Have I got anything to worry about?

[Lyn]

I already know I have mets in my breast it has been there for 12 months now, I am on oral Xeloda/Cyclosphamide with trible herceptins. The last punch biopsy although not good wasn't too bad either but assume oral not working. I had a mammo with ultrasound today and not sure if I should be worried. I see my onc on Tuesday next week. This is the report. Marked skin thickening around the nipple and prominence of the breast parenchyma are attributed to radiotherapy changes.(I had severe rads with Xeloda) Ths is reinforced by the presence of oedema in the soft tissues on ultrasound. This radiographic densityu could obscure a significant lesion on ath mammogram but noe is bisable. There is no suspiciuos microcalcification. The small subcutaneous lesions towards the axillary tail are again seen. They now measure about 5mm and 4mm a slight increase from the studay performed on 06/01/06 (2mm-3mm) These could be subcutaneous metastases. Within the right axilla, the small well defined hypoechoic lesion previously demonstrated is unaltered. At around 10. o'clock at the interface between the fatty and glandular tissue, there is now increased prominence of some well defined hypoechoic tubular structures, presumably ductal elements. They now measure almost 5mm transversely and contain some debris. No distortion of the adjacent parenchyma is seen. The remainder is unchanged. My original diagnoses in 98 was a very agressive form of BC this has been smouldering for 12 months, obviously because of the Herceptin but it did manage to sneek through and is tougher than radiation and Taxol.

Well it is as clear as mud to me, any ideas, and what should I try next.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[StephN]

Lyn, how about getting rid of that breast if the cancer may be getting smarter and harder to deal with??
I know we like to keep what we can of our original equipment, but this is looking more like a stubborn mets problem.
Let us know how the consult goes and what some of the technical stuff means.

BTW - how is the shoulder doing these days?? Better, I really hope!

[Lyn]

Thanks Steph, I asked my onc about getting rid of it once before and he said where do you stop cutting? Then he said no one would do it anyway, this was a while back so I will see what he has to say on Tuesday, I would be glad to get rid of it, it is getting really hot over here in OZ and I get a rash under it at times and it just hangs like a big PawPaw (I think you call it Papaya) and I can't even wear a bra with my shoulders. As for the shoulder, still no closer to knowing what is wrong with it, I am on pain meds around the clock, and boy does my body know the clock, problem is my slow release stops about an hour before it should so it mucks up my drug regime because I take 1 Ibrufen, 1 neurontin and 2 panamax (Paracetemol) and it kicks it just about straight away then I have 2 panamax every 4-5 hours, I even wake in the night for them and I also have another neurontin at lunch time, how long I will have to put up with this I don't know, I have another MRI on March 8 and then see the orthoepaedic specialist after that, all I know is my original bad shoulder with the avascular necrosis is now my good one I have to use my left arm to raise my right arm and apparently my Braxis whatever it is called is normal on the other MRI, to look at me you would think I have had a mild stroke, I am numb from the top of the ear down the neck to the top of my shoulder and just down a bit and my right eye doesn't open as wide as my left one, it is definately a facial atrophy which could also be linked to my connective tissue mixed of course I could just have one but the sclerderma bit, my heart picked up on it in 2003, I read this in my file a couple of months back, I didn't even realise then that I had that look about me, I must be needing stronger glasses, but at least I can still type with my elbows pressed against my sides. I will keep you informed.

Love & Hugs Lyn

[kristen]

Lynn, When I read the top of your post I thought the same thing as Steff. I just feel so bad for you. You have gone through the ringer and then some. I hope, maybe having it removed will give you some much needed release from soreness, and rashes, etc. Know your always in my prayers and let us know what the Dr. says. lol k