I'm numb,on my way to see surgeon

mssue

I just finished my last chemo treatment January 9th,last Friday I found a pea size lump under my arm, the same side my mastectomy was on.I went to see my onocologist this morning for my check up in hopes she would tell me it was nothing.Instead she wants me to go back to my surgeon for him to see. I'm feeling kind of numb right now,nothing I can handle,but if it's something....I don't think I can. I thought I was finished,maybe i am.My surgeons office is working me in today-I don't know what else to do or say. My husband has been a blessing so far ,but I don't know if he could handle anymore-not right now when we come this far,and my daughter. Oh lord, please pray for me and my family.I'm walking out the door now,thanks for listening.
Sue

amelia

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

inkblot

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

krisrey

Hi Sue,
I am thinking of you and praying for you..I totally understand everything you just spoke of. I just recently finished all treatment Dec 30 and happen to find a small lump on the other breast. I really felt like it was just to much to handle. Fortunately my surgeon got me right in for an ultrasound and found not one but two small lumps..I was a devistated and like you, just could not imagine it happening all over again. The ultrasound could not rule anything out so I had to have a biopsy. I just got the results yesterday and it was Negative. I have never been so stressed out in all my life.
So now I pray that you also will find peace real soon. Like Inkblot and amelia said, hopefully its just a swollen node doing what it should do. I also had a swollen node in my groin and come to find out I had the shingles..so see you just never know!!!!
Please let us know how you are.
Kris

mssue

You guys are probably right,my surgeon said it's probably nothing to worry about that it looks to be in the skin.He drew fluid from it with 2 needles to test,I'll find out tomorrow.I didn't know until today that they took 16 nodes during surgery they were all negative.Also today I found out i'm in menapause.Its so easy to get worked up at this stage.I still won't rest until I know for sure. Thank you for your prayers and your lovingkindness.Your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

SUE

vac

i have the same thing under my left arm pit it's hard my surgeon said it is scar tissue i had both of my breast removed. but it's not as round anymore my oc checks on it

Sharon345

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??

mssue

Sharon,that's scary. I'm glad you are having yours taken care of,my prayers will be with you.I just got off the phone with my surgeon,he said it was fiberous tissue caused from the surgery,no cancer cells found whewwww.That pea size lump is still there,that is an accurate test isn't it?If anyone knows different please let me know.I guess the fear of reoccurence is stronger than I even realized- I should be stronger,right.Thanks for the shoulder ladies-your the greatest!
Sue