Sudden swelling and pain in the breast

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NJMom10
NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
in Breast Cancer #1
I finished chemo 2/1/11. Had a lumpectomy on 3/2/11. And finished radiation 6/8/11. My breast was starting to soften up a little and not hurt a as the weeks wore on. But this weekend, I noticed swelling and hardness all over. Is is normal for the breast to swell and harden off and on? Anyone else experience this? I am seeing the onc tommorrow for a check up and the breast surgeon and radiation oncs next week for followups.

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  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #2
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    I had mastectomies so cannot
    I had mastectomies so cannot answer to the on and off. But it is good you are seeing the doc tomorrow or I would suggest it. You might have some type of infection that is "simmering". I hope this clears up soon!
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #3
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    scar tissue
    Surgery and radiation will cause scar tissue. I don't know if it would be sudden on set, but it has not been that long since radiation. Good to see the doc though. Probably normal, but always good to check it out.
    Cindy
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #4
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    mamolady said:

    scar tissue
    Surgery and radiation will cause scar tissue. I don't know if it would be sudden on set, but it has not been that long since radiation. Good to see the doc though. Probably normal, but always good to check it out.
    Cindy

    I have swelling and scar tissue
    from my lumpectomy. There is a big dense area where the lumpectomy was--sort of the size of a flattened out plum. The swelling seems to be always around in various degrees. I am 18 months post-op, over 12 months post chemo and rads. Everytime I show my surgeon he just says "hmmm!" and never seems to think it is abnormal. I have a feeling this is my "new normal."

    Good luck.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #5
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    mamolady said:

    scar tissue
    Surgery and radiation will cause scar tissue. I don't know if it would be sudden on set, but it has not been that long since radiation. Good to see the doc though. Probably normal, but always good to check it out.
    Cindy

    Glad you are seeing your
    Glad you are seeing your doctor. Let us know what he says!


    Good luck,

    Sue :)
  • NJMom10
    NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
    #6
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    Ritzy said:

    Glad you are seeing your
    Glad you are seeing your doctor. Let us know what he says!


    Good luck,

    Sue :)

    Turns out to be an nasty infection
    Well I was sitting in the oncologists office yesterday just about to post a complaint about he never reacts to anything just like Ritzy's surgeon, and they called me in before I got to post it. Which is a good thing because this time Mr. "Never Reacts to Anything I Say" flipped out a little in reaction to seeing my breast. It was very swollen and red, a little warm to the touch and I didn't feel well ('cos I thought I had the same virus my husband had been suffering from for a week). Anyway, he did an exam, called in the nurse to check it and take my temperature, which was normal, and then sent me immediately to the pharmacy to get antibiotics which I had to start asap and stuff an entire days worth of doses into about 9 hours! I'm supposed to call him in 3 days if if doesn't get better and then... happy, happy, joy, joy... he will admit me to the hospital. So, the lesson is, if you think it's a problem, it probably should be checked out.

    I'm really hoping it gets better because I already missed some parties last weekend because I felt so lousy and this weekend I have plans to go out to dinner and see a show in NYC. I don't take very well to missing out on plans anymore as I pretty much missed all of the holiday celebrations this past year due to chemo treatments. I feel like I was robbed of Christmas! Just moaning now. Thanks for your help ladies. Barbara
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #7
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    NJMom10 said:

    Turns out to be an nasty infection
    Well I was sitting in the oncologists office yesterday just about to post a complaint about he never reacts to anything just like Ritzy's surgeon, and they called me in before I got to post it. Which is a good thing because this time Mr. "Never Reacts to Anything I Say" flipped out a little in reaction to seeing my breast. It was very swollen and red, a little warm to the touch and I didn't feel well ('cos I thought I had the same virus my husband had been suffering from for a week). Anyway, he did an exam, called in the nurse to check it and take my temperature, which was normal, and then sent me immediately to the pharmacy to get antibiotics which I had to start asap and stuff an entire days worth of doses into about 9 hours! I'm supposed to call him in 3 days if if doesn't get better and then... happy, happy, joy, joy... he will admit me to the hospital. So, the lesson is, if you think it's a problem, it probably should be checked out.

    I'm really hoping it gets better because I already missed some parties last weekend because I felt so lousy and this weekend I have plans to go out to dinner and see a show in NYC. I don't take very well to missing out on plans anymore as I pretty much missed all of the holiday celebrations this past year due to chemo treatments. I feel like I was robbed of Christmas! Just moaning now. Thanks for your help ladies. Barbara

    Hoping the antibiotics work
    Hoping the antibiotics work fast and well for you!


    Lex

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