Lump in arm - concern or not?

Kathryn_in_MN
Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I'm starting to feel like some sort of extreme hypochodriac, although I've never been one before. I have always been very slow to go to the doctor for anything. But lately every little thing is starting to worry me, as anytime I ignore something it turns out to be something I shouldn't have ignored.

I have a lump on my right forearm - I think it is in my vein. A blood clot maybe? My arm is a little sore around it, and it hurts if I bump or push on the lump. It isn't too big.

Is this worth bothering the on call doctor about tomorrow? Wait and see what happens by Monday?

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
    hypochondria
    I get a hangnail, and I think it's cuticle cancer.

    Welcome to the club; your "T" shirt should be in the mail by Tuesday.

    It never hurts to get something that's bothering you checked out
    by a doctor. I've paid for Cadilacs, Lexus', College educations,
    and big screen tvs for the medical pros through the years; They
    love me.

    You're only going to get stressed out worrying about it, so go
    and find out.
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #3
    John23 said:

    hypochondria
    I get a hangnail, and I think it's cuticle cancer.

    Welcome to the club; your "T" shirt should be in the mail by Tuesday.

    It never hurts to get something that's bothering you checked out
    by a doctor. I've paid for Cadilacs, Lexus', College educations,
    and big screen tvs for the medical pros through the years; They
    love me.

    You're only going to get stressed out worrying about it, so go
    and find out.

    My
    Onc told me to tell her about any lumps I get. Part of the symptons of a blood clot she said could be fever, pain around the area, redness, soreness and it feeling hot.

    I'd get it checked.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Shayenne said:

    My
    Onc told me to tell her about any lumps I get. Part of the symptons of a blood clot she said could be fever, pain around the area, redness, soreness and it feeling hot.

    I'd get it checked.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #5
    So Sorry
    Dear Kathryn,

    I think you should have it checked right away. At least call the on call doctor. I went in for a PICC line flush and the nurses saw that my wrist has a little bump on it. They called my doctor over and they sent my down to get some tests to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. They told me to always get in touch with them when anything is different. You never know. Please don't feel like a "hypo" we have some really crazy stuff done to our bodies so we can't expect not to have crazy stuff happen. Ha. Continue to be your own best advocate. My doctor really encourages me to call for anything.

    I had to have a colonoscopy several months after my resection during my chemo. The procedure went fine but that evening I was at the show and my feet and hands started to hurt. I felt them and they were huge. My face was all puffy and my whole body was big. I called the doctor and they sent me to the ER. I had a reaction to all the bowel prep and had about 15 lbs of water retention. It could have been very dangerous if I had not gone to the ER and been treated. You just never know. They were wonderful in the ER and apologized for it happening. Said they did it to me. Ha.

    I'm not trying to alarm you, just encourage you. Let us know how you're doing. I will be praying for you. You've had a rough time.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #6
    So Sorry
    Dear Kathryn,

    I think you should have it checked right away. At least call the on call doctor. I went in for a PICC line flush and the nurses saw that my wrist has a little bump on it. They called my doctor over and they sent my down to get some tests to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. They told me to always get in touch with them when anything is different. You never know. Please don't feel like a "hypo" we have some really crazy stuff done to our bodies so we can't expect not to have crazy stuff happen. Ha. Continue to be your own best advocate. My doctor really encourages me to call for anything.

    I had to have a colonoscopy several months after my resection during my chemo. The procedure went fine but that evening I was at the show and my feet and hands started to hurt. I felt them and they were huge. My face was all puffy and my whole body was big. I called the doctor and they sent me to the ER. I had a reaction to all the bowel prep and had about 15 lbs of water retention. It could have been very dangerous if I had not gone to the ER and been treated. You just never know. They were wonderful in the ER and apologized for it happening. Said they did it to me. Ha.

    I'm not trying to alarm you, just encourage you. Let us know how you're doing. I will be praying for you. You've had a rough time.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #7
    Shayenne said:

    My
    Onc told me to tell her about any lumps I get. Part of the symptons of a blood clot she said could be fever, pain around the area, redness, soreness and it feeling hot.

    I'd get it checked.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    thanks
    I have no fever, and the spot isn't hot, but it did turn slightly red. So I took everyone's advice here and called.

    The oncologist on call today said that as long as it doesn't get a lot worse, just put a heating pad on it if it bothers me. And if it gets worse tomorrow I should have it looked at. He said if it were above my elbow he'd be more worried, than down closer to my wrist.

    Tomorrow morning I'm taking my son (hurt his thumb in basketball two weeks ago) to a sport's medicine Dr that is part of our prmiary clinic, that I like a lot. He helped me get into remission with my RSD. I know he'll take a quick look and let me know if I should be concerned.
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #8
    grammadebbie said:

    So Sorry
    Dear Kathryn,

    I think you should have it checked right away. At least call the on call doctor. I went in for a PICC line flush and the nurses saw that my wrist has a little bump on it. They called my doctor over and they sent my down to get some tests to make sure I didn't have a blood clot. They told me to always get in touch with them when anything is different. You never know. Please don't feel like a "hypo" we have some really crazy stuff done to our bodies so we can't expect not to have crazy stuff happen. Ha. Continue to be your own best advocate. My doctor really encourages me to call for anything.

    I had to have a colonoscopy several months after my resection during my chemo. The procedure went fine but that evening I was at the show and my feet and hands started to hurt. I felt them and they were huge. My face was all puffy and my whole body was big. I called the doctor and they sent me to the ER. I had a reaction to all the bowel prep and had about 15 lbs of water retention. It could have been very dangerous if I had not gone to the ER and been treated. You just never know. They were wonderful in the ER and apologized for it happening. Said they did it to me. Ha.

    I'm not trying to alarm you, just encourage you. Let us know how you're doing. I will be praying for you. You've had a rough time.

    God Bless You,

    Debbie (gramma)

    Saw Dr today
    This morning the sport's med Dr took a look and asked which side my port was on (when I was at my son's appt with him). Since both are right side, he told me I'd better go get it checked out. I called the oncologist's office (right up the street) and my Dr's assistant was able to get me in right away. And my chart was still at their office, so everyone is happy.

    The good news is the bump on the arm is probably superficial thrombophle​bitis. I've had that before afer an IV was removed - no big deal. It is a little weird to have it pop up on a vein that hasn't been accessed for anything. I am supposed to take naprosin, and put warm moist heat on it. As long as it doesn't get worse, no worries. If it does, they'll have to do an ultrasound to check the situation and treat it from there.

    I did notice a new bright orange 1/2 page paper at the top/front of my file now. It just had some initials on it. I think it is a sign for PIA (pain in a$$) patient, so that they know not to mess with me. Or it is a warning that I have wierd stuff happening. I'd flag my file if I were them. Truly, other than the one nurse and the chart lectures, and some slow/mix-up​s on return phone calls, I'm really happy with this group overall. I really like Michelle (my Dr's assistant), and I really like Kim my nurse navigator, and Nicole, the Dr's nurse. And I've grown to like my oncologist too.

    I asked what my blood pressure was last Monday, and it was 78/50. No wonder I had so much trouble and thought I was going to pass out. But now I have the opposite worries. My blood pressure today was 128/98. I've never been that high ever - not even right before major surgery when I'm really nervous. My lower number is 60-70, and the highest it has ever been is 80. (Normal for me is 100-110/65-​70.) Combined with the chest pain I have, that worries me. For now they will just monitor and see if it was a fluke. We think the chest pain is from the oxaliplatin - because it spikes if my chest or neck are exposed to a cold breeze. Plus some could still be from the Neupogen shots (although I have no bone pain anywhere else from that anymore). But she said the chest bones are where the most bone marrow action happens. I hope that is all it is. It seems too high to be my heart anyway.

    It is kind of good I did go see Michelle today. She said she is going to call my onc and make sure he goes over everything that has been happening with me thoroughly before Thursday, when I'm scheduled for FOLFOX #3.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #9
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    Saw Dr today
    This morning the sport's med Dr took a look and asked which side my port was on (when I was at my son's appt with him). Since both are right side, he told me I'd better go get it checked out. I called the oncologist's office (right up the street) and my Dr's assistant was able to get me in right away. And my chart was still at their office, so everyone is happy.

    The good news is the bump on the arm is probably superficial thrombophle​bitis. I've had that before afer an IV was removed - no big deal. It is a little weird to have it pop up on a vein that hasn't been accessed for anything. I am supposed to take naprosin, and put warm moist heat on it. As long as it doesn't get worse, no worries. If it does, they'll have to do an ultrasound to check the situation and treat it from there.

    I did notice a new bright orange 1/2 page paper at the top/front of my file now. It just had some initials on it. I think it is a sign for PIA (pain in a$$) patient, so that they know not to mess with me. Or it is a warning that I have wierd stuff happening. I'd flag my file if I were them. Truly, other than the one nurse and the chart lectures, and some slow/mix-up​s on return phone calls, I'm really happy with this group overall. I really like Michelle (my Dr's assistant), and I really like Kim my nurse navigator, and Nicole, the Dr's nurse. And I've grown to like my oncologist too.

    I asked what my blood pressure was last Monday, and it was 78/50. No wonder I had so much trouble and thought I was going to pass out. But now I have the opposite worries. My blood pressure today was 128/98. I've never been that high ever - not even right before major surgery when I'm really nervous. My lower number is 60-70, and the highest it has ever been is 80. (Normal for me is 100-110/65-​70.) Combined with the chest pain I have, that worries me. For now they will just monitor and see if it was a fluke. We think the chest pain is from the oxaliplatin - because it spikes if my chest or neck are exposed to a cold breeze. Plus some could still be from the Neupogen shots (although I have no bone pain anywhere else from that anymore). But she said the chest bones are where the most bone marrow action happens. I hope that is all it is. It seems too high to be my heart anyway.

    It is kind of good I did go see Michelle today. She said she is going to call my onc and make sure he goes over everything that has been happening with me thoroughly before Thursday, when I'm scheduled for FOLFOX #3.

    Avastin and blood pressure
    Hi Kathryn,

    Are you also on Avastin along with the Folfox? If so, that is probably what is causing your blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure is definitely a listed side effect of Avastin. It maybe even could happen from the other chemos, but definitely from the Avastin. Once on it myself, I had to go on high blood pressure meds & am still on them. Certainly, your blood pressure isn't at a dangerous point with those numbers, but I know it could be alarming for it to be going up, especially the lower (diastolic) number. After I went on Avastin, my blood pressure went up to 130/95 or even 140/100 a couple of times- then I went on Atenolol and it's being managed well now.

    Glad you got in to be seen about the bump on your wrist.

    Take care,
    Lisa
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    lisa42 said:

    Avastin and blood pressure
    Hi Kathryn,

    Are you also on Avastin along with the Folfox? If so, that is probably what is causing your blood pressure to rise. High blood pressure is definitely a listed side effect of Avastin. It maybe even could happen from the other chemos, but definitely from the Avastin. Once on it myself, I had to go on high blood pressure meds & am still on them. Certainly, your blood pressure isn't at a dangerous point with those numbers, but I know it could be alarming for it to be going up, especially the lower (diastolic) number. After I went on Avastin, my blood pressure went up to 130/95 or even 140/100 a couple of times- then I went on Atenolol and it's being managed well now.

    Glad you got in to be seen about the bump on your wrist.

    Take care,
    Lisa

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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