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ad_davis's avatar
ad_davis
Member
10 years ago

Lymphedema/breast infection/Inflammatory Breast cancer

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

lymphoedema

7 Replies

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  • Ann-Marie's avatar
    Ann-Marie
    Member
    10 years ago

    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

  • Kim_R's avatar
    Kim_R
    Member
    10 years ago

    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

  • maryroset1's avatar
    maryroset1
    Member
    10 years ago

    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 

  • ad_davis's avatar
    ad_davis
    Member
    10 years ago

    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

  • ad_davis's avatar
    ad_davis
    Member
    10 years ago

    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 :)

     

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    10 years ago

    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

  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    10 years ago

    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