I have a worry, basically I had a lumpectomy back in August amd the surgeon moved some tissue around in my boob to fill the space where the lump had been and also secured some titanium clips. He did this because my scar isn’t over the lump - it is halfway between where the lump was and where my nodes were. Apparently when I have radiotherapy the clips will help the radiographer as usually the scar is the indicator of where the lump is - well this is my understanding!
Anyhow, the area has always felt hard and still does and I’m probably being paranoid, but has anyone else got this? I hate feeling hardness where the lump was - how will I know if a lump has come back if it always feels hard. Is it the clips that are making it feel hard??
I’m due to see my onc on the 4th Jan before my 6th and final FEC - yippee, so will of course ask her then, but in the meantime has anyone else got the same???
ive got a titanium clip in the crater where the tumour was onc sys its so they can fine the site for rads. going for mark up on thurs so should know more then
sue
Hi Sue, thanks for responding. Does your area feel hard at all? Think my clips are quite near the surface and it feels like a hard slab. Good luck for your rads planning - mine is on the 8th Jan.
Al x
hi al just got back from christies been for marking up start rads on 7th jan and theve changed my hormone therapy to letrozole. to be honest im ignoring my left breast at the moment lol
sue
I have the clips and mine feels exactly as you described. I didn’t get chance to mention it when I went to “signing off” visit to onc (3rd Dec) as he was off sick and I just had a very rushed, box-ticking appointment with some other bloke I’d never met before !!
I had WLE on 21/08/09. I keep telling myself the hard slab area is scar tissue. I’d be interested to know if you get any further information.
Hi Anna, we’ve chatted about the clips before!! I feel so much better knowing you feel the same strange hardness - very reassuring. We had our WLE’s on the same day as well. Am seeing Onc on Monday so will let you know what she says.
Al
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I have an hard area of scar tissue around my excision (which was around the nipple). When I had my first post treatment mammogram last year I ended up needing a core biopsy just so the docs could be 100% sure it was scar tissue. The radiographer who did the mammo said at the time that she thought all looked as it should and that I have several clips around the area that was hard, but the doc decided on a core biopsy which really freaked me out at the time. I was just nicely back at work etc etc. Next mammogram due early in the new year and I’m dreading it again. I am still paranoid about the hard area and check it constantly, in rational moments I think it is the same, but in irrational moments convince myself it has altered! Deep joy, oh for a paranoid free life again!!
Yes,
I have clips in, I vaguely remember the surgeon telling me this after my 2nd op ( no clear margins) & he told me he had put clips in to help them locate the bed for my boost. Well , they never used them.
I feel a hard lump there too and mention it every year when I go for mammo, & she tells me its the clips. But it feels so much like the original lump.
Hubby loses his temper and says, she told you that last year, I say but yes, I like reasssurance.
Love Kay
xx
Thanks all - feeling very reassured. Haven’t expressed my worries to my hubby as feel he is burdoned enough. Will report back after I see my onc tomorrow.
I also have the clips in which were needed for my rads. I also have a flat hard area there where the tumour used to be Ifind it hard to check my boob as it has no feeling and it cant feel my fingers checking it.Sometimes whne i am sore i think i cant count and touich the clips individually!!! My surgery was nearly a year ago on the 12jan 09 and its still hard so you are not alone in what you are feeling
Hi gail and everyone. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I saw my onc today and she says it is normal for the area where the clips are to feel hard. She examined me an said it was normal so am quite happy now. She says they
may remove them after rads.