bruising

i am a therapist treating a pt. for lymphadema.  She has a brachial plexus tumor that is slow growing.  She has always had an enlarged breast on the side of the tumor, some lymph and some scar tissue from past radiation in the area.  MOre recently she ash developed bruising/purpling of teh breast adn rib area on the side of the tumor.  What is this a sign of? side effect from past radiaiton.  Sign of cancer  moving to the breast? side effect of medication (she recently recieved an in dwelling pain pump.

[japdip]

I believe you should refer your pt. to her Physician to determine the cause of the bruising. I find it odd that if you are indeed a Registered Therapist that you would post this concern here rather than with her Physician. I'm sorry but I find several things in your post that raise doubts as to your ability to treat a pt. .... if this is legitimate therapy then it must have been ordered by her Physician .... Please have her contact him/her for proper advice.     Thank you .....

[samuel9]

Thank you for your response.  My friend is already seeing her primary care doctor and has taken advice to see her oncologist.  These questions were my for my own information, my own curiousity.  She did not want to pursue any quick or immediate action with a doctor regarding this issue despite my requests.  I feel i have protected her wishes as well as giving her enough information for her to make a decision on what she should do.  i was seeking advice on this website for myself, not to pass  information on to her, that is between her and her doctor who is qualified to make medical diagnosis and order medical tests.  I was hoping that someone had some news or had a like situation, not pursuing criticism about my education or qualifications.

[japdip]

I think you would be well advised to consult a Physician withiin your Medical Community for specific information in areas that you are unsure of ... or perhaps the Supervisor of your Department ... I know that continuing education is always available to those in the Health Care Field. I was NOT citicizing your education but so many words in your post were not consistant with someone who is a Registered Therapist and you gave no indication that your pt. was seeing her Physician. Sorry if I offended you .... I'm pretty good at reading between the lines.