Important update: Your Online Network will be 'Read Only' from 5pm on Wednesday 19 March, This means:
you can search and browse to view public discussions and comments, however you can't sign in, view private group discussions, add new posts, send messages or join private groups (read full details via link) here.
ad.davis@bigpond.com Member Posts: 3 ✭
January 2016 edited August 2016 in Tests, treatments and side effects
Hi
I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in Feb 2015, 13mm IDC grade 2 of left breast, ER * PR positive. Had lumpectomy, 4 chemo and 6 weeks of radiotherapy which finished in August. I thought I was on mend.
Just before xmas, I noticed a slight orange peel effect on my left breast, and some slight pinkness along with tenderness and slightly sore nipple. Went to docs who prescribed antibiotics thinking it may be an infection. Finished 10 day course, but no change apart from slight improvement. So I decided to see my Surgeon on Tuesday for 2nd opinion.
She examined me thoroughly and has now referred me for an urgent mammogram and ultrasound and possible biopsy which I am due to have this afternoon.
I am now obviously very anxious that the cancer may have returned. Surgeon did say it could be lymphedema and a breast infection, and she also has given me another course of antibiotics. Has anyone else been through similar scenario so soon after treatment finishing? I am currently taking tamoxifen and Vitamin D, but very scared that this has all been a waste of time.
At least I am getting it seen to early, I hope!
Thank you in advance,
Dawn
-
iserbrown Member Posts: 5,808 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi! I broke out in a horrendous rash at 11 weeks after mastectomy and was hospitalised for 5 days for intense antibiotic treatment.
Was extremely frustrating and knocked my confidence around.
Our bodies react strangely to trauma
It was one of those unexplained things
Take care
Christine xx
-
TonyaM Member Posts: 2,838 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi Dawn, you poor darl,isn't it awful that we have to face the cancer worry again and again.Your surgeon is onto it and hopefully the tests will reveal what's going on. It could be anything so try to stay neutral.I got cancer back in the same breast 7 yrs after the first diagnosis. That was in 2010 and it was still classed as EBC and I had to have a mastectomy. I've been fine since. So even if it's cancer again,you've got it early. Fingers crossed it's nothing, stay in touch.Big hug,Tonya x
-
ad.davis@bigpond.com Member Posts: 3 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi, there. Got back from mammogram and very thorough ultrasound. All good and normal healing. Radiographer reckons the skin thickening is the side effects from Radiotherapy. I am very relieved but still very tender, so I guess I will see what happens when I see surgeon again in a couple of weeks.
This is the awful thing after going through cancer, I sometimes feel I am walking on eggshells and its constantly on my mind about the risk of it returning. I guess I just need to relax and make sure I try to do do all the things that keep the risk at a minimum.
Thks for your kind words
-
ad.davis@bigpond.com Member Posts: 3 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi there, thanks for the info. Got back from mammogram and ultrasound and all good, so huge relief! They reckoned it is side effects still of raditoherapy and chemo. Just need to wait and see surgeon again to see if any lymphodema in breast.
Thanks for you advice
Dawn xx
-
maryroset1 Member Posts: 240 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hey there.
Everyone reacts differently to treatment. I burnt badly during my radio the texture of the skin is very different now. I have lymphodema too and the boob can be quite tender sometimes but i still massage twice a day.
Great to see you are getting things check always good to be on the ball.
Maryrose
-
Kim R Member Posts: 146 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi Dawn,
thanks for sharing your problem we all need information and to know what to look out for. This journey of BC is a bumpy one and doctors only seem to tell you anything on a need to know basis.
all the best
Kim
-
Ann-Marie Member Posts: 1,113 ✭
January 2016 edited January 2016
Hi Dawn,
My name is Ann-Marie and I am the Online Community Coordinator. I wanted to welcome you to the site and as Tonya mentioned stay in touch and let us know how you go.
~Ann-Marie x
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.6K Newly diagnosed
- 24 COVID-19
- 318 Now what? The highs and lows of survivorship
- 12 Online Community Info
- 702 Metastatic breast cancer
- 8.8K Tests, treatments and side effects
- 1.8K Health and wellbeing
- 1.9K Day to day
- 201 Supporting someone with breast cancer
- 2.1K Community news and events
- 3.8K General discussion
