Donna in Hollywoodland

Emergency Doctor Appointment

I have to admit after having breast cancer last year, all it takes is one little bump to freak me out.
Everyone gets a little tweak or knot now and again, especially if you are over 40.
But after having a run in with cancer, all those little tweaks and knots take on new meaning.

I already ran to the breast cancer doctor once for a bump in my left arm. She told me right away I had sprained
a muscle, and the muscle was injured. It wasn't cancer.

Then a few weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk at the office, and I rubbed behind my neck.
I right away felt a bump on the back of my neck.

I ran to the ladies room, pulled my hair back, and saw a lump.
I went into one of the stalls and cried.
I was sure this was it. It was all over.

Of course, this happened on a Friday night at 6:30 pm, after all my doctors had gone home for the weekend.
So I drove to an after hours care facility and saw a Stranger Doctor.
I just wanted to have someone professional look at it.

I explained my entire story to him. He was very professional and understanding.
He looked at the lump.
It was some-kind of weird cyst on the back of my neck.

I told him I had breast cancer last year.
"No, its a cyst. It is in the skin. I can grab it with my fingers. Its not a lymph node at all."

He prescribed antibiotics (which made a huge difference) and a hot compress.
At 1:00 am, I went home.

Then a few days later, I went and saw my regular primary doctor.
Just to be sure.
Same thing. Keep taking the anitbiotics the other doctor gave me. Keep doing a hot compress.

I reminded my Primary Care Doctor "Remember, I had breast cancer last year."
"No, this is a cyst in your skin" he said.
I replied "I want to be sure. Even though I've passed all my recent mammograms and blood tests."

Then he told me some thing really bad.
He said "I have a patient. Breast Cancer 8 years ago. Every mammogram and test she passed. Never any problem for eight full years. Then one day, she had discharge from her nipple. We give her more tests - cancer all throughout her breast and lungs and chest area. She's terminal now. It came back after eight years."

I didn't really understand why he told me this terrible story.
Especially when all I have right now is a cyst.
Maybe he doesn't want me to put alot faith in the tests.
But it made me think that as far as Cancer goes - my primary care doctor might be looking for something big.
Not alittle lump.

So off I went to my Breast Cancer doctor.
I felt bad, because I think I had all of her nurses worried to death when I called.
I told them I needed to see her right away, I had a lump on the back of my neck.
And to tell her that I am reconsidering another CT scan.

She saw me in her office. And said the Same thing.
"Its a cyst. Its in your skin."
But by now the cyst was alot smaller, because I have been taking the antibiotics.

I mentioned the CT Scan again.
My first CT scan last year made me really sick.
And I only have one kidney. I don't want to put chemicals through my kidney unless it is really necessary.
So I have passed on any follow-up CT scans, unless I have a symptom that needs further investigation.

"You are sure its a cyst? Its not a lymph node ? If there is any doubt, maybe I need the CT scan now." I asked.
My breast cancer doctor did not say any thing to push me into the CT scan.
She knows I really don't want it, and that I am just panicking because of the cyst.
And even though she probably won't admit because she's a "cancer doctor" - I bet I have a good arguement about not putting all those toxic chemicals through my one and only kidney, unless its absolutely necessary.

As I left, I saw her telling her receptonist "No, its not a lump."
I guess they were worried.

So I finished off the antibotics.
Did the hot compresses.
The stupid cyst went away.

That was three doctors, and three insurance co-payments for a stupid cyst.
But all in all, I think I made the right decision to have doctors look at it until I was positive everything was okay.

Labels: cancer, doctor, health