Bump or lymph node?

[Guest]

Think of where Frankenstein's bolts would come out of his neck and this is where I felt a tiny, pea-sized cyst or bump on the right side of my neck. I'm feeling uneasy and don't know how to proceed. When I rub my middle finger over it (and I'm a small person), it feels very small, but I do notice it. I just saw my oncologist two weeks ago and am not due to see her until Sept. I don't think it's been there before, but any body change has me feeling more frightened. TU :-)

[jojo]

You have every right to phone your onc's office for an earlier appointment prior to your Sept appointment. Like Steph always says, cancer is a SNEAKY disease! You will get a confirmation of your neck lump. Regardless the results, you will be better off, knowing what is going on. Pretty tough to be in the unknown world, right? I do not have the magic words to calm you, but all I could say: "Take a deep breath and try to relax." I know, easier said than done! Sending positive vibes your way! :-)

[MGordon]

I cannot second JoJo's response enough!

Schedules can change. Take charge of your treatment and options. Fear of the unknown is also a killer.

If for any reason you cannot get into to your Onc - make an appointment with your Doc. When Lisa's recurrence was identified it was caught by our Doc and since he is fully up to date on her status as a survivor he knew to go the extra mile! (Thank God)

Love and Light
Mel (spouse of Lisa)

[Lolly]

Yes, I agree with Mel and Jojo, you must take action and get yourself in to either your onc or your Primary Care. Do not take no for an answer. This is not to scare you further, but to encourage you to remember that this is your life, your health, and your peace of mind. You have the right to have your concerns adressed.

<3,
Lolly

[Guest]

Thank you for your support and encouragement. I was able to get in to see my surgeon next Thursday, 7/7, so I'll keep you posted on his comments. I'm pleased it worked out this way, because my husband and I are going on vacation for a week on the 11th and I couldn't get in to see my onc., because she's out of town until mid-July and I'm not sold on her any way. I have good vibes, trust and good feelings with my surgeon and will let it rest until I see him next week. I decided that yesterday by not touching my neck and I was a heck of a lot more peaceful just putting it on the back burner until I see him. Thanks again and Happy Fourth to you my friends.

[jojo]

Hello Guest,

Something just came to mind, which I cannot believe I had actually forgotten all about it.

At one point -- I think late last year -- my lymph nodes in the neck felt swollen & a bit tender, of course this got me quite concerned. So, I went in to see my onc NP (nurse practitioner), and she took a look at them. She just said that my nodes were reacting to some sort of inflammation -- it could have been a typical cold or just fighting off bacteria. I did not need to take antibiotics, though. She said for me to come back in a few weeks, please, if my nodes seemed to be worse.

Turns out she was right... the swelling went completely gone. Before I had the appt with my NP, I could've sworn that I really thought that cancer came into my nodes, since I had already recurred with a brain met as well as nodes several months before.

I hope your situation turns out to be nothing. I, for one, truly believe that despite what kind of news (good or bad), we are better off knowing the truth, instead of going on limbo and driving ourselves crazy with endless & "what if's" questions, just because this was an unknown situation! I think it is MUCH easier for us to directly deal with our issues, once we find out the truth. Denial could be a bad thing... just postponing your willingness to face on as well as close a chapter in your life, and welcome the next brand-new chapter.

All in all, we are FIGHTERS!!! Right, ladies? :-)

Positive vibes sending your way! :-)

[Lyn]

Hi, I think Lolly and I are the queens for lumps in the neck. I think being your first lump you should definately get a biopsy. Our type of BC has only effected the lymphs and skin, why we don't know but that is much better than organ involvement. I think I had a couple of biopsies after that on new lumps and don't bother any more, mine have mostly been dealt with by radiation and not had one removed yet. The enlarged lymph glands trap BC cells and once treated the lymph gland goes back to normal, I use to think I would run out of glands. Did you have any removed, I had 16 out of 16 all positive with no clear margin. Hope this is of help, so even if it is think of it this way, at least it trapped some little suckers that didn't get away.

Hugs Lyn

[MGordon]

Dear Guest -

Your doc appt was today and I just wnated to check-in and hear the status. Look forward to hearing form you.

Mel (Spouse of Lisa)