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Tiny Lump Removed

Forums General Melanoma Community Tiny Lump Removed

  • Post
    JoshF
    Participant

    Good Morning!!! I found a tiny lump in my armpit the other day and it didn;t seem deep. I talked with my onc and she suggested going to derm, which I did this morning. He flet it, didn;t seem concerned as it was superficial and did a 6mm punch and dug it out. Of course I'm on edge and sked if it's a node. He said nodes in armpit aren't usually superficial and he felt if it was, he wouldn;t remove it and refer me to surgeon. He wanted to take out due to my history and give peace of mind. Well now waiting game which brings out all kinds of anxiety and thoughts running through my head. Anyone have similiar experience or have anyhing they can add in terms of superficial lumps…cyst, lipoma etc…. I'm grateful that I've been fortunate given my experiences with melanoma, I always know it could be worse but that's the thing with this crap….I tend to expect worst. Life of a cancer patient…..

     

    Josh

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      AnitaLoree
      Participant

      Hey Josh:  Hope you've got good news back: neg node, but….once with melanoma, for patient and spouse, seems it's always tucked 'way in the back of the mind: if, when, the next shoe will drop. Good to get right in rather than angst. Since recognizing that zipping along the freeways is statistically the most dangerous thing most of us do, we've taken to living each day much more fully and laughing a lot more for starters. So what are the odds of both melanoma and a car wreck? Mmmm bad tumor humor. A.L.

      AnitaLoree
      Participant

      Hey Josh:  Hope you've got good news back: neg node, but….once with melanoma, for patient and spouse, seems it's always tucked 'way in the back of the mind: if, when, the next shoe will drop. Good to get right in rather than angst. Since recognizing that zipping along the freeways is statistically the most dangerous thing most of us do, we've taken to living each day much more fully and laughing a lot more for starters. So what are the odds of both melanoma and a car wreck? Mmmm bad tumor humor. A.L.

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Anita. Hopefully find out in a couple of days. Remain hopeful it's a cyst or something other than Mel. It is one heck of a ride!

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Anita. Hopefully find out in a couple of days. Remain hopeful it's a cyst or something other than Mel. It is one heck of a ride!

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Anita. Hopefully find out in a couple of days. Remain hopeful it's a cyst or something other than Mel. It is one heck of a ride!

      AnitaLoree
      Participant

      Hey Josh:  Hope you've got good news back: neg node, but….once with melanoma, for patient and spouse, seems it's always tucked 'way in the back of the mind: if, when, the next shoe will drop. Good to get right in rather than angst. Since recognizing that zipping along the freeways is statistically the most dangerous thing most of us do, we've taken to living each day much more fully and laughing a lot more for starters. So what are the odds of both melanoma and a car wreck? Mmmm bad tumor humor. A.L.

      stars
      Participant

      Hi Josh – waiting for pathology is the absolute worst. I tend to swing between staying busy (house is never cleaner than during these times) and lying around catastrophising over the worst. Next time, I resolve to do nice things for myself instead – maybe watch a whole series of a funny show or something – so that at least there is some bearability to the whole awful wait. I've got no expereince in terms of the lump you found, but 100% empathise with the waiting for pathology part.

      stars
      Participant

      Hi Josh – waiting for pathology is the absolute worst. I tend to swing between staying busy (house is never cleaner than during these times) and lying around catastrophising over the worst. Next time, I resolve to do nice things for myself instead – maybe watch a whole series of a funny show or something – so that at least there is some bearability to the whole awful wait. I've got no expereince in terms of the lump you found, but 100% empathise with the waiting for pathology part.

      stars
      Participant

      Hi Josh – waiting for pathology is the absolute worst. I tend to swing between staying busy (house is never cleaner than during these times) and lying around catastrophising over the worst. Next time, I resolve to do nice things for myself instead – maybe watch a whole series of a funny show or something – so that at least there is some bearability to the whole awful wait. I've got no expereince in terms of the lump you found, but 100% empathise with the waiting for pathology part.

      Bubbles
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      Not really the same…but several years ago…my onc and peeps got worried about a "lump" I had at the end of a scar left from surgical excision of a superficial melanoma lesion.  On removal it turned out to be a neuroma (just a lump of nerves) that had developed along the scar.  Most just posting to let you know I'm thinking of you and wishing you well!!!  Love, c

      Bubbles
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      Not really the same…but several years ago…my onc and peeps got worried about a "lump" I had at the end of a scar left from surgical excision of a superficial melanoma lesion.  On removal it turned out to be a neuroma (just a lump of nerves) that had developed along the scar.  Most just posting to let you know I'm thinking of you and wishing you well!!!  Love, c

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Celeste…really appreciate it. You know the worst part is the waiting and wondering. I play through all the scenarios in my head…

        Josh

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Celeste…really appreciate it. You know the worst part is the waiting and wondering. I play through all the scenarios in my head…

        Josh

        JoshF
        Participant

        Thanks Celeste…really appreciate it. You know the worst part is the waiting and wondering. I play through all the scenarios in my head…

        Josh

      Bubbles
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      Not really the same…but several years ago…my onc and peeps got worried about a "lump" I had at the end of a scar left from surgical excision of a superficial melanoma lesion.  On removal it turned out to be a neuroma (just a lump of nerves) that had developed along the scar.  Most just posting to let you know I'm thinking of you and wishing you well!!!  Love, c

      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      I felt a bb sized lump, just off of my WLE scar….<gulp>.   I went to the doc, he opened to have a peak, and it turned out to be a little ganglion cyst.  Hang in there Josh….

       

      all the vest!

      Stan

      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      I felt a bb sized lump, just off of my WLE scar….<gulp>.   I went to the doc, he opened to have a peak, and it turned out to be a little ganglion cyst.  Hang in there Josh….

       

      all the vest!

      Stan

      SABKLYN
      Participant

      Hey Josh,

      I felt a bb sized lump, just off of my WLE scar….<gulp>.   I went to the doc, he opened to have a peak, and it turned out to be a little ganglion cyst.  Hang in there Josh….

       

      all the vest!

      Stan

      JoshF
      Participant

      Thanks for responses. As we all know just have to wait and see. I've driven myself crazy enough by researching if lymph nodes in arm pit are superficial or deep. Research cysts and potential other causes…driving myself nuts. I just thought I had this beat 3rd time around…maybe I do. Praying that's the case.

      Josh

      JoshF
      Participant

      Thanks for responses. As we all know just have to wait and see. I've driven myself crazy enough by researching if lymph nodes in arm pit are superficial or deep. Research cysts and potential other causes…driving myself nuts. I just thought I had this beat 3rd time around…maybe I do. Praying that's the case.

      Josh

      JoshF
      Participant

      Thanks for responses. As we all know just have to wait and see. I've driven myself crazy enough by researching if lymph nodes in arm pit are superficial or deep. Research cysts and potential other causes…driving myself nuts. I just thought I had this beat 3rd time around…maybe I do. Praying that's the case.

      Josh

      Janner
      Participant

      Have you considered an ingrown hair?  A punch won't get a lymph node, only skin tissue.  Any lymph node would not be part of the skin itself and certainly not reachable with a shave or punch biopsy.  Those biopsy types rarely make it thru the subcutaneous fat and a lymph node would be beyond that and most likely a discrete structure.

      Janner
      Participant

      Have you considered an ingrown hair?  A punch won't get a lymph node, only skin tissue.  Any lymph node would not be part of the skin itself and certainly not reachable with a shave or punch biopsy.  Those biopsy types rarely make it thru the subcutaneous fat and a lymph node would be beyond that and most likely a discrete structure.

        JoshF
        Participant

        No didn't consider ingrown hair…nothing on surface though I guess that wouldn't matter but wouldn't you see a hair once removed? My derm said same thing about node, that they're deeper. He did the punch, squeezed around for a few seconds then cut out the little bump. I couldn't help but be concerned it was a lymph node. Maybe an inflamed sweat gland? Time will tell…thanks for response!!!

        Josh

        JoshF
        Participant

        No didn't consider ingrown hair…nothing on surface though I guess that wouldn't matter but wouldn't you see a hair once removed? My derm said same thing about node, that they're deeper. He did the punch, squeezed around for a few seconds then cut out the little bump. I couldn't help but be concerned it was a lymph node. Maybe an inflamed sweat gland? Time will tell…thanks for response!!!

        Josh

        Swanee
        Participant

        Hi Josh! I saw your post the other day and thought of  your other recurrances showing up as a small bump first and wondered if this small bump is like all the others.  I'm stage IV and our stories are similar in that the way it was discovered and similar experiences with the somewhat indolent nature of our melanoma, compared to others.  Small bumps can be many things and it's possible it's melanoma, but we hope not!  One important lesson I've learned on my journey with melanoma is make the most of whatever time you have and live life to it's full potential.  With that being said, I know it's hard sometimes but I always remind myself that every moment I let melanoma control me I'm backsliding in my fight against melanoma.  There may come a day when melanoma takes over, but until then I work hard not to worry until there is real evidence to prove to me there is cause for my worry. I think of it like,  a bad person who does something ugly, an innocent person is hurt and then the media spends all there coverage focusing on this bad person, that is so wrong! I have spent the last five years on this roller coaster and I know how hard it can be, but I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones,compared to so many  others here on mpip. Thinking positive thoughts for you and your family and post as soon as you can!

        Take care,

        Swanee  

        Swanee
        Participant

        Hi Josh! I saw your post the other day and thought of  your other recurrances showing up as a small bump first and wondered if this small bump is like all the others.  I'm stage IV and our stories are similar in that the way it was discovered and similar experiences with the somewhat indolent nature of our melanoma, compared to others.  Small bumps can be many things and it's possible it's melanoma, but we hope not!  One important lesson I've learned on my journey with melanoma is make the most of whatever time you have and live life to it's full potential.  With that being said, I know it's hard sometimes but I always remind myself that every moment I let melanoma control me I'm backsliding in my fight against melanoma.  There may come a day when melanoma takes over, but until then I work hard not to worry until there is real evidence to prove to me there is cause for my worry. I think of it like,  a bad person who does something ugly, an innocent person is hurt and then the media spends all there coverage focusing on this bad person, that is so wrong! I have spent the last five years on this roller coaster and I know how hard it can be, but I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones,compared to so many  others here on mpip. Thinking positive thoughts for you and your family and post as soon as you can!

        Take care,

        Swanee  

        Swanee
        Participant

        Hi Josh! I saw your post the other day and thought of  your other recurrances showing up as a small bump first and wondered if this small bump is like all the others.  I'm stage IV and our stories are similar in that the way it was discovered and similar experiences with the somewhat indolent nature of our melanoma, compared to others.  Small bumps can be many things and it's possible it's melanoma, but we hope not!  One important lesson I've learned on my journey with melanoma is make the most of whatever time you have and live life to it's full potential.  With that being said, I know it's hard sometimes but I always remind myself that every moment I let melanoma control me I'm backsliding in my fight against melanoma.  There may come a day when melanoma takes over, but until then I work hard not to worry until there is real evidence to prove to me there is cause for my worry. I think of it like,  a bad person who does something ugly, an innocent person is hurt and then the media spends all there coverage focusing on this bad person, that is so wrong! I have spent the last five years on this roller coaster and I know how hard it can be, but I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones,compared to so many  others here on mpip. Thinking positive thoughts for you and your family and post as soon as you can!

        Take care,

        Swanee  

        JoshF
        Participant

        No didn't consider ingrown hair…nothing on surface though I guess that wouldn't matter but wouldn't you see a hair once removed? My derm said same thing about node, that they're deeper. He did the punch, squeezed around for a few seconds then cut out the little bump. I couldn't help but be concerned it was a lymph node. Maybe an inflamed sweat gland? Time will tell…thanks for response!!!

        Josh

      Janner
      Participant

      Have you considered an ingrown hair?  A punch won't get a lymph node, only skin tissue.  Any lymph node would not be part of the skin itself and certainly not reachable with a shave or punch biopsy.  Those biopsy types rarely make it thru the subcutaneous fat and a lymph node would be beyond that and most likely a discrete structure.

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