hi ann so pleased you are feeling ok I was surprised at how good I felt, tired but good.In the old days they would of kept you in hospital for a fortnight, yes will let you know how I go with the stick on boob, manwhile have lotsof rest and dont do anything strenous, yes it was a shock after 18 years but just goes to show you can never be sure no matter how long you go and as you say at least we are still here so lets make the most of it.take care and best wishes for a speedy recovery love suzan x
Hi I never thought I would be researching recurrence as I was so confident in the chemo and radiotherapy I had ,but just had a shock as a new doctor saw my scar for the first time and told me the appearance was worrying.My other doctors have seen it regularly but didn’t suggest any further action needed.I got an emergency appointment in one week !!She said I need a biopsy,which no one else had suggested.I had my operation a year ago but keep getting infections in the wound.
Hi hlaura13
Sorry to hear you are having problems, did you have a mastectomy or wle.
I am sure you have read this thread so will not bore you with details, the biopsy I found was painless, and they told me straight away what they thought. The fact that you have early detection must be good news. Don’t forget to ask for further tests i.e. ct scans bone scans, any scans, to put your mind at ease.
Best wishes
Ann
Hi Ann ,
thanks for your comments.I was a bit discouraged as I have felt so well recently ,the first time since this time last year really.So when I heard the word Biopsy I thought "here we go again !"I am concerned maybe the repeated inflammation may be caused by cancerous cells.I had a mastectomy ,which was already infected when the dressings were removed for the first time.I also have food allergies and if I accidentally eat anything with milk in it I get kind of boils in different parts of the body,so maybe the wound infection is related to that.
Since waiting a week the infection has died down so now there is very little left to show the doctor!!!Hopefully he will listen to the fact that this inflammation keeps coming back and agree to do a biopsy.
If he doesn’t want to do a biopsy I will go to a private hospital to get a second opinion.The infection also triggered lymphoedema,only early stages and hopefully still reversible.A friend advised me that I have to be more demanding when dealing with the hospital!
Hi Laura
The fact that it appears and disappears must be good, I don’t think recurrences disappear. You should for your own peace of mind insist on a biopsy. Have you checked for anything rubbing or catching on the area, if it is on the scar line could it be a bit of suture still in that area, although most sutures are dissolvable. Is underwear catching, is you prostheses fitting properly, are you allergic to the material used? Any other things you can think of, maybe make a diary of what happened when it started and when it seems to abate.
I understand exactly how you feel as i am waiting for results myself. You just have to get on as normal and keep positive thoughts in your head, easy to say I know, but try and do things to spoil yourself.
Best wishes
Ann
thanks Ann for your reply,you made a good point,if it was a recurrence it would progress,not come and go.A friend also suggested that I keep going to the same surgeon for check ups (as I have been seeing different doctors each time in the hospital,)that way he will know what my scar looks like over time and recognise if anything is wrong.It means going private just for these check ups but I think its worth it (I am British living in Malaysia and the health system here is relatively good for cancer but is also quite overloaded.
good luck with your test results
Helen
Hi again
As your doc probably sees hundreds of patients before he sees you again, would a photograph be a possibility.
What a lovely place to live.
Sorry to keep coming up with these ideas, but off sick at moment from op,although I feel well, have no energy so am spending too much thinking how to solve probems lol
Best wishes
Ann
good idea Ann,it would be easy to do too ,just use my phone camera.I must ask my kids how to download photos then if my phone dies on me I won’t lose them.Thanks for your input,it really helps.We have a breast cancer support group but because of my kids schedule I am not free when they meet,so I love this website.
Hi
Well results are in. What a shock, cancer in 3 areas one being 1"in size, 2 near original site and one behind nipple. Nobody felt a lump in my breast nothing on the mamo, I’m just so glad my surgeon acted on instinct, what a star she is.Waiting for an appointment to see onc now, but it seems no chemo for now. Think champagne is in order.
Best wishes to all
Ann