swollen lymph nodes on chest wall??

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wallan
wallan Member Posts: 1,275
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hey everybody:

    I have swollen lymph nodes on my chest wall near my mastectomy scar. And, I have lumps and an achy armpit on my good side.

  My family doctor is sending me for ultrasounds of these lumps.

I am not really freaked out about my good side too much. But I am  a little freaked about the swollen lymph nodes on my mastectomy side.

Anyone ever had this or heard of this? I google it and its not good.

Wendy  

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  • sanbar8771
    sanbar8771 Member Posts: 281
    edited April 2011

    I have not necessarily swollen lymphs but they are lumpy. I have  had it the whole time...even before my cancer diagnosis. All my scans have shown that these lymphs are clear. I would not worry about it. Maybe there is lymph juice collecting there and making it more lumpy. Remember not to stress. Take a deep breath.  I hope everything looks good.

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  • NannaBaby
    NannaBaby Member Posts: 510
    edited April 2011

    I had a palpable lump just below my mast. scar in between the ribs.  It turned out to be nothing, just some fluid swelling.  I thought it felt like a swollen lymph node too.  It's gone away.  I was so paranoid about this lump! I asked 3 doctors to check it! I even marked it with a sharpy before seeing my BS, and he kinda laughed at me! (not in a bad way - I like his sense of humor). I've had 2 ultrasounds since surgery because of my paranoia, and both times were clear :)

    How long ago did you have surgery? Apparently fluid swelling is common healing process approx. 3-4 months after surgery. At least that's what my BS told me.

    Before surgery I did have a swollen lymph node show up on an MRI in the intercoastal space... It has gone away after rads and chemo... still will never know if it had cancer in it.

    Take a deep breath and relax :) I bet it's just fluid/edema...

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited April 2011

    Just keep in mind that with the mx and node removal on the cancer side, the remaining nodes will be working harder at their job. Any kind of minor infection may throw them off, cause them to swell. Yes, it's scary that they are swollen, and should be checked out, but there are causes other than a recurrence that could be the reason.

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited April 2011

    It seems as though you have had swollend nodes in the past and they turned out to be nothing.  Perhaps your nodes are just sensitive now as they work harder like NancyD said? I hope that this is the case, and it seems likely.  Good luck!

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited April 2011

    Hi Wendy,

    My doctor told me that lymph nodes swell for a whole bunch of reasons. But I totally understand how you feel. Try to take it easy and good luck with the ultrasounds.

    Take care. 

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2011

    Hey girls:

       THanks for that. I just had my 7 year anniversary from my diagnosis. I have never had swollen lymph nodes or any bumps or lumps on my mastectomy side until now. I never found them actually. My family doctor found them.

     I was at the doctor because I had a sore armpit on my good side. She examined me on both sides and found the lumps near my mastectomy side.  I also have "cysts" in my good breast.

     It is interesting that I stopped taking aromasin at the end of November. I wonder if I have a surge of estrogen from my fat cells causing a lumpy reaction in my breast tissues. Benign at least.

    You are right it is probably nothing,

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2011

    Wendy, I've just seen this, I'm hoping it is nothing! When are you going for the U/S?

    Try not to worry too much, I'm sure there are loads of non-cancer reasons it could happen. Let us know.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2011

    Wendy,

    Just thinking about you and hoping that everything turns out okay.  I'm sure it's hard to not worry, but we are here for you!

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2011

    Hey girls:

       My ultrasound is tomorrow at 10:30. I am nervous I have to admit.

      Pray its B9!

    Wendy

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited April 2011

    Hi Wendy, Just reading  this.

    Try to  relax,  You had an axillary dissection w  18 nodes out , which messes with your ability to drain fluids.

    I will pray for you, but I don't think it's anything.

    Take Care,

    Love,

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2011

    Will be thinking of you Wendy! Everything crossed for you.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited April 2011

    Good luck Wendy!

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited April 2011

    sending prayers your way! xo -janyce

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited April 2011

    Just seeing this Wendy.  Thinking of you and praying right along with you!  

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited April 2011

    Wendy.......thinking about you.....hoping all goes well and there is nothing to really worry about.....
     
    Jacqueline 
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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited April 2011

    Wendy...Odds are in your favor that it's nothing:) Hang in there! Prayers and hugs)))

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  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 2,637
    edited April 2011

    Let us know how it goes Wendy, we're pulling for you

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited April 2011

    Wendy-

    Hoping all goes well.

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited April 2011

    Thanks guys... it meants alot!!

    I am just waiting for results now......

    I never thought of the lymphedema angle. Here's hoping it is lymphedema....

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited April 2011

    UGH.  That waiting game stinks, Wendy, but we are all thinking about you and hoping for the best.  Actually, I'm rooting for an infection that's on it's way out!

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited April 2011

    Oh, the waiting game....let us know when you hear anything.

    ((((hugs))))

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2011

    Wendy -  sending positive thoughts your way.

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2011

    Are you ok? 

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  • YATCOMW
    YATCOMW Member Posts: 664
    edited May 2011

    Wendy......You've been on my mind......hope you will check in and tell us all is okay.

    Sending positive vibes....

    Jacqueline

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited May 2011

    Hi everyone:

        I talked to the nurse over the phone at the docs office today. My breast ultrasounds are "normal" but my liver ultrasound shows an enlarged liver. She said no "lesions" were seen.

       The nurse said to come in and speak with the doctor about this. She said the "swollen lymph nodes" were just fatty lumps (thank God). She said the doctor needs to see me about my liver. That is all she said.

       Now I am concerned about my liver. I have googled this and an enlarged liver can be caused by many things. One of them is mets to liver. Another is tamoxifen... I took aromasin so I wonder if this counts. Another is viral hepatitis. I did have a flu bug about a month ago and had to take antibotics for a sinus and ear infection.

       So I have to go see the doctor in person. I am a little overweight, but not obese I don't think. I rarely drink. I do take antidepressants but am starting to wean off.  

    I guess I just have to wait.

    At least the lumps are not mets. :)

    Wendy 

       

      "

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  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited May 2011

    Congrats on no mets in your lumps.   Hopefully, the liver will prove to be nothing serious.   It could be med related or they could be wrong.   Hugs to you and sending B9 thoughts your way.

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited May 2011

    Very happy to hear the lumps were nothing.  Prayers that the liver is fine as well.  I'm sure there are many things that it could be that are not at all serious.  Best of luck when speaking to your doc tomorrow.

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited May 2011

    Hi there,

    Gald to hear your good results. He HAS to see you b-c since he saw this HE has to do further testing. My guess is if it was mets you would actually have some signs of mets somewhere else. Hang in there-so many things could be causing your liver to swell.

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited May 2011

    Wendy,

    That's great news about the lymph nodes, now we just need for them to come back and tell you they were mistaken about the liver, or that it is being caused by something else.  I'll be praying for you.

    Hugs

    Bobbie

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited May 2011

    Wendy, glad the nodes were just fat. I hope the liver issue is not a BIG concern. "Enlarged" can happen from so many things...and what is he comparing it to? A previous scan, or just what is considered "normal sized"? Let us know!

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