HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Strange symptoms

Joan M · 12-13-2007, 08:29 PM

Steph,

I had my port in for three years and during the course of that time I developed a mass of tiny veins all across my chest with "pooling" in some spots, which all went away when my port was removed.

My onc even mentioned it when examining me before I got a chance to point it out. She noticed it immediately.

Every oncologist I consulted could never explain the veins. They all said they'd never seen anything like it.

I would also have periods when my face would be swollen and puffy, and my face would get really bright red and puffy if I bent over. I would also become very light-headed if I bent over. And this was quite a while after I ended my chemo and Herceptin when I had early stage bc.

It all went away after the port was removed.

Joan

12-13-2007, 08:29 PM	#26
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	I had veins too, and facial swelling Steph, I had my port in for three years and during the course of that time I developed a mass of tiny veins all across my chest with "pooling" in some spots, which all went away when my port was removed. My onc even mentioned it when examining me before I got a chance to point it out. She noticed it immediately. Every oncologist I consulted could never explain the veins. They all said they'd never seen anything like it. I would also have periods when my face would be swollen and puffy, and my face would get really bright red and puffy if I bent over. I would also become very light-headed if I bent over. And this was quite a while after I ended my chemo and Herceptin when I had early stage bc. It all went away after the port was removed. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!