Emergency referral

A couple of weeks ago , I had horrendous pain in my right breast, did not think much of it. I then started to have a sore bleeding nipple and very flaky skin around the nipple area. I was in a lot of pain so I made a appointment to see my gap who was truly amazing. She tried to examine me but had no luck as every time she tried to examine me I was crying. She said she thought it was a infection so gave me antibiotics and cream. My right breast was also boiling hot and she said it looked different to my left one. She made  appointment for me to come back 3 days later .. I went back to see her 3 days later and there was no improvement she put me on more antibiotics made me another appointment for a week later and said if no improvement she would refer me. I finished work and collapsed as I was really poorly and could not go back to work the next day as I was felt so unwell. I rested then went back to see the doctor and she said I am referring you as your right breast is still hot and felt there was still different to left one. She also felt a lump near my armpit. I have my appointment come through but I have so much paperwork to fill in. I am so scared, my partner looks worried but keeps trying to not show it. What do I do to cope with it as I don’t want to feel this way. Plus I just don’t sleep as it’s on my mind, plus I thought the infection had gone but it’s still there. 

  •  

    Oh Clara,

    I feel for you. Pain of any sort is bad enough, but when it reaches this level and is recurrent, would you not consider surgery to get rid of it once and for all?

    I have had a lumpectomy and a year later, I had a double mastectomy. Both are quite 'doable'. In fact I found my mastectomies were easier to cope with than my lumpectomy.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Joline,

    Well I read a woman`s blog on her breast abcess journey. To be honest it swayed me against surgery and to qoute her as saying she was left mutilated and bitterly regretted having the surgery as it was not the end of her problems. Its not the scarring that concerns me but more the ongoing problems if you know vwhat I mean.

    Having said that if (heaven forbid) it occurs again I will have to rethink my options. Im getting too old to put up with pain for starters.

     

    Kind regards xx

  •  

    Hi Clara,

    Don't be put off by one bad story. For every bad one there are at least 20 good ones. I have found that my breast that has had both the lumpectomy and mastectomy, doesn't look great. The other breast has only had a mammogram and it looks ok. I attended a nuse specialist, who did some myofascial release to ease some of the scarring in my original breast and, that has made a huge difference.

    I couldn't have reconstruction, due to previous non-cancer related surgery on the donor sites, and have lymphoedema in both arms since. This is the only problem I have had in the 9 years since I first had surgery.

    I hope for your sake that you never have a recurrence, but if you do, don't let this turn you off.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine,

    I seem to have given you a new name in my last post. Typo sorry!

    I knew a woman in a very similar situation with lymphoedema,she had a nurse that was trained in lymph massage but she was so busy it was hard to get an appointment with her, she said she was amazing.

    My friend in USA had a double mastectomy more than 20yrs ago her sister went for elective surgery. Neither of them have had any lymph drainage problems. Is that just luck? She also lost no hair during chemo.

    My daughter has surgery next week lumpectomy. She is playing it down though. Same day  that I get my histology results. Sorry if Ive previously mentioned. I lose track so easily.

     

    Kind regards keep well xx

     

  •  

    Hi Clara,

    Don't worry about the new name - I'll answer to anything. Yes it can entail a long wait for an appointment with the specialist nurse, but it is worth the wait. I had keloid scarring on my tummy as a result of an open cholesystectomy 21 years ago. At the time I was relieved of a 3 inch gallstone - like 2 golf balls welded together, so I wasn't overly worried about the scarring. When my nurse noticed this she offered to try and reduce that too and, what a difference she made. This would suggest to me that it doesn't really matter how long after surgery you have this treatment, it still seems to work.

    I think that it is just bad luck as to who gets lymphoedema. I did everything I was told to do after surgery. I had a prophylactic mastectomy on one side and, this was the side that swelled up most. I have been informed that it shouldn't have swollen up at all, as there were no lymph nodes taken from that side. I didn't have any chemo, so cannot make any comparison with your friend on this one.

    I hadn't realised that your daughter is going through this at the same time as you. You must be frantic, even though she is laid back about it. What type of breast cancer does she have? I always worry that this might happen to my daughter one day too.

    I hope that all goes well for both of you next week. Don't forget to let us know how you both get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Shinyjewels.

    I came across your posting on another thread.

    I just wanted to tell you I am so sorry to read of your diagnosis,and to wish you all the best on your journey.

     

    Stay strong and take care of yourself. xxx

  • Hi Jolamine

    She doesnt have a cancer diagnosis yet(Ihope never). She had a neg biopsy last year with a very unpleasant consultant. She seen another Doc last month as the lump had grown considerably and was causing pain he decided to operate (today) it has been sent to pathology and she will get results at her next appt.

    I got best news yet today, I`ve to have no radiotherapy. Consultant was very happy with histopathology results. I went into Tesco and filled my trolley with anything I fancied,not sure if that was my best idea as I will now have to watch my weight. Hmm

     

    Kind regards xx

  •  

    Hi Clara,

    I hope that all went well for your daughter today and, have my fingers crossed for her pathology results.

    Your own results today must have been very welcome. Are you to have any further treatment or, is it just a case of wait and see what happens?

    I hope that you enjoy the goodies in your trolley - you deserve this after all you've been through.
    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Shinyjewels,

    I haven't seen anything about your clinic visit and, was just wondering how you got on?

    I hope that all went well for you and, that you had no further cancellations!

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  •  

    Hi Catlady,

    We haven't heard from you for a while and, we were wondering if you are ok? I hope that your infection has settled by now and that you are feeling a lot better.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx