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Regina's avatar
Regina
New member
7 hours ago

DCIS - Mastectomy - Recon - clear for two years....now potentially something else

My situation in a brief paragraph: At 50 years of age, I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and recon. Sentinel nodes were clear. No radio or chemo required. That was almost two years ago. Apart from now suffering all the typical effects and symptoms of menopause due to no HRT, I've been blessed with a dream run and fantastic road to full recovery from BC. Completely grateful and thankful for the team and support I've had around me. 

The latest situation is that I've just been for my second annual post BC ultrasound with a view to reducing visits with my surgeon from three monthly to annually. I was looking forward to kissing cancer goodbye!! However, the sonographer has found an inflamed and vascular looking lymph node in my right armpit (opposite side to original BC diagnosis).  It was explained to me that this can be due to a number of reasons: fighting off an infection, breathing in smoke, recent flu vaccinations or, at worst, something more sinister like cancer. My surgeon reviewed this and wants another ultrasound in three months to check on it and if need be, will biopsy then....I have a sick feeling about this.

Since I don't feel like I'm fighting an infection, I haven't breathed in smoke lately & my flu vax was done 10 weeks ago in the opposite arm .... I am feeling extremely anxious that cancer has returned and that it's found a spot in my right armpit to grow and spread. A three month wait to see if this is or isn't the case seems like absolute torture and a return to 'the waiting game' that only cancer sufferers know. 

I'm sure that most of you reading this post can relate to the worry of 'the wait' when you have that initial cancer diagnosis. The awful feeling of being out of control and the unknown picture of what's up ahead. Sleeplessness has returned. Constantly thinking about it has returned. The worry has returned. I have back and neck pain that I'm sure is due to the stress, but am naturally concerned it's cancer returned. Since my mastectomy and recon, I've been able to put all of that aside - until now. 

Has anyone here experienced a vascular anomaly with their lymph nodes post having BC and recon? If so, what was it attributed to? How was it handled by your team? Should I be asking for a lymph biopsy or intervention earlier than waiting three months or am I worrying unnecessarily? 

I'd be grateful for any thoughts, honest advice or similar experiences & decisions that anyone can offer. 

anxiety
biopsy
breast reconstruction
lymph nodes
mastectomy
Reconstruction
surgery
treatment decisions

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  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    6 hours ago

    That's a real bummer Regina​  ..... Fingers & toes crossed that it IS just an infection/inflammation!  (Even a common cold/flu or dose of covid could cause inflammation - even some medications apparently!)

    Remember back when you were young & Drs would always run their fingers over the back of your ears & down your throat whenever you had a consultation - they were just checking the lymph glands, for inflammation.   

    Hmmm, tho if it was me, I think I'd be trying to get it checked out earlier than 3 months time ..... cos the waiting (as you know) just SUCKS - and your mind will just go off on a tangent - as any cancer diagnosis just mucks with your mind, even more than your body (evidenced by your loss of sleep :(  )   

    Maybe ring our helpline tomorrow 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) to have a chat ... they may be able to help with your decision making xx

    Also, Consider checking out Charlotte Tottman's podcasts on her own BC cancer story - she is a specialist cancer psychologist who was diagnosed herself with BC and had a double mastectomy, choosing to remain flat.   She 'thought' she knew what most of the 'procedure' would be - so was really surprised when she had similar reactions to her own clients ... and she talks about it, what she expected vs what happened.  She is very easy to listen to - You can just listen to individual sessions, or just start at the 1st one & work your way thru.  xx   
    What You Don't Know Until You Do ....
    http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html

    Take care & all the best .... and stay away from Dr Google!! xx