@pekoe
Forum Replies Created
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- August 7, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Hi there,
I was a Stage II in 2002, and advanced to Stage IIIb in 2009 when I felt a lump in my left axilla. My oncologist would always check out my lymph nodes during my visits, but I was down to seeing him just once a year, and I was the one that found the lump.
One night after holding my new grandson quite a bit, my left axilla area was very sore. I was rubbing to try and ease the pain, and felt a lump that felt slightly bigger than a grape. It was definitely hard, and somewhat tender to the touch. My husband also felt the lump. I called my pcp because she is easier to get in to see, and set up an appt. After ultrasound and biopsy (during which the radiologist told that "it didn't look like melanoma – it wasn't black throughout the sample"), it came back positive for melanoma. I had a LND and had 26 nodes removed, only one positive for melanoma. It was the size of a golf ball.
If you are feeling a hard lump that size, don't fool around with it. Get it checked out quickly.
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- August 7, 2011 at 3:59 pm
Hi there,
I was a Stage II in 2002, and advanced to Stage IIIb in 2009 when I felt a lump in my left axilla. My oncologist would always check out my lymph nodes during my visits, but I was down to seeing him just once a year, and I was the one that found the lump.
One night after holding my new grandson quite a bit, my left axilla area was very sore. I was rubbing to try and ease the pain, and felt a lump that felt slightly bigger than a grape. It was definitely hard, and somewhat tender to the touch. My husband also felt the lump. I called my pcp because she is easier to get in to see, and set up an appt. After ultrasound and biopsy (during which the radiologist told that "it didn't look like melanoma – it wasn't black throughout the sample"), it came back positive for melanoma. I had a LND and had 26 nodes removed, only one positive for melanoma. It was the size of a golf ball.
If you are feeling a hard lump that size, don't fool around with it. Get it checked out quickly.
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- March 21, 2011 at 3:16 am
Bonnie Lee, you don't know me from Adam, but I am one of those that view posts and then don't respond. I just wanted to let you know that I love to read your posts – you are always so honest with your feelings, and you always try to find the humor even when you're down. I hope you don't stop posting.
If I were more witty, I would try to join in the conversation on this side of the board, but I just can't think of anything clever to say. I do enjoy reading, though.
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- March 21, 2011 at 3:16 am
Bonnie Lee, you don't know me from Adam, but I am one of those that view posts and then don't respond. I just wanted to let you know that I love to read your posts – you are always so honest with your feelings, and you always try to find the humor even when you're down. I hope you don't stop posting.
If I were more witty, I would try to join in the conversation on this side of the board, but I just can't think of anything clever to say. I do enjoy reading, though.
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- November 22, 2010 at 4:04 am
Rebecca, I haven't had intestinal mets, but I have had problems with burning and severe stomach aches for the past 7 or 8 months, plus a fair amount of nausea. My oncologist ordered an endoscopy for me after my hemoglobin dropped (I went from mildly anemic to just above moderate anemic). The endoscopy showed that I had gastritis (the beginning of an ulcer), but also a 2 cm nodule. I had just had a clean PET/CT scan, but they sent me on for an endoscopic ultrasound to be safe. I am now waiting for the results of the biopsy, but right after the procedure the doc told me it looked like a build-up of scar tissue from severe gastritis, and didn't think it was anything to worry about.
Can Bob get an ultrasound? The equipment is apparently very expensive – there are only 4 places in the Phoenix, AZ, area that have them. But all the doctors I spoke with were emphatic that I should not rely on the PET/CT scan and go ahead with the ultrasound.
By the way, they put me on Nexxium right after the first endoscopy and my symptoms have definitely calmed down. Anyway, healing energy is definitely heading your way.
Vera
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- November 22, 2010 at 4:04 am
Rebecca, I haven't had intestinal mets, but I have had problems with burning and severe stomach aches for the past 7 or 8 months, plus a fair amount of nausea. My oncologist ordered an endoscopy for me after my hemoglobin dropped (I went from mildly anemic to just above moderate anemic). The endoscopy showed that I had gastritis (the beginning of an ulcer), but also a 2 cm nodule. I had just had a clean PET/CT scan, but they sent me on for an endoscopic ultrasound to be safe. I am now waiting for the results of the biopsy, but right after the procedure the doc told me it looked like a build-up of scar tissue from severe gastritis, and didn't think it was anything to worry about.
Can Bob get an ultrasound? The equipment is apparently very expensive – there are only 4 places in the Phoenix, AZ, area that have them. But all the doctors I spoke with were emphatic that I should not rely on the PET/CT scan and go ahead with the ultrasound.
By the way, they put me on Nexxium right after the first endoscopy and my symptoms have definitely calmed down. Anyway, healing energy is definitely heading your way.
Vera
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- November 5, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I hope you're right, TinaR. I fear that the number of "rational" Americans is diminishing by the day. It doesn't seem to matter that there is NO substance in most of what the Republicans have to say, but they are gosh-darn great at coming up with snappy soundbites that seem to convince over half the population that they speak the truth.
I look at the governor we just re-elected in Arizona and shudder. I think I need to just stop following politics for a while – it's bad for my blood pressure and my soul.
