The last few weeks we were lucky enough to see a turn around in my husband. He finished treatment May 14 and after a few not so great weeks, he really started to come around. His energy is better,his concentration is better, there's still some pain in his mouth but that is also so much better. We were really starting to feel good about his recovery.

Thursday he went to the MD and his blood work was great, he had gained weight(imagining celebrating weight gain. I'm so used to moaning about it), they scoped him and was very positive about that.

BUT(must there be a but) he developed a huge lump under his arm. It is the size of a gulf ball and just sprang up. Wasn't there one day and appeared the next.It's sore and annoying due to the size. The MD is puzzled and concerned.

If that didn't develop I think we would be more relaxed about the PET given the positive feedback on the head and neck stuff.

i have a feeling the next few days are going to be pretty nerve wracking.

Do these pre test jitters get better???

We call that walking out of the tunnel and he should slowly improve especially the first year and somewhat more the second year of our recovery period.

Yes as time goes bye the test jitters will get better but it's really tough at first (time heals all wounds, etc). Even getting a cold or a sore throat will send all of you into a panic mode but that to will fade away over time.

For now celebrate walking out of that tunnel and get on with returning to your normal life.

Susan,

My wife just had the same thing happen. After all I had been through a lump in her armpit was not good.

It turned out to be an infected sweat gland. Antibiotics sent it packing.

The fact that it sprang up quickly may be good news.

Kelly

I like the tunnel image. It really fits. I really was hmmm...not relaxed...but feeling positive about the tongue stuff. It just so helps to see the person you love coming back to be the person you know him to be. I have never been so happy to see someone gain a few pounds before!!!

The lump threw us both off,I think. It came out of nowhere, it doesn't fit any profile(seems they worry about those kinds of lumps with breast cancer and lymphoma neither of which the MD thinks it is). She was concerned due to the size. Honestly, you could use it as a golf ball.
I'm so hoping it turns out to be nothing. I'm so glad to hear that was the case with your wife Kelly.

I'm working on my "lets wait and see and we'll deal if we have to" attitude.

this sure does put other stuff into perspective...

Good luck to you both and think positive.

Thanks Jim, we're really trying. Dave has a pretty good attitude towards it and that helps. I also pay attention to folks like you that use humor and keep their perspective even in tough times.

They don't seem to think this lump is related to the BOT stuff(remote possibility) so it's just crazy to me that something else could pop up.

On the good news front, his healing is going well and that's what I'm trying to focus on. We get the results of the PET tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

I sure hope the results are what you want to hear Susan. It will sure help you both.

Praying for good results Susan! On to living a cancer free life for your husband!

I hear ya on the "yeah" for the weight gaining, never would have thought I would celebrate seeing the scale move up a pound!LOL

Susan, the waiting is nerve-wracking, no question. Just hang in there and they will get to the bottom of it. Good news on the weight gain - that is a real accomplishment. Best of luck!
Anne