chevygal
Veteran
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 504
Loc: Way down south
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Hey
I was wondering if any of you all have any experience with what I am going to ask. I have been debating whether to ask this question cause I wasn't sure how to put this in words and also that anyone would understand what I am trying to ask. I know I read somewhere if you happen to find a lump, say under your arm, as long as you can move it around it is usually nothing to worry about. I hope this makes sense and ya understand what I am trying to ask here. It would be like if you put your finger on it and it moves a bit and it is not stationary or does not feel as though it is attached to anything. I also remember reading something to the effect that if there is pain in the lump it is usually nothing to worry about, but if there is no pain you might should have it checked. I know this sounds kind of weird, but some of you all have been through lots of stuff and I was wanting to know if anyone had ever heard this. Thank you all in advance for any replies you might have.
chevygal
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Mine
Enthusiast
Reged: 08/03/02
Posts: 200
Loc: Northeast USA
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I know what you are talking about, and that is a good sign if it moves, BUT, that doesn't mean 100% that it's nothing to worry about. The pain is also a good sign, but if you have one it's still important to have it checked out.
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padmakara
Member
Reged: 09/16/03
Posts: 136
Loc: Chiang Mai
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What you're describing is the difference between swollen lymph nodes (you have many under your arm) and potential tumors. You should check out some info about swollen lymph nodes on the net. From here, it says
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003099.htm
"Lumps in the armpit (axilla) may arise from various causes. Cysts and superficial infections in the skin of the armpit may follow shaving or use of antiperspirants (as compared to deodorants). This occurs most frequently in adolescents just beginning to shave. Subcutaneousabscesses may also produce large painful lumps in the axilla.
Lumps may be produced by enlargement of the lymph nodes secondary to bacterial infections, viral infections, antigenic stimulation (as from vaccinations), and malignancy. A breast self-examination should always include the armpit because breast cancer can enlarge the armpit lymph nodes even when the breast itself seems perfectly normal.
Lymph nodes are filters that can catch malignant tumor cells or infectious organisms. When they do, lymph nodes increase in size and are easily felt. "
It is very common for bacterial infections to cause swollen lymph nodes. This site reccomends getting a professional opinion. But if you search around, there are sites that talk about the differences you mention, if there is pain or not pain, etc, and what this could indicate. Sorry I don't know off the top of my head, but if you search around you can find the info. Hope that's a start
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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Chevy, I'm NOT trying to scare you at all, please don't take it that way, but it could be so many things and having a mother and maternal aunt who both died from breast cancer (and I'm NOT implying that that is what it could be at all either) but in IMHO, the safest thing is to get thee to a Dr. If it's nothing, wonderful!! But it's always best to be on the safe side, no matter where the lump is and whether it hurts or not. I know, I'm a 3 time cancer survivor myself and still kickin and mean as you know what (LOL) because I always have the Dr. check anything that is possibly suspicious. Once again. please don't jump all over me anyone, I just want Chevy to play it safe and be here on DB with us for a loooooooong time to come! 
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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I had identical symptoms with an identical mindset about what constituted a need to see the doctor or not. My lymph nodes contained precancerous cells for which I was treated exactly as if I already had cancer, including chemotherapy. This was a year ago and I've had 4 nodes removed as a preventative measure. PLEASE GET IT CHECKED OUT ASAP!!! 
Best of luck!
night_shade
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 874
Loc: usa
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chevygal...GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! could be nothing, could be lymphoma...not trying to scare you but a swollen lymph node is quite pliable....but can indicate infection or something more ominous....early intervention is the success to a cure if it is something more ominous...& this is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to wait on. Make an appointment TODAY, PLEASE....and please post that you have or PM me...so I don't have to worry about you...I read you so often here I feel like I know you....PROMISE ME YOU"LL CALL TODAY!
Best if kept off the board
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lemniscate
Stranger
Reged: 09/24/03
Posts: 24
Loc: Jackson, MS
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its just a swollen lymphnode. i get them all the time in the same place. nothing to worry about. doc will tell you the same thing but charge you to say it
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catmom
Board Addict
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Midwest
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Put my vote in with the "it's best to get in checked by a doc" camp. I don't believe in going to docs for every little thing, but last May I found a lump in my breast & I freaked! It turned out that it was an oil cyst secondary to a car accident I had about 2 years ago where the shoulder belt caused soft tissue damage to my chest. I hated the mammogram  but it was sure a relief to know for sure that the lump was nothing to worry about.   Let us all know what you find out chevygal. You are a valued part of this board & we care about you!!!
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If it's not immediate, it's not gratification.
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 874
Loc: usa
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ever heard of lymphoma, it's cancer...the hallmark symptom is a swollen lymph node! It's also one of the MOST curable forms of cancer if caught early..and one of the most deadly & ravaging if not ..so telling someone to just ignore a swollen lymphnode is not good advice & hopefully, if you've chosen that course, our friend here will not
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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IMSUSCOT1~~ You beat me to the punch on that post! I had a few things to say also, but you said it much better. Chevy, once again, we are all saying this because we care and I just know it's going to be nothing, but as 'momma' used to say, better safe than sorry.
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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chevygal
Veteran
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 504
Loc: Way down south
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Hey
Thank you so much for the care and concern. WOW! That sure did mean alot to me. I will go have it looked at reluctantly. Like you said, it is better to be safe than sorry and I look at it as if it is something that can be taken care of now, do it while it will not cost so much as if you would have let it go so long and then are really sick. I will go on the 7th oct. It does just make ya ill to have to spend the money but I reckon it is the right thing to do. Thank you all SOOOOOO much. You all are so cool. I will let ya'll know next week what it is or isn't. Thanks a bunch
chevygal
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prettyday
Threadhead
Reged: 02/09/03
Posts: 924
Loc: Coastal Sage Scrub
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I would definitely go...and then, insist on your right for a second opinion if you get either shrugged off too quickly, or hustled into the surgery schedule
!!!
Hey! I have about three threads that are really worth sharing with my dear friends like you and I can say this one quick. I started going back to acupuncture and my dr found a deposit that needs to be 'lanced' or needled out---this is one case where I would go with the Western medicine first--but if you find out it is non toxic but it bugs you, go see an acupuncture guy as one might be able to dissolve it. In the meantime I really wish you would find out what it is as I will be worrying and worrying.....
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First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
- Mahatma Gandhi
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IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 874
Loc: usa
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Thank you SO much for making that appointment! Yes, I know it would be horrible if it's nothing....but trust me I now work in a center who see's cancer patient's and we have SO many advanced cases of lymphoma's of various types, because otherwise young, healthy people noticed a "lump" that didn't hurt & thought was nothing....by the time they've gotten to us, the spread is catastrophic....I don't want to worry you...but I don't want you to ignore it either...so it makes me feel so much better that your going....also given fact your a female, other concern is also breast cancer...in which a primary lump may not be palpable but has spread to lymph nodes....lymph nodes DO NOT SWELL for no reason...EVER, so I'm glad you're getting it checked...after seeing some of you on the boards so frequently, it' sort of like knowing you, and I do worry about you...so GOOD GIRL  I will say a special prayer its a cyst and nothing more.....
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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How long have you had it CG? My rule of thumb is if it hangs around more than a week, I go get it checked. I just had one in my arm checked. It's a pretty hard lump about the size of a pencil eraser. Doc said it was a fatty tumor and not to worry.
My mother found a lump in her breast which turned out to be non malignant as well.
On the flip side, my brother had a lump that he did go to the doctor for and the doc said not to worry, and let go. Even though the lump got bigger and more followed he didn't get a 2nd opinion. He's been dead now for 20 plus years. Turns out it was malignancy that if caught early enough, was 95% curable.
Glad you are going CG. Get it checked. If your doc says it is nothing, and then it gets worse or you get more, get a second opinion. It is probably nothing, but better to catch these things early.
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Jordan530
WonderWoman
Reged: 11/20/02
Posts: 597
Loc: The Left Coast of Florida
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I am SO glad you made the appointment!!! Please keep us 'posted'
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'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand'
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