Calling all TNs
Comments
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Luv, - dont get crazy, - it's probably nothing and the more you touch/press the area the more you are aggravating it and making it more sensitive!
Dont let your imagination run away!
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hey luv
Thinking of you! Have you been taught Manual Lymph Drainage? My PT taught me, and even tho I don't have lymphedema, I do it prophylactically, and after I exercise. Maybe you just have a lil lymph clog?
Try to not worry
Hugs!
Arlene
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Edit to add: I looked at a diagram of lymph nodes my Lymphedema therapist gave me and on that it says the lymph nodes where I feel something are the Cubital nodes! The shoulder ones are Deltoideopectoral nodes. I'm not sure if I really feel something there though.
Trying to control the anxiety but it's not easy. I just had a heart palpitation and got light headed for a second. That's happened before when I was panicky. I wish my husband didn't have to leave to go out of town for work in the morning! I just have a bad feeling this time. I've had tightness and pain off and on for a long time on the cancer side mostly in the upper arm/truncal area and around to the side, but nobody ever seems concerned. Arlene, I supposedly have mild truncal Lymphedema, but the LE therapist isn't even certain I do have it, because compression and MLD don't help the puffiness I have there. The Oncologist says it's just as puffy as it was when he first met me and my husband says the same thing, meaning it hasn't changed and the therapy hasn't seemed to help, like I said so who the heck knows?! I hope and pray this is nothing serious but if it is lymph nodes I'm feeling they say those swell due to cancer, inflammation or infection. Maybe it's just tissue? I was thinking earlier that the areas where I think I feel something are areas the doctor's don't ever checkduring an examination. So I'm really confused and scared! Anyway, thanks for being here for me! XOXO!
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LUV= Please take a deep breath. Think positive. Because it probably is NOTHING. You have been to the MD so many times. Nobody is hiding anything from you. Call your MO on Monday. Trying elevating that arm or put on a compression long sleeve shirt. Relax I am afraid you are going to make yourself worse with worry. LOVE YOU!!!!
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Luv...I had something similiar a few years ago near my elbow and showed my onc...he smiled and said...can't you do better than that? anyway it was a lipoma...like it or not..we all have these little fatty things floating around our bodies...I also have one above my right clavicle...sometimes it is there...sometimes not...but please be sure to have it checked out...nothing wrong with that
I don't come on here much anymore but glad to see this thread thriving and you all supporting each other...it's so very important....
Hey to you old timers! Like me....75 months out this week...and feeling fine...ran a 5K last saturday in the rain and won 3 place in my age group...my old age group...lol...was 49 when I joined bco...now I will be 56 in September.....time really does fly.
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luv
There are tendons in that area, and blood vessels with valves...maybe that's what you are feeling? You are so anxious, and I get it, believe me. Can you try an ativan or xanax?
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Hi Titan, So glad to hear from you and hear that you are still running and still healthy after 75 months. I'm 53 months out. Life is good. Jan
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Thanks Eileen and Titan! I need to look for a long sleeved compression shirt because I just use the short sleeves ones and a regular Lymphedema sleeve and they don't help much. I'm gonna call and see if I can get in with my PCP before calling my Oncologist to see what she thinks this is. It's always hard to get in with my Onc around a holiday week. Thanks again. Love you gals so much!! XOXO
I'm a little more relaxed now. Watched a movie with the hubby. It was storming for awhile so I had to sit on the couch with our doberman's because they turn into big babies when it storms! Haha! They're all three in the bed with us now. Should be a fun night!
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Greenae I can't take Ativan or anything because I was on Benzo's for quiet awhile during and after treatment and they kept having to increase the dose. Then I had to slowly taper off everything and it was hell for me because the anxiety came back tenfold! So now my doctor's won't prescribe it. I took some Tylenol PM just a little bit ago so that should kick in soon!
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luv
I hope youcan feel better. Seems crazy to me, you are feeling anxiety...your docs need to help! If not benzos, then maybe some other anti anxiety and/or anti depressant? There are so many meds that can help, e.g. Zoloft, effexor, paxil, prozac, etc. After what we've been thru, sometimes we need a little help. It's PTSD...jeeze, it ain't easy!
I so understand, because some days I am the total warrior, and others, a mess. I picture Trip Neg cells traveling all over, like you see on episodes of "House." Ugh. I find the busier I am, the easier to forget, but my upcoming surgery is making me anxious. I just keep reminding myself that worrying won't change anything, and it uses up So much energy. I hope you have a good night's sleep, and feel better tomorrow.
Hugs
Arlene
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Hey luvmydobies , just dropping in from the April group...I get why you are so worried! I had a similar experience last week...so scary. Little nodule like things in my armpit. Went strait to my excellent MO and he examined me and said it was scar tissue and cording. He got me right in with a physical therapist who gave me another full workup and stretches for it. Even in less than a week the scar tissue is smoother. Praying this is the case for you!
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Arlene, I've actually tried a few antidepressants and I'm one of the few who experience bad side effects from them. Ugh. I was doing really well up until I felt these things. I wasn't fretting over every little ache, upset stomach, etc. But to actually "feel" something is getting to me. I slept a bit better last night. My arm and chest are sore, but I think/hope it's from all the poking and prodding around on it I've been doing the last two days??? I'm going to try to leave it alone! I just keep thinking maybe it'll be gone the next time I feel for it!
Also, I've been having what I thought were hot flashes, especially at night! Now, I'm like what if it's the sweats you get from cancer?! They aren't so bad I have to change my clothes or sheets. My mind is just wondering here though! My husband has been getting hot at night too though so maybe it's just the hot humid weather. Of course I get hot when I have the little anxiety attacks too so maybe it's just the combo of weather and stress??
Littleblueflowers, thanks for the well wishes! I don't know that this could be scar tissue because of the location since it's not really close to any incisions.
My husband keeps saying it's nothing and to just leave it alone and live! He has it in his mind that since it wasn't in my lymph nodes at diagnosis, that means it won't come back. He just doesn't understand or he doesn't want to believe that it "can" happen regardless though. I'd love to just put it out of my mind and not ever go back to the doctor again but as you all know we can't do that! I want to call the Oncologist, but I just don't know because it's a holiday week. I'm sure they'll be off on Friday, so he will be booked. So that's why I said I'd see my PCP first. Maybe I should book an appointment with my regular doc, and email my Oncology nurse navigator and see if she thinks I should see the Onc? What would you all do? Thanks again for everything! XO!!!
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luv
I would see my PCP, and have her look/feel, then call the onco.
Following normal progression of lymph drainage and nodes, something would be a problem in the axillary region before it hit the antecubital region? Another words, a "problem" wouldn't skip the axillary nodes and skip to the cubital nodes, I am thinking.
And I would push to try different meds, there are so many. Often the SEs go away after a few weeks or dose adjustment. Anxiety and panic disorder cause many various physical effects, including palpitations and sweating
Hugs
Arlene
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Thanks Arlene! I'm going to call in the morning and see if I can see my PCP tomorrow. My husband doesn't want me taking any meds. He thinks they all will affect me like the Benzo's did. He just wants me to live and forget about all this. I wish it were that easy! He says he just believes that I'm cured and this is nothing. I do ok, until something like this happens! I want to hurry up and see the doctor but at the same time, I'm terrified to see the doctor! Ugh!
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luv
Same deal here. Husband, siblings, kids...all think it will be Done as soon as recon is done next week. They don't get it. And we are supposed to always be positive. Blaaah. The upcoming sx and trip neg scare me. SCARE ME! So I try to keep it to myself and vent on here. It doesnt always work. But we will just keep trying!
HUGS!
Arlene
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Arlene, just want you to know I'm thinking of you and wishing a quick uncomplicated surgery and recovery next week. I KNOW you will do great!
Hugs xxx
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I just hit my elbow HARD on our end table and pains shot thru my shoulder and chest! It cut it a little so I washed it with soap and water then peroxide. I'm icing it now. But now I'm scared it'll cause cellulitis and Lymphedema! Good grief! Not a good ending to the weekend!
Arlene I will also be praying your surgery goes well next week! Try not to worry yourself and take things one at a time! XOXO!
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LUV now you know why I hate the word "recurrence" because whether it is or it isn't we convince ourselves that it is. Call your PCP or Onco to put your mind at rest but I'm willing to bet that is not cancer on your elbow. Arlene is right, there are lots of antidepressants and you won't be allergic to them all but you must give them time to work and do their job before saying they are not working because they take a while to get into your system. Do you work and if not what do you do with your day. Your husband is right you have to live because we have been given the chance to do just that and the more you fill up your mind with things to do the less time you will have to worry. Or meet some friends for lunch or go on a shopping spree (my kind of fun). We all get why you worry so much but sometimes you need to have something new in your life. I would say go to Mytle Beach with your hubby and sit in the shade. If you lived in New Zealand at the moment your mind wouldn't be going to Alaska!! I get night sweats where my hubby will find me laying on top of the bed covers even in the middle of winter but I have done that since I had my chemo. He just tucks me back in again and I don't even know he has done it lol. Do try to stop worrying my love or you will make yourself ill. Anxiety causes palpitations and a whole host of other things as well. Sending you heaps of warm hugs for a stress free day.
Arlene thinking of you with your upcoming surgery and sending warm cyber hugs. Will be in your pocket.
Titan good to hear you are still keeping your thighs flapping. You go girl. I cannot believe you are 75 months out. Seems like a lifetime we have been on here. It's seems to me that you have been in the news a lot lately hanging out with all those cute guys. Lucky sod. Keep well my friend and keep on walking, will do you good.
Hoping all of you ladies and gentlemen either in treatment, waiting for treatment or just living, have a stress free day.
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LUV, enjoy your movie, you will call tomorrow, and then you will have a plan of action. I will gladly pray for you if you wish: same for your Arlene!
Hugs
Kath
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Cocker, I do volunteer work at a Doberman rescue and it is great therapy. That's another reason I don't want to move to Myrtle Beach. That's cute that your hubby tucks you back in bed!!
Kath, prayers are definitely welcome! Thanks so much!! I pray for all of us here as well!
Man, my arm and my elbow really hurt after hitting it. So much for cleaning the kitchen like I had planned to do tonight. Oh well, it can wait till tomorrow! I did get a lot of laundry done and the sheets changed and walked our youngest Doberman this morning. Our other male doesn't like to walk and our female has an infected foot so she couldn't go. I felt bad for her because she gave me the sad look when I didn't take her! Poor thing! Thanks so much for the encouragement, prayers and everything. Love you guys more than anything! I'll let you all know when I get an appointment!
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luv
No peroxide on healthy skin. It's too strong. Soap, water, a lil antibiotic ointment and a bandaid. You will be Fine!
Thank you All for the good wishes. I am such a bad patient. Lol. Can't sit still. It will be nice to have 2 breasts roughly the same size. I am so tired of this TE, and being so lopsided. Just don't know what size the new ones will be?
Shari, How are you? I try to keep up with the March and April grps. Don't post much, but thinking of you. I hope your SEs are minimal. I am fighting some neuropathy that started After my last TC! But it is getting better.
Hugs to All!
Arlene
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Luv,
"Worrying is like praying for something you don't want to happen." Robert Downey Jr
Is not he a darling? love him
But all jokes aside, try just brush it off and stop imagine bad things, just opposite - try to imagine how this thing gets smaller and smaller. Very good exercise for your willpower and putting positive energy out there. I know, easier said than done, but worth trying.
Good luck tomorrow and I wish all ladies to have an easy week, only good news
xoxox
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Thanks so much Ella!! XO!
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Well my PCP is out of her office until July 6th! I made an appointment with the other doctor there at 1:45 today. I've seen him a few times before but I hate not seeing my regular doctor!
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Ella,
I needed that "don't worry" poster above. Not just with cancer, but normal life in general. Thanks for posting that and Robert Downey quote!
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Arlene, - the exchange is not NEARLY as difficult as the mx!!
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hi anotha
Its the redux/ lift on the right that has me worried. I just stink at being a pt. and the hematoma incident I had after mx has me spooked . Hate the drain. Blaaah.
Thanks for thinking of me!
Love
Arlene
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Luv and Arlene - Holding your hand. Just remember to keep breathing. Jan
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Thanks Jan! I'm getting more nervous the closer it gets to my appointment. I emailed my nurse navigator and she of course said we have lymph nodes everywhere, which I knew. She said see what this doctor I'm seeing today says and go from there.
Arlene, you'll be alright. We're here for you and will miss you when you're away from the forum, so hurry back please! What day is your surgery? Sorry if I missed that somewhere. XOXO!!
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Just got back from the doctor and he thinks the things I feel are tendons. He checked the clavicle and axillary nodes and said all felt normal. He said if it does spread to the nodes it most likely would go to the axillary nodes first, just like Arlene said! Both sides of my chest and arms are pretty sore! He said that's probably from me pushing around everywhere though!
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