Help - Talk me down!
 

Kiri has been doing so wonderfully lately--through her chemo and radiation and on Herceptin every three weeks and very active and happy, getting her life back, traveling - and I was just starting to let my guard down and relax. We are set to go on a family cruise in January to celebrate. Then today she called me and casually mentioned during our conversation that she is going in on Thursday for her annual mammogram (on her other breast, which was absolutely clean at the time of her initial diagnosis last October (2010), and she may have to do an MRI because now her (good) right breast is very lumpy and there are at least a few definite lumps. She blames it on the tamoxifen but nowhere can I find any connection between tamoxifen and increased breast lumps. I am so scared she is going to have to deal with a new cancer. I know I really can't do anything but wait until she gets a better idea on Thursday after her mammo/MRI, but I feel like I've been catapulted right back into that awful limbo of waiting we went through last October.

Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of tamoxifen CAUSING lumps? Surely with all the chemo and stuff she has been through in the last year she could not have developed cancer in her good breast so quickly? Unfortunately I know all too well that cancer's real threat is its unpredictability. :-((

I will keep you all posted when I find out more. Prayers appreciated in the meantime...

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

I have no idea about Tamoxifen causing lumps, but I couldn't leave you hanging out here. I was just searching this site getting myself all unnecessarily amped up about possible recurrences instead of living in the now and being happy that I'm doing so well. Yes, every time we do the tests again (well, I've had a BMX, so no mammograms for me, but other tests), we'll always have more fear than we did pre-cancer. Better to know now though that they may order an MRI and it doesn't "mean" anything, so you're prepped for it, and don't read into it. Hang in there. I can't wait to hear she's fine. :)

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

Most breast lumps are benign and although I've never heard of tamox causing any Kiri may have fibrocystic breasts as many women do. Given the past history its of course best to have this checked sooner rather than later and I hope it's nothing sinister and all results will be B9!!!

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

Thanks, girls. I heartily appreciate the sanity! ProfBee, DON'T tell her I posted here!! She gets furious when I "spread her name all over the internet" - LOLOL. How are you doing?? You look GREAT.

Tricia, I don't think she's had fibrocystic breasts in the past--she does have very dense breast tissue--but you never know. I did find some evidence that chemo can cause changes in breast tissue, so it could be that and not the tamoxifen. I just thank God every day she is at such a fabulous treatment center, and I know she'll get the very best of care. I really need to learn to calm down and deal with this ongoing uncertainty in a less stressful manner. What is it they say--that we keep getting certain lessons until we learn them? ;-)

Will definitely let you all know when I know something more. Thanks again for chiming in. :-)

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

P.S.Tricia, where in Ireland are you? My family is from Ballsbridge and Belfast.

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

Hey, love. I'm doing really well--complete pathological response by the time of surgery! So, I'm on Herceptin and Tamoxifin, and hoping things stay this good. :) I won't say a word--we haven't chatted since the beginning of my journey (when you were both so kind to me). You're so right--she's in great hands.

Re: Help - Talk me down!
 

Just wanting to chime in and tell you to come in off the ledge! We all know how you are feeling, of course. But it just isn't productive to worry until we have concrete reason. The waiting is worst, isn't it?
You know my mantra, keep the faith.