Hi! I'm back...with small mass on left side

[ktfabian]

Hi everyone.   I've missed you as I took some time off to get my son ready for training before his deployment to Iraq. Then I took some more time getting myself ready for his deployment to Iraq (not sure I'll ever be ready.  Anyway, last Tuesday, ,y massage therapist noticed a small lump in the area of my left rib cage. I went to see my doctor, and she could definitely feel it, about an inch wide,  maybe two inches long running perpendicular to my ribs.  It's sore at times.  I went today for a Ct scan where I drank a die before hand that tasted like two cups of koolaid, then they ran additional dye during the test and took one more picture.  My family doctor said this could be an infected lymph node or inflammed artery.  Has anyone else had anything like this?  It has me a bit concerned.  And I'm still scheduled for surgery next Tuesday to move my morphine pump.  I'm pretty pooped out at this point and would like the question of what the lump is before the surgery.

It's good to talk to you all again,
Tracy

PS. I wrote this out once and it dissappeared in a big poof.  If it shows up on the list, I apologize for posting twide

[Scottietottie]

Hi Tracy 

I can imagine you NEVER being ready for your son being posted to Iraq. It must be very hard putting a brave face on for him. I guess he sees it as part of his chosen career and one that he's proud to do.

Will they get the scan results before the morphine pump op? Obviously the sooner you know about any lump, the better. At least they're on to it and hopefully will act quickly.

Take care - Scottie 

[JannaLee]

Sending my concern and support to you Tracy!

I sure hope this is just a tiny blip on the screen of life (I mean both your lump and your son's deployment!)

Janna

[irish]

TRacy, I can't imagine ever adjusting to your son being in Iraq, but just taking one day at a time would be all one could manage---at least that is all I could.

As for your lump, that sounds like a weird one but then we sjoggies always have weird stuff. Good that you got it scanned. I am just betting that down the road they will want to biopsy it. Can't say I blame them because how else would you know what it really is. Let us know how this comes out and remember we are all thinking of youo and sending prayers your way. Irish

[eyeamdry]

Be sure and get the lump biopsied..........probably nothing.....but will be good to have proof.  Good luck, lucy

[Pooh]

Good luck Tracy with everything, son's deployment, ct scan and surgery.  Let us know how it all comes out.  I pray it will all be for the best. 

God Bless your son and all of those who will there with him.  They are truly the best of the best in my book. 

Hugs, Pooh

[ktfabian]

Thanks everyone..for your good wishes for me and my son.  As for me, I was wondering about having it biopsied.  It came on rather fast and I've been feeling kind-off "off" lately, but thought that could very well be attributed to my son leaving.  I'll feel much better when I know what it is (of course, the mind runs the gamut of all the possibilities - none of them good!)

I'll let you know as soon as I do,
Tracy

[genko_b]

If you have been feeling kind of "off" lately, you have certainly come by that feeling honestly on a number of fronts. But finding out what it is will definitely be better than not knowing. At leas t you know how to direct your energy at that point.

Take care. I understand how you feel about your son going off to Iraq. I am glad to have mine home again, but I know it means that someone else's son is there instead.

Genko

[ktfabian]

I was just talking to my husband tonight and finally voiced my fears - which could be totally unfounded or not - I worry that this will found to be lymphoma.  I don't know enough about lymphoma to rule it out or in at this point, only what I've read about the higher risk of lymphoma amoung women who have Sjogren's. and a higher level among women who get Rituxan treatments.  I'm probably so far off base here (I hope, anyway) that folks in the know

[ktfabian]

sorry, I accidentally hit send, but I was saying that folks in the know probably think I'm nuts.  But I can't get the though out of my mind since seeing my family doctor had described what I considered a small lump as a "mass" on the form.  It's funny how one small word can send you over the deep end.

I've been sleeping all day rather than deal with anything, so I guess now I'll go to bed until I can call the doctor tomorrow.

Thanks for listening to this silly old woman, Tracy

[Tinker]

Tracy,

I'm so glad your docs are taking this seriously and checking it out.  It does sound scary but then again, until you get the biopsy results, just take it one day at a time.

It may be nothing at all and think of all the worrying you've done for nothing. 

I'm not trying to minimize this as I would be worried as you are. 

Know that all of us will be with you through this and sending you peaceful vibes for a B9 biopsy.  ♥♥♥

[Scottietottie]

Hi Tracy 

If it's even a crumb of comfort - I've read that the lymphoma that can go along with Sjogren's usually responds well to treatment! Fingers crossed still that it's not that.

Take care - Scottie 

[ktfabian]

Scottie (and everyone), I'll take every crumb of comfort I can get tonight.  I'd spoken with my doctor's main assistant earlier in the day and she was going to do everything she could to get the results of the Ct scan to me before she went home.  Since it's 5:30, that doesn't seem likely. 

It seems like there are more lumps, moving up under my arm, and the original one is bigger.  They're tender, too. With my brain on overload as it is already, all I can do is think the worse.

Ever pragmatic, my husband says if I do need a biopsy, perhaps it can be done next week when I'm having surgery to reposition my morphine pump.  The pump in is my lower right abdomen, the lumps are in my upper left.  Seems like they should be able to work together, right?

Well, I guess I'll have to wait til tomorrow for more news.  Thanks for the comfort and support.  Even after not being here for a while, I knew you all would understand,
Tracy

[JannaLee]

Wow, today certainly ranks high in the "SCARIEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE" category!

My dear Tracy I'm praying like mad for a BENIGN result!

I'm so sorry for this terrible episode!
Janna

[SeaBreeze]

Just wanted to say hi from another person thinking of you and praying that this is all turns out ok.
Thank you for supporting your son while he defends our country...