Bilateral Mystectomy

[Mlizzy]

I had a lumpectomy 4/9/04 (day before my 40th birthday) performed on my left breast. During the procedure they found DCIS cells in the milk ducts.  I had 8 weeks of chemo starting March/04 and ending September/04.  On 11/4/04 I had a bilateral mystectomy immediately followed by the tramflap procedure. I relocated in August 2005 and have not been under a doctor's care due to insurance issues. I have been experiencing sensations in my breast that are occassionally painful. It is always around the scar tissue. Also it is at the area that I lay on when I sleep on my side at night. Sometimes my bra irritate me so much that I have to remove it and that will give me some relief. My stomach also seems to be tight at times when I eat or do something strenuous.  There is a hard lump that was there after surgery that the doctor said would eventually soften but it hasn't. My left baby finger and ring finger are still somewhat numb which I was told would go away also. This was like this after I woke up from surgery.

Are these normal symptoms to be expected?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Mlizzy, Symptoms need to be put into context of the whole clinical picture for the individual.  It is best to have a follow up examination so your symptoms can be evaluted through history and physical examination.

[healthcareguerilla]

You can get care through your area Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program.  Unfortunately, these programs go by different names depending on where you live.  Healthy Women's Partnership is another.  But if you call a hospital that has a breast care center, they can direct you.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000 provides screening, and treatment for women who are uninsured/underinsured and do not have an income greater than 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  This is NOT just a screening program.  And NOT just for poor women.  Don't let anyone tell you that.  

Also, you can go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contactlist.asp for contact information.  I'm not happy with the extraordinarily limited information provided there.  You'd be better off looking up Breast and Cervical Cancer with your State name.

You had a lot done for a diagnosis of DCIS, based on what you write. You may also want to get ahold of Susan Love's Breast Book.  Also, get Susun Weed's, Breast Cancer? Breast Health!

The numbness in your pinky and ring finger also need to be checked out.  And your poor stomach. I know how frightening all this can be.  Get in touch with the BCCCP folks now and go from there. I am so sorry you have had to go through all this.

Also - if a bra irritates you, do go without.  Do assert your righ to get these things resolved in your mind, and body -- use whatever helpful sources there are.