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Q: I had ERP breast cancer last summer. I have noticed in the last few months that my neck very swollen. now have been running fever last 3 days.up to 104 last night. finally down to 100.5 today.
Jodi, first of all, I'm unfamiliar with ERP breast cancer - could you tell me what the initials stand for?
Running a fever doesn't signal a cancer recurrence. It sounds very much like an infection of some kind. The fact that your neck has been swollen for awhile seems to indicate that this might have been building slowly. If your PCP won't pay any attention to you, perhaps you need to go to the emergency room. Or, since most of us seem to have a pretty good relationship with our oncologists, why not call him/her to report these symptoms? S/he should be able to reassure you as to recurrence, plus perhaps suggest a plan of action or even suggest a new PCP. Hope you feel better soon - PJH
Jodi, if you're worried about recurrence, you might ask about tamoxifen - millions of women have taken it with good results. Femara supposedly works slightly better, but tamoxifen would be better than nothing, right? Have you spoken to your onco about it? And - better luck with your next PCP! PJH
I will be seeing him in November and have all the scans again unless the new primary thinks I should see him sooner. Isn't there alot of side effects from that too?
Jodi, I'm surprised you're having scans - I was stage 2B, with lymph node involvement, and never had any screening scans, only when there was a problem. Yes, it's not good to get too many scans - excessive amounts of radiation do increase your risk of cancer. Ask if you really need those scans, OK? PJH
ok, I will. I found a new primary today and she spent alot of time with me. She did find a tiny nodule of something in my lymth gland in my neck and to contact my onch doc about that. But my fever was caused by severe gastritis and kidney infection.There is a large amount of blood in my urine. She put me on bactrum and I see her in 3 weeks to see id the blood and infection is better. I am hoping that will fix it. Thanks for your help PJ. I appeiciate it! jodi
my cat scans showed alot of areas of swollen lymth nodes in my chest and the new doc ordered a pet scan of the whole body.that week I had a severe kiney infection. my fever went up to 104.I was put on an antibiotic and my high fever went down.one concerning thing, this new dr. is very concerned about these lit up areas I had that seem to be spreading. My mri looked like light bulbs in my chest. He is just an internest but is very thorugh and seems to be very caring and takes a lot of time with his patients. He thinks that I should have more chest nodes taken out of my sternum and lungs and they could have missed something. In the meantime, I usually feel awful as usual and I am having throat spasms and increased swelling in my neck.THe doc said it was from all the active nodes in my chest.we will see after the pet scan what is shows.I don't want it to be cancer. I just want to find out what is causing all these symptoms. I finally have a crew of good drs...primary as well as many specialist. I feel that I need to keep on top of things though so they take good care of my medical needs.
It was about a year since my breast surgery. I notice in that same breast,a fine bumpy rash down the side of that breast, below and around the incition It feels like a fine rash,rough to the touch.It is not on the nipples though so should I be concerned? thanks guys, It helps so much to have someone to talk to about thes things.....jodi
Jodi, I'm glad you like your new doctor, and he seems to be treating all these symptoms seriously. I hope those "lit up" nodes turn out to be nothing more than swollen lymph nodes from your kidney infection.
With the breast change you describe (rough skin), it's now time to get your oncologist involved in an active way, too. Any time you notice a change in your breast, you need to report it to your oncologist. So give him/her a call, OK? S/he might want to check you out before your appointment in November. Best of luck to you - and thanks for connecting. We're here to help - PJH
yes, I am so glad to find a very good primary. He wants to see me every one or two weeks until we get these issues resolved! Actually, these nodes were lit up last year. This dr. wanted the cat scans because my wbs count was so high it was off the roof. So he was so alarmed, he ordered cat scans on everthing. He though my kidney must be in bad shape as I had a ton of blood in my urine. I had two weeks of antibiotics before the cat scan and so the kidneys were ok but then he saw the swollen lymph nodes in my chest. He said if the infection was causing them to swell up, then the antibiotics should have taken the selling down. I am thinking they might still think it is granulomous disease but if it is, it is spreading everywhere. The pet scan is today. nothing by mouth after eight but water.....
If I contiue to have this rough skin, I wil call my onch. dr. I think I will wait just a few days to get this pet scan report back so he can look at that. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for the help! jjodi
Good luck, Jodi - please keep in touch. PJH
I just came home from my pet scan. I saw one of the nurses and she felt of the rash I told you about. You can't actually see it but it feels like fine sandpaper. I have an oppointment there to see the head of radiology about it in a couple days to see what he thinks. It is an hours drive to see my onchologist where this place is five minutes away. Now, hopefully the pet scan doesn't show anything. thanks again for your advise and quick reply. It always helps! jodi
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thanks pj. I meant estrogen / progesteron receptive positive breast cancer. stage 1...no lympth node involvement.....lumpectomy, radiation, no chemo,I could not take the femara longer than six months..I am going to a new primary doc today..the other one still won't call me back..she has time to clollect the money from my insurance company but not to actually do something for her patient. That is frustrating! thanks again for you input. It always eases my mind......jodi