What is going on with my breast???

[Sammie4258]

Okay, so Sunday around 2: p.m. I was getting into the shower and happened to look into the mirror and low and behold my breast was purple, red and the blood veins were purple with large buised looking things all over my breast and going up into my neck. Dimples.  I am thinking peod-orange.   It was not like that when I got up that morning. No fever, so infection not probable.  Has this happend to anyone after radiation or lumpectomies or chemo this far out in their treatment.  We are talking almost 2 years after treatment and all of a sudden bam, here it is in just hours. Massive breast discoloration. Okay, talked to dr. and he said no to peod orange.  No to infection.  In fact, he is puzzled.  Has anyone ever had this happen to them this far after treatment?  

[gail602]

ths Gail, Iwas glad to read this .things are hard,still griving over brother. i got to have surgery again.t love sister. please send me a note to my profile thats the oly way i know how to get your messages,
                                                         God bless,
                                                                   prays out for u gail

[Sammie4258]

regarding what is going on with my breast.  
the answer is>>>>>>>>A rare case of radiation recall and side effects of surgery along with Perio vascular dermatology. (excited nerve endings due to  stress)   Who would have  guessed.  I no longer freak over it.  

[gail602]

glad to here it's ok .I been worred about you .I'll keep you in my prays.
                                                  God be with you.   you friend gail

[Sammie4258]

I am not sure how to explain Radiation recall but as for now, the discoloration and heat is subsiding.  It was just a very strange and rare case and no one should worry about it to much.  The doctor is not to worried about it so I'm not going to stress to much over it.  My brother went on lifesupport last week an prognosis is not good so I have much more serious things to worry about right now.  
Take care   tami

[healingwell62]

Phew!!!! One big exhalation.  So what is radiation recall and what do they do about it?  

Glad you are ok.

Warmly,

Chris
Healingwell62
Breast Cancer Community Leader

[Sammie4258]

the doctor concluded that I was not normal :o)    and that this is a very rare strange case of radiation recall that they have never ever seen before.  So good news for now.  sammie

[Sammie4258]

Thank you Chris,
We don't know what is going on.  the radiation oncologist and regular oncologist are completely baffled.  They have never seen anything like this. WE did an MRI of both breasts.  The MRI was normal as for as not seeing any cancer.  However, there is a possiblity I have developed a skin cancer from the radiation (radiation carcinoma).  This would be rare but it can happen but usually doesn't happen until 7 to 20 years down the road. So, in my case, it would be an even more rare situation. It is possible that a second type of breast cancer like inflammatory breast cancer might be making an appearance but too soon to know.  So the plan is to give it a month and see if it clears up on its own.  If not, they are going to do several skin biopsies all over my breast and on the right side of my back because it showed up there as well. IT will either be negative or positive.  If positive, we will remove the breast.  If negative, we are chalking it up to a very rare case of radiation recall and delayed surgery effects from a lumpectomy 3 months ago which also was benign.  It does seem to be lessening but not going away.  If it is radiation recall, it's possible it may never go away.  It could be permanent scarring.   Anyhows, I am not going to worry too much about it  until a month from now.

sooooo,   A very great man once told me that it is always wise to "prepare for the worst but hope for the best".  So that is what I am doing. Thank you so much for  your kind words and for thinking of me.  It's nice to know we have friends on Medhelp.  
Take care
Tami

[healingwell62]

Hi Tami,

I hope your new breast issue turns out ok.  That must have been so startling!  I'm so sorry that happened.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Let us know how you are doing!

Warmly,

Chris

[Sammie4258]

Thank you.   YOu are so sweet.  You are you doing today.  Must be pretty sore.  If you develop gastroparesis down the road, we need to talk.  Don't panick.  It just means your stomach doesn't empty as well as it should.   So you just change your diet a little.  But can happen when you have stomach surgery or the type of surgery we have had.  
take care and love ya  tami

[gail602]

I'm so sorry about your breast cancer. You are a great person hon. I wish I could be more like you, with that personalty of yours.  I"ll remenber you in my prayers .
                                                                                                                                                                                                                May God be with you!
                                                                                     Ilove like my sister already
                                                                                                              Gail

[Sammie4258]

Thank you for responding. The Radiation Oncologist is really baffled.  He doesn't think it is radiation recall but can't say for sure.  THe surgeon who did the lumpectomy 3 months ago, feels it is radiation recall and effects of surgery.  no infection.  THe Internal Dr. says no to infection and thinks radiation recall.  
It is just so bizarre.  I did go in for a Breast MRI on Wednesday so I guess we will have to see what that says.  I see the oncologist in 2 weeks.  Maybe he will have some input.
IF it is a hemotoma or bloodclot in the breast, will it disolve or would I need treatment to take care of it???It really does have everyone baffled.  
Thank you again for responding.  I am very grateful.  
Sammie

[PaulMD]

Hi.

I believe that it is very hard to pin these recent acute events on your previous treatment, knowing that it has been two years.  From what you have described, this may be a hematoma or blood clot formation in the breasts, but I'm not sure about the exact cause either.

I think that this would require a formal examination by your doctor and possibly have some tests on blood coagulation, and imaging studies of the breast (such as MRI or ultrasound).  A cancer recurrence may also be considered to present this way, but it may be still too early to tell.

Regards and God bless.