Did you have a recurrence that appeared on top of breast?

BethInAz said:

Skin recurrence
Janelle,
I have not had this recurrence; however, I asked my surgeon at my 3 month check what this would look like and he described the appearance as pencil erasers on the skin. He said it would be very obvious and occurs in only 2-4% of cases. Are you having concerns? If so, best to have it checked out. Have an acquaintance in our town who had recurrence twice at her scar site. She's had followup treatment and is currently cancer free according to petscan. Always best to check it out and be safe than sorry!
Beth

CarrWilson said:

Dimpling
Hi Janelle -

I did not have a recurrance, but my original diagnosis was with skin involvement. (In fact, that was the only way it was caught, clear mammo 8/2009, hubby noticed the dimpling approximately 2 months later). Under my breast were three slight indentations, or dimpling. Not sure what the skin it will look like post mastectomy.

I agree with Megan, if anything does not look or feel right it definately needs to be checked out. Here is to thinking positive, and no recurrances!

- Carrie

Different Ballgame said:

Hi Elm
You will know quickly. If it is an infection, it will go away. If there is no improvement, get a biospy immediately.

My recurrence came back on the scar. It was red but not a dark red. It was shaped somewhat oval. Plastic surgeon thought it was an irritation to the stiches beneath the scar, which is what I thought it was also. When I told him that I thought it was growing, he then wondered 50% if it was the irritation or 50% if it was cancer.

Best wishes to you and let's hope that it is an infeciton.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

Different Ballgame said:

Thank You For Responding
My gut has told me to not let this wait till June 8. I am sure that it is nothing. However, I have underplayed too many times (I'm too postive)- only to learn otherwise.

Today I decided that I am not going to wait for 6 month check up with the oncologist surgeon which is June 8. I zapped e-mail to both oncologost surgeon and plastic surgeon. I want them to discuss what I have stated in my e-mail as I want the plastic surgeon to do the surgery. I am sure that the growth is free of cancer. It is extremely tiny, tiny, tiny, tiny but when I look at it in the 7X magnification mirror, I don't like how it looks. Looking at it with normal eyes, it looks like nothing.

I had a recurrence on the scar of the cancerous breast - October 1, 2009. I watched it and touched it for months, never dreaming that it was cancer. When I saw plastic surgeon for annual breast reconstruction visit in October I showed it to him. I thought it was an irritation to the stitches underneath the skin. He removed it and had it tested. Outcome: Invasive carcinoma.

For some reason this new growth reminds me of the growth of the recurrence found in October - even though it does not look like the cancerous growth. I am not certain that this present growth is the growth that I showed to the oncologist surgeon in November 2009. He looked at it then and said that it was OK. This could be the same one or it could be a new one.

From this day forward I will record all growths on my skin - Baseline for Skin Growths.

All of you are absolutely correct. Do not hesitate. Assume nothing.

You told what I knew to do. You just reconfirmed it with me. I did not want to appear foolish but now have decided, so what if I am foolish. Check it out.

Hugs,
Janelle

Different Ballgame said:

Scheduled for Surgery
Both my oncologist surgeon and plastic surgeon are good friends. Since this growth is so tiny and is on a flat piece of skin, I asked that the plastic surgeon remove it in his office. It will be biospied. Both doctors are in agreement.

Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. It probably will take longer to freeze than to do the actual surgery because the growth is so tiny.

Here I go again!! I hope that I am wrong and that it is nothing.

Janelle

New Flower said:

Janelle
Good luck on Thursday!. I will be thinking of you!
New Flower

Different Ballgame said:

Scheduled for Surgery
Both my oncologist surgeon and plastic surgeon are good friends. Since this growth is so tiny and is on a flat piece of skin, I asked that the plastic surgeon remove it in his office. It will be biospied. Both doctors are in agreement.

Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. It probably will take longer to freeze than to do the actual surgery because the growth is so tiny.

Here I go again!! I hope that I am wrong and that it is nothing.

Janelle

Different Ballgame said:

Good News
Today at 9:10 a.m. (Chicago time) I was told that the biospy was fine - no cancer on the left reconstructed breast (which was my good breast that never had cancer).

It is a bright, sunny day in Chicago and it matches my spirits. Hope you all have an equally great day today.

Thank you for caring. You all brougt me good luck.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle