Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerAsked by anonymous
Stage 0 PatientI developed a seroma quickly after surgery. I continued to feel pressure in the surgical scar. A few months after surgery I there was a visible swelling in the scare. I had an ultrasound that found the seroma. I then raised it with my Breast Surgeon who explained around 40% of women ended up with...
I developed a seroma quickly after surgery. I continued to feel pressure in the surgical scar. A few months after surgery I there was a visible swelling in the scare. I had an ultrasound that found the seroma. I then raised it with my Breast Surgeon who explained around 40% of women ended up with seromas - a pertinent medical fact I thought should have been mentioned prior to surgery but about which I will not make a fuss because he did a great job. The seroma was most uncomfortable around six months after surgery. I am 16 months post surgery now and it is uncomfortable occasionally only. I suspect this is hormonally and fluid dependent. I am normally not brilliant at healing after getting a cut, scratch etc so I have been pleasantly surprised at how little trouble the seroma is these days. I was offered a needle aspiration by my GP around the time the seroma was at its most intense however he warned me that having the fluid drawn out can make some seromas fill faster and bigger, so making it worse and also said any needle into flesh carries a risk of infection into my surgical scar. He felt most seromas spontaneously regress of their own accord especially those like mine that are not toughly encapsulated. Weighing up the pros and cons I elected not to aspirate.It has been shrinking away to almost nothing these past 6 months. I'm therefore glad I left it alone. My seroma was classified as small. If it was a large one and more incapacitating I may have made a different decision.
I had a small seroma that would swell and reduce over and over again. I finally had my surgeon aspirate the fluid out once and that seemed to help the pocket heal and close up. Depending on how large yours is, you may be able to have the same done for you.
1 comment 1Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerI too have had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. If you had your major operation six weeks ago, I am wondering if your have still have your 'expanders' in place or has your surgeon already given you your final breast implants. My surgeon did it in stages in order to expand my...
I too have had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. If you had your major operation six weeks ago, I am wondering if your have still have your 'expanders' in place or has your surgeon already given you your final breast implants. My surgeon did it in stages in order to expand my pectoralis muscles so that my implants would fit in a final surgery. Regardless, I think you should visit your doctor for a follow up in order to have your breast looked at. Before you worry too much though, consider that it could just be some fluid, post operation, that did not drain. One of my friends had that happen and the surgeon opted to drain the excess fluid so that her breast would then continue to heal properly. This was not difficult for her to recover from and was an in-office procedure. My very best to you, dear.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerYes, Erin's right. Any changes in your breast should be checked out ASAP. You always want to err on the side of caution. Best wishes to you.
Comment 1Could be an affected lymph node. I have breast cancer which spread to nodes. Call and have it checked out. The doctors are very aggressive w breast concerns!
Comment 1Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerI had leg swelling at the end also, put your feet up and stay strong it's almost over!
Comment 1Yes! It became worse and worse. Weight fluctuates seven pounds or more within hours. I will have my sixth and last treatment this Wednesday. From the fourth on, I started to swell up in the second week of recovery. Steroids helped calm my body down. Using Lasix doesn't seem to help very much. I...
Yes! It became worse and worse. Weight fluctuates seven pounds or more within hours. I will have my sixth and last treatment this Wednesday. From the fourth on, I started to swell up in the second week of recovery. Steroids helped calm my body down. Using Lasix doesn't seem to help very much. I feel like a memory foam mattress.
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2B PatientI sure did! I finished chemo in March and my hands, calves, and feet continued to swell for at least 2 months, off and on. It drove me crazy! I told my kids I had "cankles" (calves/ankles) because there was no difference between them! My doc gave me Lasix but it didn't really do much good. ...
I sure did! I finished chemo in March and my hands, calves, and feet continued to swell for at least 2 months, off and on. It drove me crazy! I told my kids I had "cankles" (calves/ankles) because there was no difference between them! My doc gave me Lasix but it didn't really do much good. It has slowly gone away and yours likely will, too. I've been told it can take a year for all this stuff to go away. I just lost my right big toenail last night! Go figure.
I was stage 2B on the right and stage 1 on the left. But I'm not getting herceptin. After my radiation is done (have only had 2 treatments of 28) I have to take Femera for five years. I was HER negative and estrogen positive and I had a double mastectomy first. And I am 67 which is not letting...
I was stage 2B on the right and stage 1 on the left. But I'm not getting herceptin. After my radiation is done (have only had 2 treatments of 28) I have to take Femera for five years. I was HER negative and estrogen positive and I had a double mastectomy first. And I am 67 which is not letting the side effects go away quickly. I guess I am too anxo
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerThis is again, another situation where you need a face to face talk asap with your oncologist, or radiologist, etc. (specialist) for a translation. I would be having a lot of questions. You will probably have several more tests before you have the entire picture. Again, I am surprised when the...
This is again, another situation where you need a face to face talk asap with your oncologist, or radiologist, etc. (specialist) for a translation. I would be having a lot of questions. You will probably have several more tests before you have the entire picture. Again, I am surprised when the patient is given their test results and no sit-down time with a doctor to explain it all. (This is my rant for the medical world.... why do they do that???) The poor patient is left in absolute terror and trying to get some answers via a board. I have total and absolute empathy for this situation. I would be trying to get an appointment asap. I also had an inverted nipple and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. There are plenty of us here to help support you through your treatment. Hang in there, please keep us posted. Positive hugs to you. Take care, Sharon
I agree Sharon. My oncologist wouldn't even let me read my pathology report without explaining first. Nobody on this board is really qualified, unless a MD, to say what stage a cancer is. Everyone's cancer is different and a bunch of medical terminology looked up on the Internet is terrifying....
I agree Sharon. My oncologist wouldn't even let me read my pathology report without explaining first. Nobody on this board is really qualified, unless a MD, to say what stage a cancer is. Everyone's cancer is different and a bunch of medical terminology looked up on the Internet is terrifying. My sister in laws report looked scary before her dr explained it to her, she is fine. Lumpectomy n radiation. Mine sounded far worse n ended up being stage 1, very very small tumor. Talk to your oncologist, get second opinions and try not to freak out. I know that is hard, but it won't change what already is. Take care, be strong n these boards are great.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Canceri've had it on and off since I ended treatment in March. No magic solution. I have taken the occasional Lasix and keep my feet propped up as much as possible. It has decreased, and should continue to do so, over time. But I have cankles (calf/ankles)!
Comment 2I had feet/ankle swelling all through chemo and since my last treatment on 4/5. I use compression (support) hose to control the swelling when I'm going to be on my feet for a length of time. I found Lasix works if I take for longer than 1-2 days. Also try to keep elevated as much as possible....
I had feet/ankle swelling all through chemo and since my last treatment on 4/5. I use compression (support) hose to control the swelling when I'm going to be on my feet for a length of time. I found Lasix works if I take for longer than 1-2 days. Also try to keep elevated as much as possible. If they are really swollen...'toes above the nose'...it works!
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerI don't know about common, but I had the same thing. I too took Lasix, and it definitely will make you have to pee frequently. Try to keep your legs elevated as much as possible, and preferably above the level of your heart. So I would prop my legs on 3 pillows on an ottoman. I worked well.
Comment 0I am on the same treatment. I am about to start my third cycle, and I have the exact same symptoms. My Onc put me on a diuretic. She said it was the steroids causing the edema. I try to limit my salt intake, and elevate my feet as much as I can, but they are still swollen, one more than the...
I am on the same treatment. I am about to start my third cycle, and I have the exact same symptoms. My Onc put me on a diuretic. She said it was the steroids causing the edema. I try to limit my salt intake, and elevate my feet as much as I can, but they are still swollen, one more than the other. This is not normal for me so I was concerned. I would mention it to your Oncologist and see what He or She says and limit your sodium intake and elevate your feet. :)
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerHi Lydia, Call your doctor. Better safe than sorry. JO
4 comments 0You should see your doctor so that you can have peace of mind. However, the swollen gland you feel could be a swollen lymph node, a result of the infection.
1 comment 0
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