ER Visit

Mary Jo discovered a new lump (a hard and painful mass about a centimeter in diameter) in her right arm pit area on Christmas Day. After consulting on the phone with Minnesota Oncology to determine a possible diagnosis and treatment of the suspect new lump, we were told to put a warm compress over the area, rest the arm and go to the ER if things did not improve within 24 hours. The immediate medical concern would be a possible blood clot. The most likely causes of a lump in this area for “most people” range from enlarged lymph nodes from a bacterial or viral infection or something as benign as an ingrown hair follicle but as a post surgery cancer patient, the stakes are higher because Mary Jo had a double mastectomy with a axillary node dissection in which seven of the twenty two of those nodes removed had tested positive for cancer. The more serious possible causes for Mary Jo could be a blood clot or the further spread of cancer to more lymph nodes.

Mary Jo did as instructed but after 24 hours there was no change so on Sunday morning so we followed the recommendation to get to the hospital ER to be further evaluated. ER Dr Jenny Thacker order blood work to be done as well as ultrasound imaging. The imaging confirmed that painful lump is not a blood clot and no blood clots were present in the veins in her neck to her hand. Dr Thacker recommended that Mary Jo see her surgeon, Dr Maurer as soon as possible to have a needle aspiration performed on the lump. She said the lump appears, based on the imaging to be a fluid filled void. Dr Thacker suggested that he lump could be a complication from the previous surgeries.

We have an appointment scheduled with Dr Maurer of Surgery Consultants for Tuesday afternoon. Mary Jo is very tired today. She feels fortunate to have been feeling well over the Christmas holiday to have been able to celebrate with family and is likely tuckered out from all the extra activity. She will be taking it easy today in anticipation of her appointment tomorrow.