my hubbys lump

[radiantquest]

It is a desmoid tumor. This is a good and bad thing. It isn''t cancer so that it is the biggest positive. The drawbacks are that it is very aggresive. It will keep coming back. The course of treatment that they are suggesting is chemo to try and shrink it. If they can get it small enough they will let it be, maybe. If they decide to remove it he will have to get radiation treatment afterwards to try and make sure they got all the cells. After some time though it will come back. It will always come back in the same area so that is good that we know how to really look out for it.

From the info we have found it is pretty rare. 1 in like 4,000,000 people get them and most people get them in their abdomen. Another bit of information is that it is most found in children that are female. Somehow my grown husband has one. We are lucky that it is in his arm. If it was in the abdominal area it is more likely to cause serious complications. Worst case senario is that he will lose his right arm so we are hoping that it will not come to that. Again, this is just the information that we have at this time. If anyone has heard of this and has any other info we would greatly appreciate it.

He is experiencing some serious pain when he uses certain muscles in his arm. He insists that from personal testimonials that he saw on the internet that no pain killer will help. I hope that is not the case.

 

[Gailey]

Hugs Radiantquest.

I''ve been looking out for an update from you. Never heard of the type of tumour your husband has. I shall keep sending virtual dust your way.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

All in all...this is positive. Although it''s not perfect, it''s not cancer. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Lilac]

It''s great that it''s not cancer! I do hope though that the doctors find the perfect course of treatment for your husband and he has the least complications from this. I will keep both him and you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[HollyS]

Continuing prayers for healing, and strength in mind, body, and spirit for both of you.

 

[Linda W]

Continuing dust and thoughts for both you and your husband. I am glad it isn''t cancer. I know your husbands doctor will find the right course of treatment for him. I am so sorry, that your both have to go through this.

Hugs to you both.

xoxox

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Sending your hubby tons of prayers..

 

[jstarfireb]

I''ve heard of this kind of tumor in classes, but I''ve never seen one in an actual person. Glad to hear it''s not cancer! Sorry to hear he''ll have to go through chemo and maybe radiation (and about his pain). It must be frustrating to know how rare this is...one may feel very unlucky and alone in this kind of situation. I''m glad your husband has someone like you to be there for him.

 

[LilyKat]

Radiantquest, can't give you too many specifics, but just to say that the statement that no painkiller will help is JUST NOT true. He has to see someone (starting with his family physician, who should refer him to a pain specialist if he or she cannot manage the problem adequately) who will start him on a painkiller regime and adjust it to his needs. He has to be prepared to actually take the medication he is advised to, and be flexible about adjusting it if he experiences side effects.

I've worked in a pain control clinic before and there was not one single person we could flat out not manage the pain for. It's all about getting the right regime for a particular person. If anyone tells him he just has to live with the pain, he needs to see someone else.

 

[Sabine]

So glad it''s not cancer! Continuing to send dust that he will respond well to treatment and pain management!

 

[princessplease]

I''ll keep your husband in my prayers.

 

[Tuckins1]

I hope everything works out well for your husband! I''m relieved to hear that it is not cancer.

Positive *dust* headed your way!

 

[KimberlyH]

My best to you and your husband radiant. I''m sure this has been scary and the results are a bit of a relief, albeit not the very best news. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[whitby_2773]

radiant -

been thinking about both you and your husband. i''m so sorry you both have to go through this aggressive treatment regime.

please keep us up to date? and please give him my/our best; we''re all pulling for both of you.

xo

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I am so relieved for you and DH that it is not cancer, but I am sorry that the diagnosis is not without it''s own problems. I will continue to keep your DH in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[radiantquest]

Thank you.

I too, thought that it did not sound right that she would just have to live with the pain.

He is a great husband, don''t get me wrong but he thinks that I am not as smart as he is. I have told him many things over the years that he didn''t believe. Of course I was proved right, but he never listens when I give him advice. He thinks that I don''t know anything because he is slightly older than me. I told him that I would call the doctor and get him some kind of pain meds and even explained that pain meds don''t stop the pain from happening, they stop the brain from knowing the pain is there. In turn, it doesn''t hurt. Still, he insisted that I was wrong. I hate to say it, but maybe it will get bad enough that he will heed my advice.

 

[April20]

I''m so happy it''s not a cancer! While I understand you may still have a hard road ahead of you, I''m glad you don''t have to contend with a cancer as well. I truly hope that the treatment goes well and that it doesn''t take too hard a toll on your husband. Wishing you guys the best as you embark on this.

 

[drk]

He sounds like a stubborn guy! I''m sure if the pain gets bad enough, he''ll try some meds. I do agree that there should be some combo out there that can help him. I hope they can shrink it and/or excise it as completely as possible so that it takes years to come back agin.
I''m very glad to hear that it''s not a malignant tumour though. That''s great news.

 

[risingsun]

Both of you remain in my thoughts and prayers...

 

[Gypsy]

Oh honey. So much good and still a lot of bad in there. You are in my prayers.

 

[asscherisme]

My thoughts are with you and your husband for good respeonse to treatrment. Thank goodness its not cancer.

 

[rainwood]

Radiant -

It''s good it''s not cancer although still not what you wanted to hear. Please feel free to ask questions or vent during chemo and radiation. Being the patient is hard, being the caregiver is hard in a different way. Those of us who''ve been there will be happy to help.

 

[isaku5]

I too have never heard of this before, but agree with you that pain is totally manageable.

While it''s not the best diagnosis you could have hoped for, it''s not cancer. That part is very good news.

You and your DH will remain in my prayers.