new to site worried about lumps under scar tissue

Hi I am new to this site although I was diagnosed in May with a grade 3 12mm lump, 2/22 lymph nodes pos for cancer. Have finished 3 FEC and am due second Docataxel tomorrow. I am so sad to be joining all you ladies here, but am so pleased that there are people out there to talk to. I would be interested to hear from anyone who is at the same stage as me, particularly if they are being treated at Basingstoke. Also, I have noticed a couple of lumps on /under my scar tissue where I had lymph nodes removed. Haven’t noticed them before, but rest of scar is flat. Has anyone else experienced this- I am terrified that the cancer has returned already. I will be seeing my onc tomorrow so will ask her, just need reassurance I think

Haven’t experienced this slinky but please make sure you mention it…hopefully it’ll be nothing sinister but it’s worth getting it checked out.
It’s still early days for you and worrying is the norm unfortunately…I’m now 2 1/2 years on from diagnosis and find I worry far less than I did.
Please let us know how you get on.
Claire x

Hi there

I also have a little soft lump on my scar under my arm. I had a mastectomy and had 1/22 positive node Feb this year. The lump was more obvious after my 5th chemo. Had it checked by onc who didnt think it was suspicious. A friend of mine who had similar story said hers was a knot from a stitch with scar tissue around it. Any lumps will give us a scare no matter what anyones says. Im just going to check on mine all the time and if it gets any bigger back to the doctors. But I dont think it is anything. (hope) It’ll be interesting to see if anyone else has the same thing.
Lyn x

Hi
Thanks for your replies Claire and Lyn, I’m sure I am panicking a bit, at least I hope so - just it was all such a shock to start with as you know and everything seemed to be going so well with the treatment. Hey ho! still I know I mustn’t worry - it won’t achieve anything. I will speak to my onc about it tomorrow and will let you know what she says. At what stage re you with your treatment Lyn and how are things going?
Juliex

Hi Julie

Finished 6 treatments of EC chemo 6 weeks ago for grade 1, 19mm invasive lobular cancer. Hair very slight covering. although leg hair come back very strong!! Typical. No radiotherapy. To discuss reconstruction next year. Went back to work today for the first time since end of January.Didnt do anything really except discuss me with various people.
I spend a lot of time telling my poor OH all my fears etc and Im amazed he hasnt cracked up yet. It is a horrible time and I thought Id never stop feeling so anxious all the time. So Ive moved froward slightly and Im sure you will as well.
Lynx

Great to hear that you are moving forward and for your words of encouragement Lyn. It is such a difficult time and the only thing that is getting me through is my faith as a Christian and the support of my lovely family and friends. It seemed such a long slog back in May but it is going quite quickly I am glad to say and I will be pleased when all the chemo has finished and I can move on to the radiotherapy - just another step along the way. I know it is very difficult for my OH who is not a man who generally shows a great deal of emotion. He has tried to be really supportive, but I know he is very scared of what the future may hold. often think I worry more for him than I do for myself. I must stop now as time is ticking on. I will try and post tomorrow and let you know what the onc said about the lumps, hope it will be good news

Julie x

Hi Julie I too was diagnosed in May, I had lumpectomy 30 June and Mastectomy 21 July, this week had 3rd chemo I don’t feel too bad. I found a lump near the scar tissue and mentioned it to my onc who said she thought it was scar tissue we will keep an eye on it. So try not to worry too much, but be sure to mention it, take care junieliz

Hi Julie,
As I was reading through this thread I noticed that you spoke of the encouragement that your faith had been to you.
Did you know that there is a prayer thread on the site? it is tucked away in chit chat and fun but I have posted the link below.
Its a great place to share prayer needs, answers to prayers and encourage others.
M x

breastcancercare.org.uk/bcc-forum/discussion/10885/24/prayers/#Item_8

Hi Julie

I had a non palpable 2 cm idc, stage and grade 2, with 3/18 lymph nodes positive. Had lumpectomy, total axillary removal, 6 x FEc and 25 rads. I have two small hard lumps in my armpit, around the scar for the node removal…hate to even wash/dry there. Hair still hasn’t come back there, or other armpit funnily enough, although it is 5 yrs since dx. I did get small cysts there initially, which my Onc loved to “pop”, but he said it was due to the lymph node surgery. I also have lumps under the aureole, where the tumour was, but think this is also scar tissue.

I hope your Onc has put your mind to rest and the lumps are indeed scar tissue.
Liz.

Hi Julie
Just a thought - you spoke of getting to know others around Basingstoke - there is a thread about Hampshire, which you may have already found, but if not the link is below.
I think there is someone on the thread from Basingstoke.

breastcancercare.org.uk/bcc-forum/discussion/19351/

Hi Ladies,
Thank you so much for your replies to my concerns. Seems I was getting over worried as my onc seems to think that one lump is simply as you said,Lyn, a knot from a stitch with scar tissue around it. She said she really couldn’t feel the other one, only my rib so goodness knows what I thought I could feel- must begoing mad!!! Anyway she put my mind at rest as she said it is most unusual for cancer to reoccur so soon whilst undergoing treatment. She also checked my breast and collar bone for lumps which put my mind at rest. One piece of good news as well - I thought I was going to have 20-25 sessions of rads but because I am only small busted I will only need 15, so that is great.
Thanks junieliz for your reply and I hope your treatment continues to progress well.
Thanks Magsi for the links to the other threads. I didn’t know about them so will go and have a look in a mo. Are you a Christian as well?
Thanks lizzie c for your reply. It is reassuring that your lumps were perfectly innocent and it is good to hear that you have made it to the 5 year mark - may you have many more years ahead of you, and all the other ladies on this site too. Thankyou for your reassurance and for not thinking I am completely paranoid!!

Julie X

Great news

Youre OH will be relieved as well.

Youre definatley not paranoid. Ive got a slight cough from a cold last week thats not going as quick as I thought it should. Of course Im thinking the worse!! but I know it’ll be due to the chemo etc but I wont be happy till thats gone and then there will be something new after that!! So youre not alone.

Take care

Lynx

Hi Julie
Its a hard journey isn’t it when we encounter bc and perhaps more so when the children have left home or are moving out and we are getting ready for a life which is less stressful and more time and freedom to do other things.
Its almost as difficult as a Christian in that there is still a human side to us with emotions worries and fears and yet all the wonderful promises in the bible. Sometimes its hard to reconcile the two.
The day after my first scan, back in November when I was told there was a strong possibility that it was cancer, I found myself singing along to ‘Blessed be the name’ Matt Redman with tears running down my face.
Is your OH a Christian, mine is but also a man who doesn’t show a great deal of emotion. I think the most encouraging thing he said was that less women die of bc now than in the 70’s - but that did show that he was concerned and had been doing some research.
How many more chemo sessions have you got? - let me know when etc, as I am more than happy to pray for you at those times, likewise when you get to rads. If you want you can returrn the favour in November when I have got a mammogram, the first since the one that showed the bc. It will be almost a year to the day and so i will probably be feeling rather fragile then.
Keep in touch Julie
God bless
M x