Need some support

[Tangie]

Hey guys! I haven't been on the forums in quite a while since I have been so busy. I finally was accepted to a college, and I am in the Honors program. Yippee! During this time, I also found out my dear kitty, Cleopatra may have a serious disease. That put such a damper on my spirits, too. And then I had previous college classes to finish, and I also have to help my family around the house, and help prepare for camps, ect. So it's been very busy!​

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About a month ago, I found a lump on my collarbone. Well, more like I remember an excruciating pain, and when I looked in the mirror, it was red, and inflamed. Several days later it stopped hurting, so I forgot about it. HOWEVER, several times since then(it was about two months ago), when I put pressure on it, it hurts. I thought, well, it could just be a bone, or a tendon, or an unhealed injury. Nonetheless, this past Tuesday I went to the doctor. They asked for symptoms, and I said none whatsoever, other than the lump that hurts when I put pressure on it. He referred me to a place where I would have an ultrasound, and we just did it a few hours ago.​

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He explained it could be a bone cyst, or enlarged lymph nodes, and that PETRIFIED ME. So now, here I am, a hypochondriac, petrified that something is seriously wrong. And I know it very well could be. But what scares me the most is that I am SO young. I had so many plans for my future, and now I feel it could be in jeopardy. Especially if it could even be healed, I might not be able to go to college after all. This is just really weighing on me, due to so many circumstances, and I just wanted a little comfort, prayers, or have people help me get through this. I really hope it is nothing serious, but the odds are not necessarily in my favor.​

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[Allee]

Hugs, Honey! I'm so sorry for what you are going through! Please don't panic until you know the results of the ultrasound, this could very well be something minor that can be taken care of with a simple procedure and even something serious can be stopped in it's tracks in most cases. The important thing is you are taking positive action to get the problem taken care of. How long until you get the results? Do you have family, friends, a support system to help you through this? Please take good care of yourself and stay positive. Sending you hope and healing thoughts. Don't change any of your future plans, you are young and strong, just a bump in the road.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I second all that Allee said and include my prayers and Well wishes for you too. Take care and take the road ahead one small step at a time and Please God all will be well

 

[Scott]

I cannot think of anything more distressing to a young person than matters of health. Thankfully you have crossed the first hurdle of seeking help. Waiting for test results can be maddening, and it is only natural to conjure the most dire of outcomes. Fortunately most are not, and even in other circumstances medical technology is amazing.

Hold on to your dreams, as they are attainable despite adversity! Keep your mind positive and try to distract yourself with good thoughts until you hear from your care provider. Easier said than done! Please let us know when you are able to share an update!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hello and sending healing thoughts your way. Agree with all said in the posts before this, you are young, so try hard to be positive, there is a lot to be said for the power of positive thinking. Stay focused.

 

[Tangie]

Thank you guys so much! I am trying my best to remain positive, and I do understand it could be nothing, or it could be something very concerning. I know most everything can be treated now, but it still is very scary. I thought I had a while before worrying about this kind of stuff, but I suppose not!

I do have a wonderful support system, and I still live with my family, for the most part actually. They need my help around the house, and I couldn't imagine separating myself entirely from them, quite yet! And everyone is right that it can be very hard to remain positive! Easier said than done.

Especially when I am a hypochondriac, and anxiety filled!

 

[Terry57]

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. I agree with everyone else, try to stay positive as that has such an effect on the health. Sending you prayers, healing thoughts and hugs.

 

[SailBoat]

I am certain that others have told you this, but it is so very true! It is very important that you live your life on the Positive Side!

Anyone can live on the negative side, after all, its just so Easy! After all, living Positive is just harder! Well that's just not True!

Life provides you with choices all day long, everyday and you get to make those choices - one at a time! OK, from time to time, they may gather together, but for the most part - one at a time!

Choose to be Positive! Choose to do the Right Thing! By doing so, life becomes so much more pleasant because you always base your choices on what is positive and what is right!

From one of the Harry Potter Books: You can choose what is RIGHT, or you can choose what is EASY!

Get out of your own head and see life severed for others is part of this process! There is just no time to 'worry' when you are busy choosing what is Right, which supports a positive life style! Worrying is a waste of time and never gets anything done!

Live for those who Love You! Add those who need you, and you will not waste a single moment of your life!

 

[wrench13]

Oh your gonna be fine, you wait and see. Don't get yourself into knot, you get results, and get what ever it is taken care of, young people are like amazons, they bounce back from what ever..

 

[wter5989]

Sending huge prayers,I'm sure your fine,an whatever it is can be taken care of an your future will be brighter than ever

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[Tangie]

So, finally, a week later, I have my results. I don't know if I feel relieved, or not. Well, I AM relieved, because we narrowed things down that could be a cause for concern.

The ultrasound came back, and after reviewing it, they have decided that it is not a lymph node, which they said is GREAT.

They then proceeded to explain that the bump was part of my bone, and to just be fully careful, they said to take an x-ray.

So diseases caused by swollen lymph nodes seems to be out of the question, but now I am worrying that it still could be something bad!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Well that is one piece of good news, one hurdle at a time LOL. Go do something you enjoy, treat yourself as a little celebration and to take your mind off 'things'. Stay positive.

 

[Scott]

A huge hurdle cleared for sure!! Hopefully the remaining possibilities will be whittled down to something totally benign!

I understand your apprehension and realize you well be on edge until you have an accurate diagnosis. May I suggest keeping a journal of your thoughts and experiences? You may find it a great outlet for your concerns and find comfort at a later date.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I second everything said above.
And I will add... modern medicine is amazing. I have had several life-and-death situations, starting in my teen years, and the healthcare people pulled me through every time.
Meanwhile... Patagonian HUGZSZSZSZSZ!

 

[Tangie]

You guys have made me feel so much better about this situation. It feels really good to have support.

We got the x-ray results today, and they said it looks perfectly normal! They mentioned that it clearly looks like it is just how my bone frame is. And if it starts to hurt again, just put ice on it, and if the pain ever changes, to go back in. (Muscle related things most likely)

I just feel so blessed, and so relieved. But I will still keep an eye on it. I do suffer with muscle issues around my collarbone, shoulders, and shoulder blades, so it might just be that. I also could have bumped something, and when I put pressure on it, and it just hurts then.

 

[BeatriceC]

Two of my three children live with a genetic bone condition that causes "extra bones". While their disease is a specific collection of features, along with dozens or hundreds of bone growths, many, many people have single bone spurs (also called exostoses or osteochondromas, depending on their exact structure), and they are usually benign and easy to remove if they're causing problems. My kids are in surgery a couple times a year each, and depending on what's going on, can be super easy with almost no recovery time or much more extensive. I say this to point out that if it comes to surgical removal, the location you're describing sounds like it would be on the more minor end of the scale, and not something that's going to be too terrible to recover from. In other words, try not to fret too much (easier said than done, I know), and if you need to talk to somebody who's "been there, done that", at least from a mother's perspective, you're always free to PM me, and I can get my teenagers involved as well, if you'd like (oldest is 17, so not much younger than you, I believe).

 

[Printer bird]

I'm really glad to hear there's not really a big problem, its always a relief to get a diagnosis no matter what. I was diagnosed with MS the day I was accepted to grad school. I thought my life was over, that I'd never be able to go to school, travel, work, do anything etc. That was over 14 years ago now and I've completed my masters, travelled all around the world, am married, have a great job, stayed physically active, etc. Its not that there haven't been other issues (or other autoimmune diseases, ugh) but a diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean the end of everything either. Take it one day at a time and enjoy your life!

 

[Scott]

You guys have made me feel so much better about this situation. It feels really good to have support.

We got the x-ray results today, and they said it looks perfectly normal! They mentioned that it clearly looks like it is just how my bone frame is. And if it starts to hurt again, just put ice on it, and if the pain ever changes, to go back in. (Muscle related things most likely)

I just feel so blessed, and so relieved. But I will still keep an eye on it. I do suffer with muscle issues around my collarbone, shoulders, and shoulder blades, so it might just be that. I also could have bumped something, and when I put pressure on it, and it just hurts then.

Awesome, take a huge breath of relief! As others have posted, perspective is helpful; significant diagnoses need not shortchange a life!

 

[Tangie]

Thanks everyone!
Everything has been going good, although several weeks ago I went to the emergency room because I had horrible stomach pain and such for a week, and that night it hurt so bad. I stayed the night for fluids and my temp was low. Did ultrasound, bloodwork, and a cat scan. Looking for symptoms of appendicitis, but they couldn't find my appendix, so they said it probably wasn't it. So they said it could be a muscle sprain, and getting over food poisoning or something. So I have been put on a bland diet until the 23rd. Going good, though I had some oil on pasta and that set things back a little.