Hi everyone. I had a WLE only 5 days ago (Grade III invasive ductal carcinoma). Ultra sound and biopsy were two weeks ago. Going to bed tonight I am sure I could feel a new lump just above where the steristrips are. Will phone the surgeon tomorrow and get checked out. Just wondering though whether anyone else has had this experience so soon after surgery - I might just be overreacting? Thanks. Sarah
Hi Sarah
I had a WLE and two further re-excisions in August and September. I have a hard lump under the incision scar and also hard tissue above where the original lump was. I had exactly the same worries as you, and asked the oncologist to examine me. She told me that the lower one is keloid (scar) tissue on the site where the drain was, and the other is the edge of the cavity where breast tissue was removed. She put my mind at rest a bit, but I still keep touching it, and worrying now and then. I will bring it to the attention of the surgeon when I go back for a check in three months. Do get yours checked though - you don’t need any extra anxiety.
Tracey
Am sure this is scar tissue - I was very worried too at first but my husband who is a doctor reassured me and after a couple of months it disappeared. Get it checked for your own peace of mind but I am sure it is nothing to worry about. XX
Not sure what a WLE is. Have had treatment and been on Tamoxifen since May. Had 2nd bone scan in September and a CT scan on my neck about a month ago. Was told that the result was ok and looked better than the first one when the lump appeared. So relaxed about it trying to just get on. Friday evening found 2 more lumps in my neck. I am so scared and anxious, same as you must be.
No surgery as original lump biopsy showed cancer of the bones. Like you I will be on the phone first thing tomorrow morning.
Dear Tracey and Olivia - thank you so much for your reassuring postings. I did phone and tell my surgeon and he said he was certain that what I am feeling is just a result of the surgery as they had to remove a lot of tissue and I am feeling the edge of that space. Anyway I feel reassured and will stop prodding around! - Seeing him on Friday so I can get him to double check then.
Rosebuds - I think your situation sounds a bit different to mine. By the way, a WLE is a wide local excision when just a section of breast tissue is taken (the tumour and healthy tissue around it). I hope that by the time you are reading this you will have bee in touch with your specialist and that they will see you. The worst, worst thing is worrying and not knowing what is going on. Good luck, I will be thinking of you. Sarah x
Hello
I have just come off the phone to the Dr. Rang this mrng and she just rang back.As I have got some IV treatment on the 12th they will see me then!!
It may not sound long to wait to her but I’ve tried to explain my anxiousness. I’m scared it has gone somewhere else.
The Dr has just phoned back and has put me on the beginning of clinic tomorrw at 2pm. How greatful am I!!
Fingers crossed and hope all goes well for you.
Hi Sarah
I know you will get this checked out but it could be oedema. I too thought I had further lumps following my WLE in June. My Oncologist showed me how to massage the scar area gently to help the fluid drain away and it worked a treat.
I also thought I found a mass near my scar from sentinal node biopsy just he other week and again my Onc checked it out and told me it was fluid.
It makes you so paranoid doesn’t it?
All the best
Carly x
Yes it does. I also feel like I’m being over anxious but there was no way I could have waited nearly two weeks.
I’m under the Marsden in Sutton, how bout you.
Take care
Debbie
Hi there. Debbie, do let us know how you get on. So glad they can see you soon. My surgeon phoned this morning as the have the path report back. Turns out I have multi-focal disease as there were three tumours (only seemed to be one on the ultrasound). Of course that made me even more concerned that what I am feeling is another tumour and I did ask whether I could have another ultrasound, for my psychological well being if nothing else! However, he said he thinks if is highly unlikely that it could be another tumour and as I have had so much imaging said to do nothing until I see him on Friday. Anyway, I now know that I definitely have to have chemo, folllowed by radiotherapy and hormones, so I guess I’ll be around these forums for a long time to come! Thanks for all your support everyone, It is incredibly comforting to know that I am with such a great group of fiesty women who care so much for each other. Sarah x
Hi Sarah
Found you on this thread as well!
Sorry to hear that you will probably have to have chemo, radiotherapy etc but if it’s any comfort the drugs are so different now from even when I was first diagnosed (in 1995) and they work it out how much to give you (both chemo and radiotherapy) relating to your height, weight etc.
I’ve had three different types of chemo over the last 12.5 years and they have all been so different and am tolerating the one I’m on at the moment really well so try and keep an open mind as we’re all different and all respond differently to the drugs/treatment.
I get the feeling you’re a strong person when we’ve been posting on the other thread and I’m sending you big hugs for Friday. Let me know what happens…
Love Carol
x
Thanks Carol, and a big hug to you as well! I’ll let you know how I get on! Looking forward to a happy family Christmas now as my son will be flying from UK to Australia (daughter already here for a gap year). Hope to see the oncologist in the next two weeks or so, but not expecting treatment until the new year, as you say with each passing year the treatments become more fine tuned and I am sure imrovements will continue. A cheer for all the researchers out there! Will let you know what happens on Friday! Thanks for your concern - for us all! Just love your “pinkdove” name! Love Sarah
Hi Sarah
I’ve got a confession to make about the name ‘pinkdove’ - I’ve ‘stolen’ it from another cyber space friend (nothing to do with breast cancer!). She lives in New York and her name is pinkdovelady and I really liked the name ‘pinkdove’ so thought I’d use it!
I bet you can’t wait to see your son again! Mine comes home this coming Sunday for a month and it’ll be nice to have him home again (although he’s not as far away as yours!).
Going to do my Christmas cake tomorrow - a lighter version of the traditional one and it’s got ginger wine in it so quite intrigued to know what it tastes like!
Good luck tomorrow.
Love Carol
x
Hello Sarah
Well I saw the Dr on Tues. She seemed to think that because I’d lost some weight I could feel it more. At the time it made sense, so I’m trying not to think about it. She has booked me in for another CT scan on the 18th so they can compare it with the one I had in Oct.
However, it occurred to me a bit later that I’d lost the weight back in August after being very constipated. I remember telling people that the lump had gone. Which was a good sign.
So I’m still going to try not to think about it as my son is home from Cyprus on Tues on Army leave. I don’t think its a good idea to tell him til I know for sure.
I’m sorry to hear your news and hope your treatment goes well. Keep us up to date if your up to it.
Take Care
Debbie x
Dear Debbie and Carol - Glad to hear your sons will soon be home with you, as mine will be. That’s what makes this time of year special. It’s hard, isn’t it Debbie, to know what to say to people who we know will be worried about us. But chances are that your son will pick up that something is worrying you, and that may make him even more anxious. If you feel able just to share with him how you are feeling and that of course you are anxious I am sure we will support you through this time. It kind of gets it “out there” and makes the relationship more honest, you never know what he might tell you!! Anyway, good luck and a big hug. Sarah x
Hi Sarah
Thank for that I can see what you mean. He knows that it has come back in my bones as this was in May. It was difficult. I had my best mate with me and her son is my son’s best mate, so I hoped it made it easier for him to have the support.
He’s like a lot of men, he doesn’t say much but I know he cares. I just didn’t want to worry him this time until I know for sure. I’ll bear in mind what you said and will see how it goes.
Take care and a hug for you too.
Debbie xx
Hi sarah
Had WLE 9 days ago and now have Mastytas. I will get my finale results of the lump on Tuesday 11th. I had no node involvment. I to have both my daughters coming here for christmas (Spain) My eldest daughter arrives on the 16th and my other daughter on the 21st.
What ever the outcome of the results on Tuesday im determined to have a great christmas and try to put this all behind me for adleast a few days.
Hope all goes well and enjoy your time with your children
Love
Lynnex x
Thanks Lynne and Debbie - Have a lovely time with your children, and do keep posting! Sarah x
Hi Sarah
I had WLE 4years ago and constantly find new lumps which have always turned out to be scar tissue (which apparently goes on forming for years). Hope all is well for you xx
Kate
Hi Kate - Thanks for your posting. I’m seeing the surgeon again next week, and he has already told me on the phone that when I was discussed at the multi disciplinary meeting it was generally agreed that because of the multi-focal tumours I had I should have an MRI, and that is fixed for 9th January. So in the meantime I have stopped feeling around and will wait and see what, if anything, shows up! Glad that all your new bumps have been scar tissue. Have a great 2008. Sarah xx