Breast Cancer

I have a very long medical history since November 2015 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast.  I had an mri in early 2016 which should suspicious areas in right breast per the biopsy that was done in November of 2015.  There were some areas in left breast but they did not think any cancer.  I had genetic testing due to strong family history.  I came back with positive TP53.  I had a right mastectomy with expander placement in March 2016 due to multiple areas in right breast and I was loosing nipple also.  It could not be saved.  I had 6 lymph nodes under right arm removed and no cancer showed in them  I did not have any Chemo or radiation because of TP53.  I went back to work in May of 2016.  In late August I started experience what I did in right breast with it spontaneous leaking a dark blue fluid from my nipple and sometimes it was bloody.  I was taking Tomixfen.  I went back to see my Breast Surgeon and just requested to have a left mastectomy which the Tumor Board did not want me to do.  They wanted to biopsy first which with my persistence my surgeon agreed to do the left mastectomy and I had left expander placed all of this done in October of 2016.  The breast did come back also positive for dcis in nipple and very high up towards under arm.  No lymph nodes were removed because surgery was considered prophylactic in the beginning.  Saw oncologist and she didn’t feel anything needed to be done but to see gyn because I had a area on the outside of my uterus so gyn choose to due a total hysterectomy in Nov of 2016.  I had only one ovary anyway.  Right ovary was removed several years before.  When I went back to see my oncologist after Hysterectomy she said I no longer needed to take the Tamoxifen.  Also I didn’t say this but early on in my First Cancer diagnosis had to see a hematologist and go thru several testing because something was wrong with my blood which I had always my whole life had bleeding issues.  Turns out I have a platelet granular defect.  I have half the number of playlets someone should have.  Every time I have anything invasive or surgery I have to get platelets.  In January of 2017 my expanders were removed and both my implants were placed.  I did fairly well till about February 2017 when I developed an pseudomonas infection in left breast.  To make a long story short I had 4 more surgeries on left side and lost 2 implants from Feb thru April.  I started with infectious disease doctor and had a picline placed in late April 2017 and had home I’ve for over a month.  I at the present time have no implant or expander on left side.  They have watched an area on my left side that has decreased in size.  They call it a plegmon.  A lot of times it is sore and causes me discomfort.  My lymph nodes swell under that arm and on the left side of my groin.  They have ultrasound the area on my left side at the breast center and said they feel it is stable.  This is also the place that never saw any of my cancer.  I have a very distinct odor daily that never goes away under my left arm and I have mentioned that before.  No one seems to be concerned about this.  I have also since all of this developed some Neurological problems and I am being treated for that.  My concerns all along was that I still had cancer in the lymph nodes under my left arm but can’t seem to get anyone to listen to me or take my concerns to heart.  I don’t know what too do.  I do have medical insurance   

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    Hi Connie,

    A very warm welcome to Cancer Chat on your first visit to the forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis and to discover that your diagnosis and treatment has not been plain sailing. I have had two bouts of breast cancer. The first was 7½ years ago and the second was 6½ years ago. The first time I had a lumpectomy, but the second time I had a double mastectomy.

    I also have a family history of cancer. I lost both parents to it, but cannot go back to previous generations, because my mother was adopted. Her mother died shortly after she was born, whether due to childbirth issues or cancer, we’re not sure. My cancer is mucinous, a rare type of cancer, which only 1% of people seem to get. Because it is not a very aggressive form, the medical profession do not seem to worry about it too much and, just tend to treat it in line with some of the more common forms. I have always attended for routine mammograms, but nothing showed up. I discovered both lumps myself when I was in the bath.

    The first time I went for surgery I had a lumpectomy and 6 lymph nodes removed, but all were clear. The second time I had a double mastectomy. The surgeon tried to take a few nodes from my other armpit, but in the event, he only removed fatty tissue. He was reluctant to remove too much tissue in case it led to lymphoedema. Sadly, I later developed lymphoedema in both arms despite this caution.

    I did not have chemo or radiation due to administrative errors – but that’s a long story. The first time I took Tamoxifen for a year and the second I changed over to Letrozole, which I took for 6 years. I just finished taking this last July. I didn’t worry about reconstruction, as this was out of the question , due to previous surgery for other medical conditions. Are you still hoping to have both implants, or have you given up on this idea? If you do have to give up on this at any time, I am only too happy to tell you my experience, as life really is possible with a selection of prostheses for different occasions.

    I have developed Diabetes since I started on my cancer journey and developed a lot of side-effects to medication, for example, musculo-skeletal problems and neurological upsets to name but 2. It can sometimes be difficult to get some of your care team to actually listen to what you are saying and to pay attention to what is actually worrying you. Do you attend your appointments on your own? I always take my hubby with me and, between appointments, we draw up a list of questions which we want to speak to the consultant about. Whilst I am asking these questions, my hubby writes down the answers. Many of us do this, as it is so easy to forget pertinent questions during your consultation. We also only retain a small percentage of the conversation during our appointments, so this is much easier to cope with. It also means that if I highlight a problem that I am worried about and it is ignored, my hubby can highlight that I am having real concerns about that particular problem and it is sometimes then given the priority it merits.

    Failing this you could always ask to have a quiet word with your breast care nurse who would be duty bound to bring this before your consultant. The other option might be to ask your GP if he can do anything to help with the odour. You could also ask him what his opinion is of the nodes that you are worried about. If he feels that there is a problem, then he would refer you back to the clinic for further investigation.

    I do hope that you get somewhere with this soon. Don’t delay in contacting someone about this. It is your body and nobody knows it better than you, so if you feel that something is wrong, chances are that you are right. Sometimes we just have to stick our necks out to ensure that we are heard.

    If you still feel that you are getting nowhere, then you still have your private insurance to fall back on.

    Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you, whenever you want to talk.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Thank you so much Jolamine for your answers and just listening too me.  Yes my husband goes with me to all my appointments and yes we do right down things.  My memory is not very good.  Due to the cancer the medications the infections and many surgeries I have developed Parkinson’s plus syndrome.  They feel I would have developed anyway maybe 15 to 20 years down the road instead of now.  I am 52 years old and hopefully with the medication it will slow things down.  I have an excellent Neurological team.  Connie

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    Hi Connie,

    I am so glad to hear that you hubby accompanies you to all of your appointments. I know that my memory and concentration have been badly affected by the medication that I’ve been taking, so I find it very helpful to have someone with me.

    How are you coping with the Parkinson’s? Between this and your hysterectomy, you have had a pretty rough ride. People don’t always appreciate the other problems that appear along with the cancer. I sincerely hope that the medication slows things down for you.

    You are fortunate to have a good neurological team, as this can be difficult to find. I hope that you manage to get the problem with your lymph nodes sorted and can then move on for another while.

    Stay strong,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi ConnieRC,

     

    I hope you don't mind me reaching out to you .. I have also been diagnosed with the TP53 mutation. 
    This came about when I was diagnosed with stage 2 inflammatory breast cancer. I was genetically tested as there was no family history of cancer in my family and I was 29 at the time of diagnoses. 
     

    I think we all expected the BRCA result, but turns out I had the TP53 Mutation. I am also HER2+ and de nova. My professor said in all her medical experience she has only ever seen one other woman with this combination. 
     

    I just wanted to see how you are getting on? Please feel free to send me a message whenever :). One of the nurses spotted my original post about radiotherapy and put me through to your post :) 

     

    take care of yourself.

    Jodie xx