I am sorry to post this in the breast cancer forum, but I find that no one outside of the breast cancer field has much information regarding lymph node removal. About two weeks ago I had what was supposed to be a simple surgery to remove a lipoma. The lump was located approx. 2" above my elbow on the inside of my dominant arm. After removal, my plastic surgeon informed me he had removed a lymp node which was biopsied and was negative. Clearly, if I had been told it was a lymph node, I wouldn't have had it removed.
At this point, I have three concerns.
1. My fear of lymphedema is very great which my surgeon more or less scoffed at. I am a young (39) year old male who works with his hands, on a farm, with a family to support. I can't stop lifting anything over 10 pounds, etc.
2. Since the surgery, I developed a large hard lump under the incision site. It is about the size of a grape and it protrudes the skin. It is larger than the original lump that I went in for. (Albeit I know the lump is not lymphedema.) It is neither painful nor red (again, 15 days post surgery).
3. Will this lump possibly put more stress on my lymphatic system?
I truly apologize for posting in the breast cancer forum where their are people with concerns that likely put mine to shame but outside of breast cancer experts, no one seems to have much idea what lymphedema even is and where I live second opinions are almost impossible to find.
Thanks in advance.