to go. I was absolutely delighted with the my experience. I might mention also, that my therapist was in the process of encouraging all surgeons in that hospital to send each and every post-surgical patient to her for evaluation. I tend to agree with her that this visit can be helpful in many ways.
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Hi Jagger 2015: Sorry to hear about your seroma. I just had surgery 2 weeks ago and developed one. The doctor said it would reabsorb in the next few months but I guess, considering your experience, it could be much longer!! I'll try to do some more research on this & read about the experiences of others. Were you told what causes this to happen with some women/surgeries and not others? Just curious.
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Just read the Moose & Doc discussion of seroma's--which answered my question. It is a great resource---checked it out previously but hadn't read about seroma's.
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Lumpectomy ladies who will start rads soon: I had this epiphany today that is probably old news, but news I have not seen - how to keep your sore, radiated, lumpectomied boob stationary and moisturized. First off, I kept my breast stationary 24/7 the first few days and always at night by wearing a sports bra of some kind. With radiation I wear small men's Hanes tees at night to prevent the Aquaphor in check, but did not know what to wear when out during the day without a grease spot. Then, duh, breastfeeding pads are just the right size for my boosts and fit perfectly inside this soft bra. Skinny Girl smother and shaper + pads + calendula ointment (or whatever you are using for rads burns) = just right. Hope this helps - it's been a saving grace for me.
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I am 11 days post-lupectomy and feel more sore then I did last week. My BS says things look good but I am having an allergic reaction to the surgucal sutures that are still on the incision and are causing a rash. Is it normal to have more soreness? Maybe I overdid to soon
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Kay - awesome diy!! Wish I had thought of it!
Todohert - same happened to me with the surgical sutures. Itchy weepy rash. I stuck it out but sure wasn’t pleasant. The soreness you described could be from over doing things. Rest easy. Hope you feel better soon
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kaywrite,
THANK YOU! This is a great idea. Haven’t started my radiation but have been following comments about lotions and greasiness on clothes. The photo makes it very clear.
SO GLAD you posted this-thanks agai
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is this thread still active??
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Ok, I’m new here and I’m not even sure if I’m in the right place.
Hx: 2016 May - Stage 1 Uterine Cancer- Radical hysterectomy (no chemo no radiation)
Diagnosed with Atypical Ductal Cell Hyperplasia
Did genetic testing - All negative - Genetic Counselor says I have a 44% chance if breast CA in my life time.
Breast surgeon is suggesting bilateral Mastectomy but Insurance won’t pay for reconstruction surgery ☹️
Surgeon said Lumpectomy is necessary.
Why would I need a Lumpectomy if ADH?
Could there be cancer? I have been getting mammograms every 6 months for the past year in a half with no significant growth.
Thank
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I was initially diagnosed with ADH too, had the lumpectomy and the pathology came back pure DCIS grade 3.
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Tlfrank,
I had mine biopsied in Sept 2016, found the Atypical Ductal Cell Hyperplasia. Recommendation was to continue to monitor via mammogram and MRI. Breast surgeon wants to remove it now, she actually wanted to remove it a year ago
Is it possible to have no growth and still have it come back DCIS.
I go in this Friday for my surgery and I’m more nervous about this then my Uterine Cancer. My family said I was very nervous fir that one to 😁but I’m scared about what they might find 😐
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My biopsy said ADH, and the Dr and Radiologist both recommended removing it. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have known it was DCIS at all. When the Dr delivered my pathology to me, she said "I'm really glad we took this out because your biopsy didn't tell us what was really going on.
I know it's cliche to say, but all you can do is try to breathe and take things one step at a time. Let your family help you and don't try to take everything on yourself.
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I very much try to do just that, take everything on. I really appreciate you answering my questions and letting me know your story
I will keep you up to date about how everything goes.
Thanks again
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Hi Todohert—I agree with Egads....so easy to (unintentionally) overdo it and have surprise pain even 10-14 days later. But if you feel anything worse or maybe that something just isn’t right, definitely call the doctor’s office and ask. Better to check and make sure....
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Does anyone have a pulling in their upper arm when doing stretches. It doesn't happen everytime, but I get a sharp pulling feeling. Just wondering as I am only 3 weeks post op and trying to make sure I don't do something I shouldn't. I have full range of motion, just this off and on "pulling" sensation. Thanks for any info.
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Hi all. I'm also new here.
Briefly (long) 😁 history. At the time of my CA I was 36. I am now 38. I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer back in May 2016. Early stage, Stage 1A.
I found a lump in my left breast about 6 months later and had a mammogram done and they found the calcification in my right breast. Go figure 🙄. They weren't going to biopsy the area but I demanded they do since I just got done having a radical hysterectomy for cancer. Well, glad I did because because they found the area in my breast to be Atypical Ductal Cell Hyperplasia.
Well because of my Uterine Cancer my breast surgeon and oncologist had me do genetic testing/family history. The genetic counselor found that I'm at a 43.4% chance of getting breast cancerin my lifetime 😬
My breast surgeon is recommending a Bilateral Mastectomy but Insurance will not cover reconstructive surgery which is $10,000 🤔
So a little over a year later my breast surgeon said I have to have a Lumpectomy. There has been little to no growth to this area.
I am going into Surgery this Friday for a Lumpectomy.
My question, finally is. Is it possible to have DCIS but with very little growth noted on a mammogram?
I'm so scared it's going to be upgraded from ADH to DCIS
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Hi all. I'm also new here.
Briefly (long) 😁 history. At the time of my CA I was 36. I am now 38. I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer back in May 2016. Early stage, Stage 1A.
I found a lump in my left breast about 6 months later and had a mammogram done and they found the calcification in my right breast. Go figure 🙄. They weren't going to biopsy the area but I demanded they do since I just got done having a radical hysterectomy for cancer. Well, glad I did because because they found the area in my breast to be Atypical Ductal Cell Hyperplasia.
Well because of my Uterine Cancer my breast surgeon and oncologist had me do genetic testing/family history. The genetic counselor found that I'm at a 43.4% chance of getting breast cancerin my lifetime 😬
My breast surgeon is recommending a Bilateral Mastectomy but Insurance will not cover reconstructive surgery which is $10,000 🤔
So a little over a year later my breast surgeon said I have to have a Lumpectomy. There has been little to no growth to this area.
I am going into Surgery this Friday for a Lumpectomy.
My question, finally is. Is it possible to have DCIS but with very little growth noted on a mammogram?
I'm so scared it's going to be upgraded from ADH to DCIS
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I was looking for info on fluid on breast and came across your post. I had a lumpectomy on April 12. About the size of a small lemon was removed 5 cm I believe is what I read. Anyhiw I am healing fine but when I touch the area that was removed it sounds like there is fluid where the tissue was removed. I know this is a question for my follow-up, but is that normal?
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