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Success after IF
Kinda sad; kinda worried RE: lump in arm
So, the saga of the lump in my arm continues...
I had a follow up to my post surgical appointment this morning. One of my goals was to really get some more info on the pathology of the mass. I find out that I was a little confused previously on what it was... It is a desmoid tumor.
Apparently it is a very rare type of a tumor. It is not cancer, but it acts like it locally. It is an aggressive tumor that will likely grow back but will NOT metastasize, so it should only stay in my arm near-ish to my tricep. My surgeon told me that she didn't think that she got it all b/c it was on my tricep and she didn't want to cut away muscle before she knew what it was.
At this point, she doesn't think that she should go back in now to 'clean it out' b/c she would have to take so much of my muscle and that would be highly debilitating for my arm... So... we are taking a watch and wait and watch approach.
I was fine with this until I Googled. Why didn't I stop myself? Now I am freaked. I feel like we need to go to a specialist (an oncologist) to discuss this and to discuss treatment. My surgeon is/was great, but she doesn't know these types of things, especially since it is fairly rare. I am so, so thankful that mine is in my arm, and not in my abdomen like most seem to be (according to Dr. Google) so hopefully I won't have some of the issues that others report.
Oh, and it likely grew b/c of IF treatments or me being PG. Great. Now I am even more freaked that some doc will tell me that I shouldn't try for #2. I can't hear this... That can't happen... Honestly, I think that we would do IVF anyway and deal with the surgery (if necessary) later. I am already assuming that it will grow and I will need another surgery on my arm after I give birth (b/c when I do IVF, it will work, right?).
Anyways, I am really upset, freaked, worried, sad, etc. I just feel like, what the he!! is going on with me? Do you think that I am justified in my worry or am I overreacting? I can't tell. I don't know if I am overreacting b/c my friend is dying from cancer right now and that freaks me out more than anything...
Anyways, what would you do? I don't know. I think I need to see the oncologist, but I am scared. Really scared. Hopefully I am just being a total freak... Also, do I need to tell my RE? I kinda don't want to, but think I should.
Nothing to see here....
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Kinda sad; kinda worried RE: lump in arm
HUGS!!!! I would see the oncologist... it def can't hurt to get another opinion. IVF will work and I hope this dam tumor stays away. I do NOT think you are overreacting.
I've been thinking of your friend. Did you post an update how your visit went?
Married 8.13.2005, M/C 12/8/06- 5 weeks, M/C 2/27/07- 7 weeks, M/C w/ D&C 8/10/09-6.5 weeks *Charles Lawrence born 5/2/08 @ 3:14am, 7lb 8oz, 20.5 inches. Clomid, Crinone and baby aspirin. *Alexandra Claire born 9/14/10 @ 9:52am 6lb 14oz, 20.5 inches. Femara, Crinone and baby aspirin.
I am sorry you are going through this. I think I would go see the oncologist and get a second opinion.
Thinking of you!
I can't remember if I did or not... She is doing amazing considering... She is very weak and still in pain, but her spirits are good. We cried a few times together, but we laughed even more. I consider that a good trip. I was so, so happy to go see her. It was great, we just talked like we used to. I think that we both needed that. I hope to go see her soon; I would love to bring DS so he could play with her girls and she could see him again.
She is hoping that her body will be able to hold on for a few more years, but I think we both know that that is not the likely scenario, but we still hope... I guess her oncologist said that there might be one or two other treatment possibilities, but they are extreme and will take her away from her family for awhile and don't have very good prognosis. So... I don't think she is going to try for them. I think that she is going to stay under hospice and try to live her life as happily and normally for her girls as long as she can. I still can't believe what she (and her family) is going through. It is gut wrenching and NOT fair.
Married 8.13.2005, M/C 12/8/06- 5 weeks, M/C 2/27/07- 7 weeks, M/C w/ D&C 8/10/09-6.5 weeks *Charles Lawrence born 5/2/08 @ 3:14am, 7lb 8oz, 20.5 inches. Clomid, Crinone and baby aspirin. *Alexandra Claire born 9/14/10 @ 9:52am 6lb 14oz, 20.5 inches. Femara, Crinone and baby aspirin.
Oh my goodness. I'm sorry you are going through this (I suspect I have the same things....I thought they were/are fatty lypoma's and they may be, but my situation sounds very similar to yours, lot's of growth during pregnancy...)
Is it benign? If so, I would wait and get pregnant again.
Good luck with your decision.
It isn't cancer. I am not sure what the exact definition of benign is, but I have read that it is somewhere in between, but I think that it is benign the way that I understand. My doc only reiterated that it WAS NOT cancer, so that is good. The issue with this type of tumor is the recurrence rate and the aggressive growth. Where are your located? I feel lucky that mine is in my arm, even if it is in a very difficult location to completely remove.
PM me if you want more info or if you want to talk about it. I will give you my e-mail then. Also, I am on FB, not sure if you are, but I haven't said anything on there either.
ETA: I looked more online and it did say that they are benign, but locally can grow aggressively.