[bejuce]

Thanks, ladies! I applied Cortisone cream to the large area and took a pill of Cephalexin that I had in the house from a prescription that my oncologist had given me at my previous skin met scare over the summer. I could only fall asleep after 1 am, and at 5 am I woke up with a painful arm and some cold chills. The area looked better this morning.

I called the cancer center and spoke to the nurse who told me it's most likely an infection given my hot tub use, the fact that the area was warm to the touch, my cold chills, the area getting better with the antibiotic, and the low likelihood of having skin mets appear so sudden in a large area under the arm.

I have a previously scheduled check-up appt with my oncologist on Friday so I'll see what happens between now and then. Meanwhile, I'll continue taking the antibiotic which I'm so thankful for having around.

So scary to have this from a hot tub! Again, I should have known better. My husband was totally freaking out and even cried a bit - I think he was convinced it was mets after the pictures he saw online. He calmed down after I mentioned the hot tub link. We were both laying there late at night in bed with our respective phones reading about all sorts of things online and bouncing ideas off of each other. Something my doctors and nurses have told me repeatedly to avoid, but I just can't help it.

I'm so beyond thankful for this group and community. I know I can come here with any question/fear/concern and someone will tell me whether it's baseless or not.

So again, thank you!!! I'll post an update after my appt on Friday.