Enlarged lymph nodes on cancer side.

susiered

Enlarged lymph nodes on cancer side.

susiered

Hi ladies. In may 08 I was diagnosed with stage IIB idc with 2 positive lymph nodes. I had seven removed. I had chemo, double mast. and rads.I am in the process of reconstruction now. Have had my fills and am just waiting for a surgery date. I went this past wed. for my physical Therapy. My PT found several enlarged lymph nodes on the cancer side and asked me if I was fighting a cold or something. I have been fighting allergies as so many of us have this spring. She said they were very full...hard as rocks. I asked her if I should be concerned and she said because there were so many enlarged that she would not be alarmed. She said it might still be my body recovering from the rads which ended 1 year ago. They really are huge and very sore to touch. Even though she said don't worry I am scared to death. After all she is only a pt, and I don't mean that bad, but would she really know if there was something to worry about? I also asked if this could be the beginning of lymphedema. She said in all her years of experience she honestly doesn't think it feels like lymphedema. She thinks things have just gotten stuck together and the fluid is not draining properly.

What would you do? I feel like maybe I should let my onc take a look at this since they are so big. By the way the lymphs on the other side are fine. I am so afraid of a recurrence. Please ladies I need your input!!

Thank you,

Susan

lexislove

Hi Susan,

What would I do?

 I'd be calling my onc first thing Monday mornin to get an exam.

I too am scared of recurrence...just like the rest of us. I actually had a big scare myself almost a month ago. I found a descent size lump on my cancer side, after my implant reconstruction. It was just below my scar line. Bla..blah.. blah. I found it on a Friday afternoon, Easter long weekend. I called all my docs....everyone was gone till Tuesday. I went to 2 walk in clinics and the hospital ER. I was a wreck. Long story short, got into see my surgeon, he did an exam, ordered an ultrasound..................B9 cyst.

All the events leading up to this was horrible....but we can't put our heads in the sand. Well....we can, but it won't help us.

 I'm sorry about all this. Your PT may be right....but better to go to the expert your onc.

susiered

You are so right Lexie. I have known I should call my Onc, but I am so scared. I needed to hear it from someone else. I don't know what I will do if it is a reaccurance. I am so scared.

I am sorry for the scare you went through, but thank God it is b-9.

I just don't like the way mine feels. Please keep me in your thoughts and I will let you know what I find out. 

lexislove

susan,

I can hear the despair in your post.

This whole situation sucks.....plain sucks. Thats it.

I do know that your enlarged nodes could be many....many...things. We just automatically assume the worse.

Just think how good you'll feel when you get the all clear.

I will keep you in my thoughts, and if your onc orders tests....check out the Waiting Room thread I started and hang out there with the others for support untill you get results.

Deep breath now!

susiered

Hi I just wanted to let you know I went yesterday and had an ultra sound done on those lymph nodes and everything is FINE!!!!!

I am so incredibly relieved.

She said most of what I am feeling is scar tissue. She does see and feel some enlarged nodes, but she believes it is just my body still reacting to rads, surgery, etc.

She saw absolutly nothing that concerned her.

What a stressful few days, but what a relief I have now.

I arrived at my appointment a few min early (or so I thought). I got there at 10:45 thinking appt was at 10:50.

I was called up to the check in desk to be told my appt. was at 9:50. I just burst into tears right then and there. They told me they would do the ultra-sound, but most likely I would not see a Dr.

Then the nurse that takes me back for the ultra sound tells me "honey you know if they have something bad to tell you they will let you see a Dr.

So after ultra sound they tell me Wait in this roon the dr. will be in tio talk to you. Well what would you think? I was terrified. She was just a kind Dr. who stayed and waited for me to have my tests and was late for surgery because she didn't want me to worry!

Thank God for kind Dr.s out there.

Thanks Lexi for talking me through this!

Love and hugs,

Susan