Seroma.

[Bajan77]

I had reconstruction followimg bilateral masectomy with expandable implants which were slightly inflated at surgery. Even though implants haven't been inflated since both breast were increasing in size and becoming extremely uncomfortable and this was highlighted on each follow up appt. Oncologist was concerned with size of breast considering they haven't been inflated and the level of pain ive been in so she arranged an urgent ultrasound. Attented yesterday to have excess fluid drained off which gave instant relief at the time. However they have gradually increased in size again over night and im feeling really groggy today.

Radiographer said its not uncommon to have a collection of seroma but generally not the amount i had. My breast consultant seems reluctant to inflate implants and chemo is suppose to start sometime next wk.

This all just feels like a set back and it concerns me as to what the cancer is doing inside with all the delay. There is a concern that a possible lymph node has been left behind as it is palpable and i found another one yesterday which i pointed out to my breast nurse. In the meantime my breast consultant is meant to be arranging an ultrasound to check. Oncologist believes the lymph nodes feel "reactive" yet still they seem to moving at snails pace all of a sudden. Lymph nodes could be reactivate as a response to the cancer or because of surgery. Lymph nodes nearby were removed so my concern is these are possibly cancerous too and multiplying as the cancer is aggressive. Its playing on my mind constantly. The team has been extremely good so far but this is my life and i dont want things to go a miss. I feel like a pest when i have to be the one chasing and requesting things to be done.

Im in the medical field myself and i know this doesnt help. But my mind is running wild even though im trying to be positive.

[Lainey66]

Hi there, try not to worry. I know that is not easy to do. I had a bilateral mastectomy in Jan. I finished nine months of chemo about five weeks ago and 25 sessions of radiotherapy three weeks ago. I did not opt for reconstruction. I still get saromas that make my skin so tight and uncomfortable. I had the last draining about six weeks ago. I can feel it tightening again and will go to breast clinc in a few weeks for a draining. I worry like you as i had triple neg breast cancer. I do worry that the cancer is still in the fluid as i had my lymph nodes removed as they were all cancerous too. Its not easy. I distract myself by reading, painting and doing as much of things i like as i can. Im currently holidaying with my family in London. Try to focus on other things. I had drains in for six week post op then weekly drainings for 4 subsequent weeks... then it was July. So it does reduce down for some of us it is slower than others. Wishing you a full recovery. Lainey66

[Bajan77 in reply to Lainey66]

Lainey66 Thanks for your response. U can definitely relate to what im goimg through. Im a total bag of worries. So having them drained frequently didnt have an impact on when you were having chemo?? Seems as if they're delaying chemo because of this cos they still havent given me a date and my breast nurse said yesterday they were awaiting results of ultrasound before giving me a date to start.

Enjoy your family holiday and thanks for taking time out to respond.

[Jennymary in reply to Lainey66]

Hi Lainey, hope you are enjoying your holiday wishing you many more over the next few years x

[Lainey66 in reply to Jennymary]

Thank you Jennymary xxxx

[Hidden]

I have had so many worrying moments when I think there is something wrong again and, after scans etc all had been well. Of course I have had it the other way when there was a problem but my oncologist seems to know what he is doing and I put my trust in him. Please don't feel like a pest - it is your life and, sometimes, we have to be a bit forceful. Like you I was in the medical field and our minds play overtime! It is no good me saying try not to worry but try and keep your mind busy with other things. Hope you get sorted soon xx

[Bajan77 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that Hidden . I think ive made my concerns alot clearer now. Been told to call back on monday morning and will definitely be doing so. Just feels like they're not following through what they say they're gonna do n ive gotta keep reminding them. Im aware they have loads of other patients to deal with but I'd hate for something to go miss due to their error and delay. Another reason is my consultant isnt around all d the time so theres a waiting process when realistically she only a phone call away as they've said but dont seem to be making the call.. Surely its not that difficult or is anxiety getting the better of me.

Anxious impatient patient 🙈