Hi PJ,

First I have to say thank you for posting your information on Fear. Thank was so timly and so much appericated.

Now to my question, I hope you can help me, or may know of someone else who has had this problem. Since I had my first breast cancer surgery back in July 2008, my skin has been going throught major changes (breaking out). They are little red bumps and they hurt, so I went to my doctor thinking that maybe it was the cancer coming back (Fear). But after he checked them out, he assured me that it was not and that I was cancer free since the double mascetomy. So I worked very hard at trying to get them under control. Well, right as they were begainning to look better and fade away. I had the second part of my reconstruction surgery. And would you beleive it the skin break out came back, this time only face and chest. Maybe because I had already made come changes, like difference fabric softener, languary soap, etc. My daughter keep telling me that she think it is hormonal, what do you think? And do you know of anyone else who had gone through this. I have changed my make-up to all mineral, that's seems to help a lot. Then my boy-friend said that he thinks that it is my body just trying to get use to the implants. I would greatly appreciate hearing what you are anyone else out there has to say on the subject.

Thank you again,

Stepaheda

PJ Hamel

1/12/09 1:44pm

Gosh, Stepaheda, could it have something to do with the surgery itself? Perhaps the anesthesia (local or general); the iodine or other pre-surgery cleansing agents they use... something that could produce a systemic reaction. Or, what kind of reconstruction have you had? If it's implants, perhaps you're reacting to them, and the second time around, the reaction isn't as great because you've built up some immunity? Is your doctor able to give you any insight on this? - PJH

stepaheda

1/12/09 2:45pm

Thank you PJ,

You might be right, I am learning how to get control of it little by little. But the condition is far from gone. And, as to my doctor he does not have a clue, as to what is causeing it. He just said it is not cancer coming back. But thank you for your insight.

Have a great day, and keep those post coming!

1stepaheda

PJ-

I loved reading your post on fear.  Thank you for sharing your feelings in such a way that I could truly relate to.  When I was first diagnosed I was "shocked and sad", and I was afraid of the unknown.  I had my bilat mastectomy and found out that I had another mass with 1.1cm of invasive cancer , this was larger than the original o.14cm that I found.  I have been feeling fearful lately.  I have fear that the cancer could still be in me hiding and just waiting to rear it's ugly head, but your post made me realize that it is no way to live  Thank you!!!!!!

PJ Hamel

1/12/09 10:00pm

Glad you're feeling better, Rae. Same thing happened to me - at first they said, "Oh, tiny little tumor, no problem, jus a few mm," then they got in there and found a 1.6cm tumor - completely hidden. Couldn't see it on a mammogram, couldn't feel it. Cancer can be sneaky sometimes. But you're doing everything you can to hold it at bay. Have faith in the healthcare professionals - they know what they're doing, and their goal is to eradicate your cancer. So very many of us have cancer, then move on and put it behind us; just another part of life. We go on LIVING - you will, too. Best of luck - PJH