Someone Please Help Me!!!!

11-28-2008, 02:40 AM

Hi I am 33 years old, had stage 3c invasive ductual carcinoma R breast. CHemo-Hercep/carboplatin/taxotere. then had R side Mastectomy and Lymphectomy as I had 27 nodes removed they found 9 positive for cancer. Had 34 radiation treatments. And I am Her2 positive ER Positive and PR positive. no family history was diagnosed Jan 4 2007. I had the double tram flap reconstruction surgery and then a revision to that just 5 weeks ago.....HERE IS MY PROBLEM. I have found a lump at the inside top of my right breast and to me it feels just like the first three tumors I had that were cancer. My plastic surgeon thinks its just fat necrosis......Has anyone had a tumor come up relly fast...and or grow quickly..if so HOW quickly???? I am soooo freaked out right now. I have this ugly sinking feeling that this is just another fight coming. PLease if you have thoughts or suggestion or stories please talk to me. Everyone around me who by the way has never had cancer keeps telling me... "well you had chemo right?" "They took it out right?" "You did have radiation" I say I know I KNOW quite a few women that did all those right things too...and it still came back...same breast/breast area or to a new location all together. It happens all the time. I go this coming Tuesday for a removal of the "mass" and then they will send it to Pathology and then let me know. But PLease ladies and Gents....if you have anything to say please help me. Thank You All AND GOD BLESS!!!

Mary Anne in TX · 11-28-2008, 03:53 AM

Good Morning! Welcome to our group. I know Tuesday must feel like years away right now. You are right that some on the board have recurred even after all their treatments, but there are also those here who had new places checked and found them to be necrosis or something with the healing process from surgery. I think they'll get on today and share their stories.
I don't have your experience, but I can send some prayers for peace and patience and best wishes for today!
God bless you. ma

MJo · 11-28-2008, 07:31 AM

I don't have your experience, but agree with Mary Anne that chances are good that your lump is what your doctor thinks it is. I have scar tissue under my arm from the sentinel node that feels like three lumps. IMHO, one thing we all share here is post traumatic stress syndrome. A headache is brain mets, rib pain is lung mets.

Whatever you find out, you'll be able to deal with it. I look forward to hearing a sigh of relief from you. If there's a problem, we are all here for you.

Believe51 · 11-28-2008, 10:01 AM

I have no voice when it comes to your situation, but I do have a voice which to pray for positive results and I can send positive healing thoughts your way. We are right here for you and would appreciate your update when you find out what is happening. Stay strong Sweetheart, you are now in all our prayers.>>Believe51

CindyE · 11-28-2008, 03:04 PM

Try and not make yourself crazy over this. I know its hard but keep a positive outlook. I will be praying for good results and for you to have peace as you wait. Take care.

Lien · 11-28-2008, 04:10 PM

We've all been through that fear. And yes, it might be cancer, but it probably isn't.

As someone who's had benign lumps & cysts for 12 year before developing cancer, I've learned to rely on the doctors' "feeling". For 12 years my GP's were sure I had cysts Ultrasounds confirmed their diagnosis. I moved from one city to another, and my docs were always right. Then I developed a new lump. My new GP palpated my breast, and examined my "old" cyst. I smiled and told him that one was benign. He frowned and said: I'm not so sure. Then he examined the new, tiny lump and said that one felt like a cyst. So I went for a mammo & ultrasound. And whaddaya know? My doc was right. The old cyst had changed into DCIS and a small area of Invasive Ductal C. The new lump was B9.

There is nothing you can do until Tuesday. It's highly unlikely that a tumor would grow this fast. Your doctor knows how necrosis feels, but he can't be 100% sure, and you are freaking out (Like most of us would) so he's looking for confirmation.

When you get through this, you will be able to do something, make plans, take control. The waiting is the worst part. We've all been there. We are holding your hand, and hugging you, and telling you to take a deep breath. This too shall pass.

Sometimes it helps to visualise a safe place. Create a mental picture of your perfect house. Set it in a lovely garden, that can be just the way you want. If you want a pool? Zip! There it is. You want a ski-slope on one side and a tropical beach on the other? Just dream it up. Anything goes. Just make sure it's a place you can feel at home in. Decorate the house any way you like. Add pets, books, music, whatever. But make sure you really "see" the whole thing in your minds' eye. Now go and sit in your garden, look at the flowers, the plants or trees. Listen to the music or the sounds of birds. Just focus on this picture and relax. You are completely safe here. Nothing can happen to you. If anything or anyone unpleasant tries to approach you, you take out a special little remote control and zap them out of your life. Just like that. They can come back when and if they are nice to you. When they are helpful, pleasant and supportive.

Try it. It worked for me. As soon as someone made a silly remark (like: Why are you dwelling on having cancer? They took it out. It's gone. Get over it) I'd imagine zapping them with my little remote control. It felt wonderful.

Please let us know how it goes. These are tough days, and we are here to help you get through them.

Hugs

Jacqueline

Sherryg683 · 11-28-2008, 05:07 PM

I have quite a few lumps in my breasts, they are all scar tissue, some are really big, others feel like the lump I found when I was diagnosed. I get regular PET/CT scans and my last scan they did an ultrasound also, all indicated scar tissue...so yes, it's very possible that yours is the same..sherryg683

lexigirl · 11-28-2008, 08:03 PM

I know how scared you must be feeling. After having breast cancer it is really hard not to freak out if we feel a new bump or lump. It's a good thing to get it checked out right away. But, I am really hopeful that it is just some scar tissue.

Hang in there sweetie. I am saying a prayer for NO cancer.

Lexi

ElaineM · 11-28-2008, 09:14 PM

I would get it checked out with an ultra sound, a biopsy or another appropriate tests. No matter what the results are, you will have piece of mind knowing you did all you could. If it is only scar tissue you will be more relaxed. If it is not good news it is better to find out sooner rather than later.

sarah · 11-29-2008, 06:17 AM

Take a deep breath and try to relax. It's probably fat necrosis since it's come up so fast. I think all of us who have had recurrences would advise it's best to be absolutely sure so a more thorough test than a mammo or sonogram would be a good idea - MRI? PTscan? That way you'll feel more confident that you're not in danger.
I had a recurrence but it was years later and originally I wasn't given any chemo or radiation or herceptin because it was back in "middle ages" and originally my cancer wasn't invasive.
Worry won't help but do demand whatever you feel will make you feel secure even if it means a second opinion.
Waiting for news is the worse.
stay calm and positive, you'll get through this.
hugs and love
Sarah

hutchibk · 11-29-2008, 09:52 AM

I can't offer any more help than has already been offered, but all the best as you move forward and try to determine what is going on.

Please join our group officially, too - instead of being unregistered. We would like to keep up with you!

ElaineM · 11-29-2008, 12:03 PM

I vote for calmly getting a second opinion. We should listen to our bodies. I also vote for you joining our group.

Bill · 11-29-2008, 08:48 PM

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Holiday weekends seem forever when something like this is going on. Please keep in touch.

vickie h · 11-29-2008, 11:28 PM

I am praying that it is just scar tissue. I had chemo, then a mastectomy in 2004. 6 weeks later, I had a new tumor at the scar line and yes, it was the cancer. they had gotten clean margins and removed 19 nodes in which 6 were positive. The difference is that I had not yet had radiation. So I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts with the hopes that it is something else. By the way, I am going on 5 years (unbelievable, with my diag.of 3c also) Just know you are loved and cared about here at this site. Hang in there and please let us know how you are after Tuesday. Much love, Vickie

12-01-2008, 11:47 PM

Thank you ladies for all your thoughts and prayers. I saw my oncologist today and he was very concerned that it may be cancer...He said had I come in like this before surgery he would have instantly thought cancer, but since I had surgery he said too many things were at play.uugghh He was worried that tomorrow when I go for a biopsy that if it is cancer they will not remove it all as it is very large. My Onc would like chemo started before surgery but no for sure way to tell what it is until they do a biopsy. So tomorrow we drive to Woodland Hills, Ca and I have surgery at 4pm. THey said I should have the results from pathology by Thursday. Once again thank you all so very much. I will come and update this post as soon as I know something more.

Lien · 12-02-2008, 04:39 AM

Ouch, that sounds scary. Perhaps my mothers' story will give you some hope. She had had an ovary removed at age 38. 2 months later she had a growth in her womb the size of a 5 month pregnancy. Her gyn/onc was convinced she'd developed a malignant tumor, so he planned the surgery asap. Turned out it was entirely benign.

I will be thinking of you!
Sending you good, healing vibes.

Love

Jacqueline

Believe51 · 12-05-2008, 02:23 PM

Just wanted to let you know that we are here for you and awaiting your results. Continued pleasant thoughts for you as you filter out what is happening. As soon as you find out please post what you know.>>Believe51

jones7676 · 12-05-2008, 09:12 PM

If you read the postings on this site for hours you would see that people face things and the results can be different than what is anticipated.....it is so complex and can be scary. Perhaps they are trying to prepare you for the worst? I don't know your doctor. I certainly cannot tell you what to do.

We are all hoping for positive results for you.

12-06-2008, 04:34 AM

Well Ladies I am soooo very happy and excited to report to you. My surgery went well he removed half of the mass as he said if he took all the mass out it would leave a "dent" in my breast. The great thing though was all Pathology reports came in and its all Benign.....PRAISE GOD!!!! My Dr. actually said that when he started slicing open the healing scar that lots and lots of puss came oozing out everywhere. So I ended up haveing a major infection and some fat necrosis. He put in another drain to help get that infection out ...did I mention it was all benign??? YIPPIE I AM SO HAPPY SO RELIEVED. So I am on clindamyacin for 10 days taking 8 every day. SHould get this drain out in the next few days and then off to heal again!!! I am so happy that I was given the chance to stay in the mental fight and NOT in the physical one again. LOVE AND PEACE AND HEALTH AND HEALING GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU STRONG BEAUTIFUL WOMEN..... WHERE EVER YOU ARE IN THIS FIGHT. AS WE ARE ALL STILL CONNECTED> GOD BLESS AND THANKS FOR HELPING ME THROUGH ALL THIS!!!

Lien · 12-06-2008, 05:05 AM

You just made my day!!! Wonderful news!!! I had an abcess in my sentinel node scar too, and it healed beautifully. And you know what, the old internist I saw a few months later, told me that having an infection is often a good thing. It helps clean up any residual cancer cells in the area.

Love

Jacqueline