just needed to “say” this to try and keep myself together…
I’ve had rib pain on and off, same side as lumpectompy, since April but never constant and had full abdo scan in August, because of abdo pain, at which they told me my liver was clear so guess if they spotted anything else they would have said.
Any way today I was out shopping, trying tops on for Christmas, when I saw that the rib area was more prominent than usual and when I felt it there is an area that is definately not normal!
My first thought was that it was fat and I must cut back on the biscuits, but then realised that the other rib’s still boney and as I said when I felt it it’s definately not normal for me, moveable and just on my rib… could it be fluid?
Any one else been like this?
What got me more than anything was the panic I suddenly felt inside. I am so surprised at my reaction and it’s made me realise how much the worry of cancer coming back is actually on my mind.
I called the doctors but no appointments for today and the ones for pre booking for tomorrow have gone already so I’ve to call in the morning.
I’m okay now and feel positive that it’s fluid (hope) and I will get it checked up but I feel bad that I’m probably always going to have the big C in the back of my mind, they do say it’s a prescription for hypachondria…
If it’s any consolation your reaction is quite normal. Every time I go to my BCN with yet another symptom she tells me this. She’s very patient with me and even though she sees people like me all the time always takes my worries seriously. Hopefully your medical team will be the same.
I had a mastectomy so my situation is a bit different but I’ve also had pain and a swollen area on my ribs on and off. It’s more than a year since my op and I’ve been poked prodded and scanned and nothing found. My surgeon says he thinks it’s a tendon that becomes swollen and tender when I’ve overdone things. Hopefully yours will turn out to be something equally benign.
Well I’ve been to the doctors and she said she would refer me straight up to the hospital.
Definately tissue and no it’s not fluid and it’s not “normal”, she couldn’t feel a defined “lump” within the area just definately extra tissue. GP asked me to call the hospital as they might be able to see me quicker than her writing as now known to them, she’ll do a referral letter to take if I need one…
Sitting here typing, I’m at a slight angle and I can feel the “lump” sort of pushing. It doesn’t do it when I move the other way, bit like being pregnant with a foot in your ribs…
Have left a message with the BCN’s answer service and now just waiting, I hate waiting!!!
Feeling bit sick and anxious tonight… caught my OH looking at my side whilst I was getting changed and he looked concerned/bemused.
I hadn’t shown him or made a big thing out of the “lump” as didn’t want to worry him - seeing as it’s probably just fat from all the extra party foods I’ve been having, she says telling her brain to calm down!!!
He said he noticed my side and rib looks different, more stuck out, so it obviously is showing and isn’t all in my mind!!!
Stupid brain in over drive. I think the worst thing about this whole C thing is the waiting, I hate waiting it’s so frustrating!!
My mind is in a right battle with itself, I don’t want to go to the consultant and be told it’s just fat (so embarrasing to be wasting their time) but neither do I want to go and be told it is something…
Before the big “C” I would have just ignored it, can I bury my head in the sand??? Aggh!!!
That’s it toys out of pram now and feeling a bit better…
wey hey! Lymphodeama! Better that than something more sinister… my lovely consultant did laugh when he saw where the lump was but said, after full investigation, it was lympodeama.
My ribs are more than likely damaged by the radiotherapy.
I’m having a scan to settle my mind and just to confirm nothing worse. Back for full checks in February. Big sigh of relief for now and at least it wasn;t just fat, mind you it is a bit deaft being happy at lymphodeama!
Good news for you Katie and your consultant sending you for scan for you peace of mind IS a good thing. wISHING YOU ALL THE BEST FOR XMAS AND NEW YEAR, Alice