About my lump (gosh that sounds awful, but how else do I say it?)

Debby,

What an awful experience you had. I wish I could come over and give you a big hug.

Years ago a male friend of mine had cat scratch fever so bad that he had to have surgery. I hadn't thought about it before, but now that you have reminded me about it, his symptoms are almost exactly what you described...tiredness, sweats, and a big lump under his arm. Wow! That would just be too much if all of this was caused by a cat scratch!

I am keeping you in my thoughts!

By the way, I've had two surgical breast biopsies. Although it is no fun to have surgery, the breast biopsy is really easy to get through. I didn't even have to take any pain medicine afterward because for some reason it just didn't hurt. So, don't be frightened of the surgery! It will be much less uncomfortable than the mammogram was!

Debby, your regular doctor can run a blood test to find out if you have the vulnerablity to Cat Scratch Fever. My sister had the same thing happen to her, on her wrist, and when they did the surgery they actually found a cat's claw embedded in her bone! She remembered being scratched, but had no idea the cat left behind a souvenir. Some people are more susceptible to CSF or that's what my sister's doctor said and a blood test can tell them.

Here is a link:CatScratch


Hugs sis!!! ((((((()))))))))

Thank you!!!! And Hissy, I'm going to go check the link out now! I hope this is all it is and not some type of cancer. Thanks for posting the link for me sis!

It also sounds like cat scratch, a friend of mine had it under his armpit also. You know, it sounds like the cysts that I get in my lower region areas and on my spine, I get them pretty often and they spread and feel like thick tentacles and cause an awful lot of pain. The one on my tailbone, I thought I had pulled muscles but it became worse to the point that I couldn't even move without crying, even after taking antibiotics, so the doc slit it open and sure enough it was a cyst filled to the brim with icky stuff that poured out, etc (sorry for the graphics ). I cried the entire time because the SOB only gave me one local anesthesia and I could still feel him when he cut it and I told him I was going to slit his throat with it, by then I was too much in tears. It took a few days to get back to normal, luckily because of that slit, the cysts usually pop on their own. I have some in the front area near the lymph nodes, they get really painful, and finally I had to get that cut open, but this time I had my own PCP do it and she gave me a few shots of local anesthesia so I didn't feel anything, this was during my pregnancy. I don't know why women are more prone to stuff like this. But I know from injuring my thumb, the radiologist said that I have one in my hand but it won't grow till late 30s, so I said, 'great, I'll just have to cut my thumb area open then' LOL! So I think all in all, the point of my babbling, is that everything will turn out for the best (keeping our paws crossed and sending you lots of prayers and hugs sweetie). Hang in there. And it's a good thing he's putting you under, I love anesthesia like that LOL! Or any kind of painkillers for that matter LOL!

Bless your heart Debby I sure feel for you . Be sure I will keep you in my prayers
....Last time they mad a mammogram I had to do the right breast again too . So sometimes the X rays don't come out to good and thats why they need 2nd.So dontworry the next time in case it happens again . I had to do a few in my life befor .... Who knows when I get something from the hospital on Ft Steward . Suposely I will get something in the mail . When ???? Thats the part I don't like the army hospital . Oh well , I wait .
Thank you for your prayers . ((((HUGS))))

I just said a big prayer for your tests results Hedi! Please keep us posted!!!

And Jellybelly...I am so sorry you had to go through what you did! I hope you won't ever have to go through that again!!!!!!! It sounded so painful!

Prayers for you also Hedi.

Cat Scratch fever is horrible, I get sweaty,headaches, I feel all icky & clammy, like i have run 20 km, i actually start seeing weird visions and stuff so i just get to bed quickly , but i haven't had any lumps from it- i have to be careful with my kitties incase they scratch.

Great site Mary Anne!

Hang in there Debby! My thoughts are with you through this whole ordeal. I'll be giving you a cyber hand-hold!

Advice for future tests: If they ask you back for a second mammogram, suggest the ultrasound instead - it doesn't hurt at all and sometimes shows much more than the mammogram. If they have to do a biopsy, aspiration or surgery, the ultrasound can pinpoint where they need to go more quickly.

I looked at the website, and other than having the lump and feeling tired alot (which is mostly I think due to working/taking care of a baby) I just don't feel I probably have this. I mean...I think it must only affect people who are rather prone to getting it, and I have had cats/kittens for years and never had this and have been scratched many times. I don't have headaches either, or the high fever they mention and am quite sure I wasn't scratched...although I could have been. I wish this was what it was...but I just don't think it is. Hopefully I am wrong. I imagine it is just a benign tumor that is spreading, I don't feel I have cancer either. I just think I would know if I did....sounds stupid doesn't it. In any case....I will have the surgery Tuesday and find out a few days later what it was/is. Just keep me in your prayers!

thank you guys , you are so sweet . Yes I will all let you know as soon I will get a letter . I think it will be good news , or they may would have called me . At least I think they would .

Debby, you will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope everything goes well on Tuesday.

I will say a prayer for good results...hopefully the surgery will take care of it once and for all for you.

Debby, I sure hope it is benign. Of course you'll be in my thoughts and wishes.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that this is just a benign lump. Keep strong girl!

Originally posted by Jellybelly
It also sounds like cat scratch, a friend of mine had it under his armpit also. You know, it sounds like the cysts that I get in my lower region areas and on my spine, I get them pretty often and they spread and feel like thick tentacles and cause an awful lot of pain. The one on my tailbone, I thought I had pulled muscles but it became worse to the point that I couldn't even move without crying, even after taking antibiotics, so the doc slit it open and sure enough it was a cyst filled to the brim with icky stuff that poured out, etc (sorry for the graphics

). I cried the entire time because the SOB only gave me one local anesthesia and I could still feel him when he cut it and I told him I was going to slit his throat with it, by then I was too much in tears. It took a few days to get back to normal, luckily because of that slit, the cysts usually pop on their own. I have some in the front area near the lymph nodes, they get really painful, and finally I had to get that cut open, but this time I had my own PCP do it and she gave me a few shots of local anesthesia so I didn't feel anything, this was during my pregnancy. I don't know why women are more prone to stuff like this. But I know from injuring my thumb, the radiologist said that I have one in my hand but it won't grow till late 30s, so I said, 'great, I'll just have to cut my thumb area open then' LOL!

So I think all in all, the point of my babbling, is that everything will turn out for the best (keeping our paws crossed and sending you lots of prayers and hugs sweetie). Hang in there. And it's a good thing he's putting you under, I love anesthesia like that LOL! Or any kind of painkillers for that matter LOL!

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Hi Jellybelly,

Is it a pilonidal cyst? I imagine if it was your doctor(s) would have mentioned it as they tend to be recurrent unless you have major surgery to remove a whole bunch of stuff from that area and even then they can still come back. A lot of people don't even know they have them until they finally have to go to the ER because of the pain. It's a congenital disorder that has to do with the skin over the tailbone not closing properly, so it gets infected (mostly because of an ingrown hair - or several ingrown hairs.)

Sorry for taking this off topic!

Good luck Debby and Hedi. I really hope neither of you have anything besides benign tumors. You will be in my thoughts.

Sorry, I'm following off the subject - I have a pilonidal cyst that abscessed once - very painful! My doc said that I don't need surgery unless it happens again, She said that many people only have trouble once and it never bothers them again; however, if it causes trouble again I have to have the surgery.

I had never even heard of a pilonidal cyst until I had trouble with mine. Not the most fun thing I've ever had - the location makes doctor visits somewhat embarassing - but it was a little scary until I found out what it was.

Debby, this sounds like what Mom had, 40 years ago. She had a small cyst removed and, a year later, had a mass of them removed. Mom and I are both prone to cystic breasts but its always been benign fatty cysts.

The odds are in your favor. That one-in-eight statistic, that gets thrown around so much, actually applies to women who live to be over 70. The vast majority of breast lumps are benign.

Hang in there - you're going to get through this, just fine.

BTW: will this get you out of training your replacement?

Originally posted by PurrfectCatlove
I also have a lump in my left breast and a cist in my right breast . I had today my memmogram done on both breast and a ultra sound on my right breast . About 2 weeks ago I had some problems with my right breast , were in pain and was feeling something there . Praise God the pain is gone and I don't feel any more what I felt 2 weeks ago . I don't know how all my test went today as the army hospital always take their sweet time . My mom also had in both breats canser , so I am a bit worried .So I know how you feel . Be sure I will be praying for you

((((HUGS))))

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If your mom had breast cancer in both breasts. . . . especially if she was young (pre-menopause) - you may want to see a genetics counselor for a cancer risk assessment. If you risk is high enough. . . . it may be appropriate for you to have genetic testing. . . . to see if you carry a gene mutation. . . . if there's a mutation in your family. . . . all women should be tested. . . . sisters, aunts, etc. . .