I'm numb,on my way to see surgeon

amelia said:

Sue, wish i could have caught you before you went out the door. I also found a small lump after chemo and radiation. It was under my arm where they had removed lymph nodes. We decided it was just scar tissue. that was several months ago and it has not grown. My Mother in law had the same problem after her masectomy and they did surgery and found out it was just a lymph node doing what they are suposed to do. Hope all is well and you are in my prayers, Amelia

I know this has been a difficult morning for you and wish we all could have caught you before you got out the door. Perhaps we could have eased your mind a bit.

I agree with amelia. Likely scar tissue. Lymph nodes can and often do swell, just as in the neck, in response to something as simple as a cold virus. Part of the lymph systems' job; to filter and clean house. So, hoping that's precisely what you have going on.

Our surgeons are our first line of defense in evaluating these things so you've gone to just the right place. Doesn't mean it's serious, just that our onc's aren't that well qualified to make an accurate assessment. Hoping to hear good news.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

I was glad to see your question and the answers you got. Last week I was at MD Anderson Cancer Center for my checkup and tests. I was dx in Feb of last year. The mammogram showed up a density that hasn't been on any previous mammograms so they did an ultrasound. The surgeon determined that it was just a lymph node and told me I'm OK and don't need to do anything about it. When I brought my test results home to my medical oncol he thought it was important to get it out and make sure what it is. He sent me to a local surgeon who said that since I've already had breast cancer, any lumps should come out and be tested. I agreed and will have surgury monday. My "lymph node" is 1.0 centermeters. My new surgeon told me that lymph nodes are usually tiny but that the radiation could have enlarged it. My concern is that it didn't show up in my last mammo I had 6 months ago or any of the previous mammos. Did any of you ladies who said they have found one know if yours was that big? My cancer was just a little bigger than that. I think I would continue to worry about it if it doesn't come out. Sorry this is so long, but I know another lady who had breast cancer and MD Anderson had been watching 2 lymph nodes for a few years- one under her arm, one on her leg. Now they have found it to be cancer (not breast cancer) and sh'e doing chemo. This alarmed me because we have the same surgeon at MD Anderson and I think her plan was to watch mine too! If it grew to 1.0 centermeter in 6 months couldn't it be twice as big at my next 6 month check-up??