Worried
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Worried

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Worried

  • Post
    • September 19, 2016 at 2:47 pm
    Beth606
    Participant

    I'm looking for some reassurance or information. I had a thin melanoma removed from my left calf in March of this year. Stage 1a, 0.40, mitotic >1…all the things you want it to be other than Stage 0. Fast forward to the past month. I have had typical drainage from mild seasonal allergies, my ears have a lot of pressure, but then last week I noticed my lymph nodes under my chin are enlarged. i went to my GP who gave me an antibiotic in case it is a bacterial infection. I started the antibiotic on Friday, nodes still swollen. They are soft and movable.

    It just so happens my regular 3 month follow up is in a few days, so hopefully I will get more info then. I'm just

    I don't know if I'm totally overreacting? At my staging should I logically assume this is a viral or bacterial infection? I hope I'm just concerned for no reason.

     

        

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 19, 2016 at 2:48 pm
      Beth606
      Participant

      that should be mitotic rate less than 1..not greater than.

      • September 19, 2016 at 2:48 pm
      Beth606
      Participant

      that should be mitotic rate less than 1..not greater than.

      • September 19, 2016 at 2:48 pm
      Beth606
      Participant

      that should be mitotic rate less than 1..not greater than.

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Neck lymph nodes are the most reactive lymph nodes we have in our bodies. The slightest bit of anything that needs to be fought off and they swell up. During allergy season my neck lymph nodes are always a bit swollen. One on the right side of my neck has been really swollen for over a week… and I realize that's because of a canker sore I have on that side of my mouth. Even at stage 3, the lymph nodes in my neck that are swollen are of no concern. You have no reason to worry. 

      All the best,

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Neck lymph nodes are the most reactive lymph nodes we have in our bodies. The slightest bit of anything that needs to be fought off and they swell up. During allergy season my neck lymph nodes are always a bit swollen. One on the right side of my neck has been really swollen for over a week… and I realize that's because of a canker sore I have on that side of my mouth. Even at stage 3, the lymph nodes in my neck that are swollen are of no concern. You have no reason to worry. 

      All the best,

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:17 pm
      jennunicorn
      Participant

      Neck lymph nodes are the most reactive lymph nodes we have in our bodies. The slightest bit of anything that needs to be fought off and they swell up. During allergy season my neck lymph nodes are always a bit swollen. One on the right side of my neck has been really swollen for over a week… and I realize that's because of a canker sore I have on that side of my mouth. Even at stage 3, the lymph nodes in my neck that are swollen are of no concern. You have no reason to worry. 

      All the best,

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:26 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your words of reassurance. Every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't. It is wonderful to have this place to come to for calming advice.

         

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:26 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your words of reassurance. Every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't. It is wonderful to have this place to come to for calming advice.

         

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:26 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your words of reassurance. Every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't. It is wonderful to have this place to come to for calming advice.

         

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:19 pm
      Joycem
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      I wouldn't worry. Swollen lymph nodes in neck or chin very common following viral/bacterial/allergy. They take a while to go back to normal. 

      I think your profile said lesion was on leg, so if your groin lymph nodes were swollen with no apparent cause, you would want to check that out. Still could have other causes beside mel. 

      Still sucky that we worry about every little thing anyway.  Your practitioner will probably reassure you at follow up, so nice you have that coming up. 

      Best wishes, 

      Joyce

       

       

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:19 pm
      Joycem
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      I wouldn't worry. Swollen lymph nodes in neck or chin very common following viral/bacterial/allergy. They take a while to go back to normal. 

      I think your profile said lesion was on leg, so if your groin lymph nodes were swollen with no apparent cause, you would want to check that out. Still could have other causes beside mel. 

      Still sucky that we worry about every little thing anyway.  Your practitioner will probably reassure you at follow up, so nice you have that coming up. 

      Best wishes, 

      Joyce

       

       

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:19 pm
      Joycem
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      I wouldn't worry. Swollen lymph nodes in neck or chin very common following viral/bacterial/allergy. They take a while to go back to normal. 

      I think your profile said lesion was on leg, so if your groin lymph nodes were swollen with no apparent cause, you would want to check that out. Still could have other causes beside mel. 

      Still sucky that we worry about every little thing anyway.  Your practitioner will probably reassure you at follow up, so nice you have that coming up. 

      Best wishes, 

      Joyce

       

       

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you so much for your words of reassurance. every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't!

        best to you,

        Beth

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you so much for your words of reassurance. every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't!

        best to you,

        Beth

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:27 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you so much for your words of reassurance. every little thing makes me worry, even if it shouldn't!

        best to you,

        Beth

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:23 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      Don't panic. If primary was on your calf if you were one of the small percentage of unlucky ones who progress then the lymph nodeds likely to be affected would've the nearest drainage basin. In your case this would be the groin. Next, melanoma in lymph nodes does not feel tender…instead they are firm and not painful. If your problem is viral…it will just take time to get better and the antibiotics will make no difference to the speed of your recovery….

      I would mention it at your check up..as confirmation from a medical professional will help to calm any nagging doubts.

      Hope this helps

      Deb

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:23 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      Don't panic. If primary was on your calf if you were one of the small percentage of unlucky ones who progress then the lymph nodeds likely to be affected would've the nearest drainage basin. In your case this would be the groin. Next, melanoma in lymph nodes does not feel tender…instead they are firm and not painful. If your problem is viral…it will just take time to get better and the antibiotics will make no difference to the speed of your recovery….

      I would mention it at your check up..as confirmation from a medical professional will help to calm any nagging doubts.

      Hope this helps

      Deb

      • September 19, 2016 at 3:23 pm
      debwray
      Participant

      Hi Beth,

      Don't panic. If primary was on your calf if you were one of the small percentage of unlucky ones who progress then the lymph nodeds likely to be affected would've the nearest drainage basin. In your case this would be the groin. Next, melanoma in lymph nodes does not feel tender…instead they are firm and not painful. If your problem is viral…it will just take time to get better and the antibiotics will make no difference to the speed of your recovery….

      I would mention it at your check up..as confirmation from a medical professional will help to calm any nagging doubts.

      Hope this helps

      Deb

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:28 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you for taking the time to reply. Its so nice to have a community to come to when we have these worrisome thoughts.

        best to you.

        Beth 

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:28 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you for taking the time to reply. Its so nice to have a community to come to when we have these worrisome thoughts.

        best to you.

        Beth 

        • September 19, 2016 at 3:28 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        thank you for taking the time to reply. Its so nice to have a community to come to when we have these worrisome thoughts.

        best to you.

        Beth 

      • September 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Now for the horror story…

      My Mom went to her GP about a lump on her neck (there was no pain or redness). The GP sent her to a ENT. The ENT saw her and thought she had a sinus infection. She was treated for about a month and saw the ENT the day she came back from vacation. They did a biopsy 4 days later.

      Within 2 weeks we found out she had Stage IV Melanoma. Within another 3 weeks we found out the radiologist missed the brain mets (brain cancer).

      You could have and probably do have a simple sinus infection and the meds will work. IF you have any other issues OR the lumps don't disappear in the next few weeks get a biopsy sooner vs later.

      See: Lymph Nodes and Cancer

       

       

      • September 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Now for the horror story…

      My Mom went to her GP about a lump on her neck (there was no pain or redness). The GP sent her to a ENT. The ENT saw her and thought she had a sinus infection. She was treated for about a month and saw the ENT the day she came back from vacation. They did a biopsy 4 days later.

      Within 2 weeks we found out she had Stage IV Melanoma. Within another 3 weeks we found out the radiologist missed the brain mets (brain cancer).

      You could have and probably do have a simple sinus infection and the meds will work. IF you have any other issues OR the lumps don't disappear in the next few weeks get a biopsy sooner vs later.

      See: Lymph Nodes and Cancer

       

       

      • September 19, 2016 at 8:00 pm
      Patina
      Participant

      Now for the horror story…

      My Mom went to her GP about a lump on her neck (there was no pain or redness). The GP sent her to a ENT. The ENT saw her and thought she had a sinus infection. She was treated for about a month and saw the ENT the day she came back from vacation. They did a biopsy 4 days later.

      Within 2 weeks we found out she had Stage IV Melanoma. Within another 3 weeks we found out the radiologist missed the brain mets (brain cancer).

      You could have and probably do have a simple sinus infection and the meds will work. IF you have any other issues OR the lumps don't disappear in the next few weeks get a biopsy sooner vs later.

      See: Lymph Nodes and Cancer

       

       

        • September 19, 2016 at 9:32 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Did you mom have a prior Melanoma diagnosis? If so, what stage and where was it located? 

        • September 19, 2016 at 9:32 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Did you mom have a prior Melanoma diagnosis? If so, what stage and where was it located? 

        • September 19, 2016 at 9:32 pm
        Beth606
        Participant

        Did you mom have a prior Melanoma diagnosis? If so, what stage and where was it located? 

        • September 20, 2016 at 4:19 pm
        Patina
        Participant
        No prior diagnosis. Straight to Stage IV. They have never found a primary.
        • September 20, 2016 at 4:19 pm
        Patina
        Participant
        No prior diagnosis. Straight to Stage IV. They have never found a primary.
        • September 20, 2016 at 4:19 pm
        Patina
        Participant
        No prior diagnosis. Straight to Stage IV. They have never found a primary.
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