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weety
weety Member Posts: 1,163
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Okay ladies,

I've got a tender nodule feeling lump in between the skin and my rib on the left side of my body.  It hurts like a bruise, but no noticeable bruising of the skin.  It is not where I had radiation--it's lower than that, and like I said, on the side of my body maybe 4 inches straight up from my hip bone.  I can feel a knot or something there.  It feels like it is more long and skinny than fat and round.  It is very tender.  It's lower than where my bra touches. 

It's got me freaked out (what else is new) so I'm hoping someone on here can offer some insights.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited November 2010

    Hi weety,  take a big deep breath now let it out slowly, relax a little.  I have had the same thing and I have done exactly what you have done and panicked as we are all prone to do.  It turned out to be a knotted muscle and yes oh so sore, unbelievably so.  When I had my BS visit last week he felt it and reassured me that it was just a muscle and the scan I had done for re staging confirmed his DX.  When you next have a doc appointment, I would mention it but please don't stress in the mean time.

    Peace, strength, love n hugs.  chrissyb

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited November 2010

    Thanks chrissyb.

    I'm hoping that's all it is.  I looked up knotted muscles and it does sound a little like that, but  It's just in a really weird spot--directly on the left side of my ribcage halfway between where my hip and armpit is.  How would I get a knotted muscle there?  I noticed that area was sore for a few days, but didn't really investigate it till last night when I felt the lump.  I had just figured it was a bruise since I have seemed to be bruisisng much more since finishing chemo.  I panicked when I felt the knot/lump!

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  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 1,585
    edited November 2010

    So scary honey, know how you feel.  No insights, just love and support. xo

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited November 2010

    Weety, is it on the same side that you had your op?  Mine is and I asked how a knot could form over the rib, the doc said because everything has been interfered with, the muscles often react by bunching when we move or stretch and sometimes they just knot up when we do this.

    Love n hugs.   chrissy

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    Have you considered truncal LE? I noticed mine that way. When my DH was massaging my wound site and he hit a certain spot on my back I'd keep saying OW! what is that??? He said nothing was there. My onc diagnosed the LE on my back.

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited November 2010

    Yes, it is on the same side as my surgery (mastectomy) but it is quite a bit lower than the breast area.  It does sound like what you are talking about chrissyb.  I hope so!

    I don't think it is truncal LE.  I don't notice any swelling anywhere else, plus I only had 1 lymph node removed, but I suppose anything's possible.

    Thank you ladies for your ideas and support.  It really does help to have someone just to "sound off" with when things like this pop up.  I'm afraid if I mention it one more time to my husband, he's going to masking tape my mouth closed!!! LOL

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    It was my DH that found a mass on my left rib side and I got an ultrasound and the tech measured it and everything. Then the radiologist was called in from his lunch (I'm sweating now!) and he very quickly said it's normal breast tissue. Then he looked at my flat chest and said "well,  you know what I mean." and walked out!! Not very reassuring, the mass was like a finger between my ribs and I was quite worried.

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited November 2010

    Weety: I'm experiencing something similar and came across your post when I searched for "ribs." In my case the sore spot is just below the bra line and on the same side as surgery. I noticed mine last Saturday, the day after I flew back from a trip to Ireland, so thought it might be a little blood clot. I figured I'd wait it out to see if it goes away on its own. It feels sore like a bump and I was sure that when I looked in the mirror that I would see bruising but there's none and in any case it would be difficult to get a bruise there without remembering it. My other theory was that in my case it was something to do with radiation. That area is still discolored from rads. I have my six month appt with my rad onc at the end of this month so I can discuss it with her then. I don't see my other oncologist until mid-December.

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  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited November 2010

    I am also having the same type of issue but my lump is above my breast where the muscle meets the implant. It is not painful because I have no feeling there but when I press on it I can feel it move. I am hopeing it is just the mucle but this is really freaking me out. have any of you had issue in that spot. I am 6 months out of final exchange.

    Hope all is well for evryone else

    Marie

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  • tougherthanithought
    tougherthanithought Member Posts: 454
    edited November 2010

    I have something similar to Marie...a sore spot near top of implant, upper rib area. It feels like a small lump, especially when I'm in the shower with soapy hands.  Exchange surgery was Jan 2010.  Had a CT scan of the area (August, I think) and showed nothing.  I still find myself touching it all the time and worrying if the CT was wrong. My onc thinks its nothing, but said we should keep an eye on it for any changes, if I'm still concerned.  I hate to be paranoid, so I'm trying not to obsess about it, at the same time, keeping a watchful eye.

    Weety, when do you see your Dr. next?  Definitely bring it up at your next appointment if you haven't done so alrealy.

    Good luck and hugs to all!

    Sherrill 

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  • marie111
    marie111 Member Posts: 119
    edited November 2010

    I saw beast specialist last friday and after investigation by U/S the lump seems to be fatty tissue probably from fat injections I received at exchange. Feel much better now !!! It's crazy how easy it is to get into a sheer panic mode after everything we have been thru, I am hoping this will subside with time .....

     Hope you are all well and good luck !!!!

    Marie

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  • D4Hope
    D4Hope Member Posts: 352
    edited November 2010

    Marie I am so relieved for you. I don't think I will ever feel like the cancer will be gone forever. I always panic at every pain I get. I am so happy you got good news.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2010

    Excellent Marie! Now we have to hear how weety is doing......

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited November 2010

    I've been playing the ignorance game--you know the one that if you ignore something, it goes away???  Actually, my side has gotten better.  It is still slightly tender and I can still feel that strange skinny lump (it feels like a small pencil--it's long and skinny) but since it seems to be subsiding, I guess I can stop worrying about it.  For now.  I'm sure something else will come up next month.  Gee whiz. . .

    Thanks for checking on me!

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