Breast Pain Left Side

[4thecure]

I had IDC in my left breast with lymph nodes removed.  Cancer had gone into the nodes but I was a Stage 2.  I had chemo and radiation followed by the 5 year pill Aromasin.  I went to my Oncologist the other day and explained some of the symptoms I was having and he ordered (3) vials of blood and an echo gram.  I went and had that done yesterday.  While laying on my left side I experienced a lot of pain where she was taking all the pictures.  I have no idea what she saw except I could see a little bump where she was taking the pictures?  Any idea what this might mean?  I am a little worried because heart disease does run in my family.  I also don't understand the pain I was feeling at the time.  My breast is still painful and the bottom side of my left breast still feels like a grapefruit skin so to speak.  Has anyone else experienced this?  I guess I am asking 2 questions instead of 1 but it all is connected if you know what I mean.  I am not one for the right words but I hope you understand what I am trying to say.  Any help on this would really be appreciated.  I posted this earlier this morning but it didn't go through?  
Thank you and Bless all of us that is going through cancer.
forthecure

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
I understand what you are feeling now.  
Continuity of care is of paramount importance in cancer patients.  The role of the medical oncologist does not end with the last session of chemotherapy.  Surveillance after chemotherapy or any other treatment modality employed is necessary, not only to detect recurrence early, but also diagnose potential late side effects of treatment.  Should there be a need for a referral to a specialist, it should be done after an initial evaluation by the treating physician.
I’m not sure of the hospital policy where you are being treated.  Maybe your oncologist was just following that hospital policy on referral system, or maybe he’s not.  If you feel that you need to change your present oncologist, you may do so.  
Regards    

[4thecure]

Hi,
I just returned home from my follow-up with the test results for my echo and blood samples!  Wow, I am really very greatful to report that my heart is good.  No real problems there.  The only problem I had was with my Oncologist.  He said that he could not find anything wrong with me and that I should be seeing my MD istead of him (a cancer doctor)?  Wow, I guess I was taking up his precious time since I am cancer free now?  My last chemo was 10 months ago and I thought I should see him if I thought I was having side effects from that or the radiation.  Was I wrong to go to him because of what I explained in my earlier posts?  He said he never heard of anyone ever that has had the needle and pin problem especially when I take a shower and the water is to warm and brings it on?  He said he takes his kids or calls there doctor when they are sick.  I told him that I was not sick and I thought I should be going to him instead of an MD?  I don't understand why he is treating me this way now?  He said he could send me to a neurologist that would stick pins all over me and make me hurt more and cost me more money if I wanted.....wow!  Am I being treated unfairly or am I just way off base?
I also asked him if I could double my effexor med because I was under a lot of stress and feeling more depressed and he said to ask my MD.  Well....my MD did not prescribe
the effexor he did.  I told him that too and he said..."well I guess you could'!  Should a patient like me (or was) change Oncologist?  Do people do that after they have been treated my an Oncologist through there therapy?  I am really devistated by all of this and I am totally in shock.  No words can explain the way I felt when I walked out of there.
If you or anyone else has any advise...I would love to hear how you would feel and handle this?
Thank you,
4thecure

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
The symptoms you are experiencing may be the side effects of taking aromasin.  I agree with what you did, telling your doctor the symptoms you are experiencing while taking the drug.  
Cardiac toxicity can be a side effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.  There are certain chemotherapy drugs that are cardiotoxic when the ceiling dose is reached.  An example would be the drug doxorubicin.  
Please do post the result of your laboratory examinations.
Good luck.  

[4thecure]

The systems are mainly from the aromasin like joint pain.  The rest is just being tired all the time and all I do on the weekends when I'm off work is sleep.  I used to be very hyper and active and now all I want to do is lay around and sleep. What is Cardiac toxicity?  Is that like the chemicals from the chemo affecting my heart?  Would that explain a little lump that was found in the echo?  It looked like the size of a small grape?  That is the best way I can explain it.  Thank you for your response, I really appreciate it.  I will find out what my Oncologist says on Tuesday but I am anxious to find out something before hand so I kind of know what to expect.  I don't really feel any lumps in my breast.  It just feels real heavy on the bottom and rough like a grapefruit.  It feel kind of hard in the middle of it too.  Once again,  Thank You!
4thecure

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
What exactly are the symptoms you are experiencing?  Can you feel any lump in your breast?
I think you are being worked-up either for a possible recurrence or a possible heart problem, or both.  
The echocardiogram would rule in/out the presence of a heart problem.  You had chemotherapy and radiation before on your left breast.  Cardiac toxicity can be a complication of treatment.
Regards