Breast reconstruction necrosis

Joany57

Hi Everyone! Ya know, I just realized as I'm typing this, that even having/had breast cancer I'm still struggling for the right words to say to all you brave, wonderful people. Even though there are times I know we certainly don't believe or feel brave and wonderful. I've also come to learn that there is no "normal" way to feel. It's individual for each of us and can change through out our life.

I had a mastectomy on my right breast 11 months ago. I have been on Anastrozole. I haven't had any major problems and truthfully I felt strong and brave through it all, until now. I had a breast cancer scare a few weeks ago, but thank God it wasn't cancer. I felt a suspicious thickening/mound in my recontructed breast. It was a Friday when I saw my plastic surgeon and he said he wanted me to get an ultrasound the following week, he looked and sounded concerned. I felt panicked with so much fear and anxiety. I didn't feel that way with my breast cancer. Maybe a delayed reaction that didn't happen the first time. I didn't say much about it. I kept most of my feelings to myself. To make a long story short, I saw my radiologist a week later. He did an ultrasound and mammogram. I panicked, I was horrified that they wanted to do a mammogram on my reconstructed breast. It wasn't vanity, it was just pure fear. It turned out to be fat necrosis, which I had never heard of. 

I live daily with a looming fear over me with this lump, that feels an awful like my cancer did. Even though the Dr. said it was not cancer, I still have this disturbing, firm mound in my breast and a small hard ball. 

Can anyone relate to this? Does anyone have this? 

Be well,

Joany

Teach76

Radiation?

Hi, Joany

thank you for sharing your story here.  I had a partial and 6 weeks of radiation.  When I first felt the hardening lump, I too panicked and was sure the beast had returned.  Upon having a mammo and US I, too, was told it is just fat necrosis.  When my radiation was finished, the doctor told me to expect the hardening.  I thought after 3 months I would have maxed out.  What I found out a year after my treatment was over is that the necrosis can continue to build for a few years!  This is one area that I would have liked someone to have explained better when my treatment was over.  It seems that where the radiation was most concentrated, that is where I feel the most necrosis.  Continue getting each test . . . I think that is the only way we can have our minds at ease.

   Over a year after surgery I also felt a lump where the lymph node was removed.  My oncologist also felt it.  Another US and. . . Necrosis is forming there, too.

You did not say if you had radiation or not.  I think even if you did not, the necrosis is the body’s way of compensating.  My surgeon also said that the area where my tumor settled was “filling in”.

Blessings!

Kathy

Joany57

Teach76 said:

Radiation?

Hi, Joany

thank you for sharing your story here.  I had a partial and 6 weeks of radiation.  When I first felt the hardening lump, I too panicked and was sure the beast had returned.  Upon having a mammo and US I, too, was told it is just fat necrosis.  When my radiation was finished, the doctor told me to expect the hardening.  I thought after 3 months I would have maxed out.  What I found out a year after my treatment was over is that the necrosis can continue to build for a few years!  This is one area that I would have liked someone to have explained better when my treatment was over.  It seems that where the radiation was most concentrated, that is where I feel the most necrosis.  Continue getting each test . . . I think that is the only way we can have our minds at ease.

   Over a year after surgery I also felt a lump where the lymph node was removed.  My oncologist also felt it.  Another US and. . . Necrosis is forming there, too.

You did not say if you had radiation or not.  I think even if you did not, the necrosis is the body’s way of compensating.  My surgeon also said that the area where my tumor settled was “filling in”.

Blessings!

Kathy

Necrosis

Hi Kathy,

Being I chose to have breast reconstruction, radiation was never an option for me. Also, my oncotype test score was low so chemo was not recommended for me. My only treatment is the Anastrozole. The necrosis is a good size and my breast aren't big. I can feel it there even when I'm not actually touching it, just moving my body. It's uncomfortable and feels like it's growing and pushing/stretching my skin. My radiologist said that I'm "fifty shades of great". lol I guess I have to keep reminding myself of that and continue getting screened as you said. 

Thanks for your response. It's good to talk to someone who has it too. I hope things continue to go well for you inspite of the necrosis.

Joany

sunshine_64

Fat Necrosis Issues

I just went through a similar scene: lump growing, Mammogram showed an oil cyst (which they used synonymously with the label fat necrosis--I think they are trying to avoid the word necrosis), but no one thought it was a big deal - until I realized it was indeed growing and causing some pain. I just had it aspirated yesterday (very uneventful, took about 15 minutes), but then learned that it will most likely return - they do not know how long it will take. Without surgery to take out the outer sack holding the fat cells, the body just keeps filling it up. No one ever mentioned this possibility to me, which would have been helpful. It's the one thing I have to complain about in my treatment: no one informs you about which post-treatment side-effects are more or less likely and you have to live with the anxiety of a lump until you can get it diagnosed.

france756

Right breast infection

I saw my plastic surgeon for breast expanders surgery.  He said my right breast looked possibly infected and I may have to redo the right breast again for surgery if the redness does not clear up. I asked for an antibiotic to treat it and the nurse said no possible necrosis. Now I could not believe I was left to deal with this issue. I learned about a poultice with black mission dried figs, raw honey, vinegar and some flour boiled. I'm doing better on skin. Its less blotchy and red, it appears to be healing.  I see my plastic suregeon again for a follow up.

Apaugh

Prayers going up

such awful painful sounding experiences.  I am so sorry your all going through this.  Hugs and prayers going up for you all.

Annie