breast concern after all treatments

christald21

I am hoping that i can get some good advice, or at least where to go to from here.  I understand that everyone is different as is our cancer and treatment and such.  I hope this isn't to long to explain and i will try to make it as short as possible.  I had IDC with her 2 stage 3 A.  I went through all the chemo, the double mascetomy with expanders put in.  Then i had to have radiation.  33 rounds.  I had one expansion before my radiation, then i had one more after my radiation.  I love my reconstruction doctor and he is very good.  He is very knowledgeable when it comes to breast cancer and reconstruction.  After my very last expansion i guess i must of gotten an infection in my right breasts.  I was given antibiotics but after 7 days i broke out from allergy to the sulfa in the antibiotic.  I had to stop the antibiotics.  And then had to recover from my full body hives i had for 7 more days.  Now i am ok, but my right breasts is still causing me trouble.  I have some pain that comes and goes. and it is still red.  I went to my other breast surgeon,  she is the one that did the masectomy.  She looked at me and said that i looked actually good, and she felt my breasts very good.  Keep in mind i only have expanders in right now.  I just don't like how my breast feels and the redness and pain and soreness.  She says its because of the radiation but that was 4 months ago.   I called my reconstruction doctor he says that if i start running a fever with flu like symptoms then i should be concerned and i would need to come in to see him.   I just have a gut feeling though that there is something else going on.  I am concerned about my lymphnode.  They did pull out a .5 centimeter from my sentinal lobe.  That is why i needed the radiation.

 

So am asking if anyone out there has expereinced anything similiar and what did you do.  PLease PLeas respond.  There has been too many times that i write these posts and no one ever replies...  So pLease help!

Teach76

I did not have the experience that you are having.  During my treatment  I only experienced shingles, so I can at least sympathize with you regarding any pain and irritation that you may have.  I hope you can connect with others regarding your present concerns - sending hugs.

 

Kathy

1surfermom

Trust your gut

I did not have expanders so I cannot answer your question directly. But I really feel you should trust your instincts, sometimes when we have

more than one doctor and different opinions they do not see us for the person we are but just look at symptoms. I agree with you about the radiation treatment, that seems like a long time post radiation to have the redness and itching. Sending you positive vibes and hugs. Love Surf

bonbondidit

This happened to me, no expanders though...

Christa,

I am a stage 3a. I had a double mast with 20+ rounds of ACT and 48 rounds of radiation.  I developed the EXACT same sypmtoms as you are talking about and after 8 months of treatment ending I developed an infection in my right skin sparing breast area. It started as a pinkish almost mosquito looking area minus the hive. It ended up being MRSA.  I ended up having to go to the ER because I noticed it was getting hot. By the time I got there it had become a blister or abscess. I had NO idea that I was full of infection.  I kid you not they drained 200 cc's of infection out of me and ran the culture. I had to go through the whole packing it with packing material for 5 weeks only to have 4 more develop and 4 more small surgeries in office while awake to have them drained and the whole packing. It was truly a nightmare! 

TRUST YOUR GUT!!!!!  I had it come back a 6th time this past December in my sternum area. Both radiation onc AND surgeoun denied it was an infection so I went to my general doc. He gave me an antibiotic that CURED me and I didn't have to have surgery that time around.

Best advise I have is to close your eyes and let your hand brush over it. You will notice a temp change between your normal skin and the area of concern if it's infected by the pink area being warmer than the normal skin. This is called a hot spot. I have to check for this on my lymphadema arm as well for cellulitis developing or not. 

I hope this helps - please tackle this ASAP with another doc. I was honest and said I'm looking for a second opinion and that your gut is telling you otherwise.

Hugs -Bonbon

mschaben

Follow your instincts

I am sorry you are having difficulty. I too had expanders and had my exchange surgery with the implants just three months ago. And I am now developing more cording and lymphedemea as well as swelling around right breast area which is my radiated side.  It is frustrating when the doctors say you are fine even though you know your body and the changes. .. Please keep pushing and following your instincts .. We are usually right and it takes time for them to see that sometimes. I can totally relate .. goodluck. prayers  hugs .. 

Mary 

christald21

bonbondidit said:

This happened to me, no expanders though...

Christa,

I am a stage 3a. I had a double mast with 20+ rounds of ACT and 48 rounds of radiation.  I developed the EXACT same sypmtoms as you are talking about and after 8 months of treatment ending I developed an infection in my right skin sparing breast area. It started as a pinkish almost mosquito looking area minus the hive. It ended up being MRSA.  I ended up having to go to the ER because I noticed it was getting hot. By the time I got there it had become a blister or abscess. I had NO idea that I was full of infection.  I kid you not they drained 200 cc's of infection out of me and ran the culture. I had to go through the whole packing it with packing material for 5 weeks only to have 4 more develop and 4 more small surgeries in office while awake to have them drained and the whole packing. It was truly a nightmare! 

TRUST YOUR GUT!!!!!  I had it come back a 6th time this past December in my sternum area. Both radiation onc AND surgeoun denied it was an infection so I went to my general doc. He gave me an antibiotic that CURED me and I didn't have to have surgery that time around.

Best advise I have is to close your eyes and let your hand brush over it. You will notice a temp change between your normal skin and the area of concern if it's infected by the pink area being warmer than the normal skin. This is called a hot spot. I have to check for this on my lymphadema arm as well for cellulitis developing or not. 

I hope this helps - please tackle this ASAP with another doc. I was honest and said I'm looking for a second opinion and that your gut is telling you otherwise.

Hugs -Bonbon

Few more questions

Hi thank you for all your help.  I went and saw my reconstruction doc.  He looked at me. He said the redness I have is exactly where I had radiation.   He is still concerned.  He asked if I wanted him to drain me. We both agreed not to irritate it.  I am waiting through the weekend to see how it feels.   But right now I still have the lightening bolt pain in areas.  It comes and goes.  I am worried.   Because it's a holiday weekend I don't know what to do.   I am thinking of calling my radiation doctor on Tuesday.   Also.  Did you have a fever?   My reconstruction doc says if I am not running a fever or flu like symptoms then it shouldn't be an infection.