Re: surgery, hand/wrist lumps anyone?(Kathy)

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy and All!

Thanks for responding! I'm happy to report that my MRI came out

fine...so no cancer or anything terribly wrong. I was seeing an

osteopedic doctor, but wasn't quite happy with his attention level

or care (he finally said I may be beginning to develop RA, after I

had BEEN TELLING him that I HAVE severe RA!...he just doesn't seem

to have a clue and acted like 'young people do not have real medical

problems'). Arrogant or just sort of slow...not sure which.

I had talked to Dr. Melmed about my wrist lumps and he knew I was

very concerned so he told me to drop by the office. He said through

email that he could see if it was something he could do, or at least

refer me to an excellent experienced surgeon.

My fears were immediately alleviated, and when I walked in his

office, he said it is DEFINITELY a surgery he is experienced in

performing! Not only that, but he's written a chapter in a book on

HAND surgery! The man can restore breasts AND hands (and I'm sure,

much, much more!). He described everything the surgery will

entail...and it turns out I don't have to go under anesthesia

completely (did I mention that Dr. M comes with just about the best

anesthesiologist anyone could ask for?). The other doctor was going

to make a huge vertical incision on my hand, and Dr. M said that

that's a no-no in his book, as the lines on your hand are all

horizontal.

I had a wonderful experience walking back into that life-saving

office! I even had the pleasure of meeting (Hi !),

who found this website and is looking to explant her salines--thanks

to all who helped get her to her consultation).

Say a prayer for me, as I'm having surgery on Monday! I should be

feeling even better by the 29th, when I begin my last class to

complete my Master's in Special Education! And it looks like now I

want to get a real estate license....I sure hope I figure out what I

want to be when I grow up

Thanks again!

Kacey

> > Hi all!

> >

> > I'm going to get right to it (especially since these dumb lumps

> make

> > typing and everything else difficult).

> >

> > I'm 2 years post explant. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibro

> among

> > other things. My hands have always been an intense source of

pain

> > (since implants).

> >

> > I have 2-3 small lumps on and just above my right wrist (started

> out

> > as one lump). They appear to be wrapped around the tendons, and

> they

> > are like a hard gel ball. The lumps do not hurt, but they

> restrict my

> > hand movement and my tendons appear to catch a hinge on them,

thus

> > causing the pain.

> >

> > I first started having problems with them a year ago...but

they've

> > been growing lately. The only time they shrank was when I was

on

> a

> > burst of Prednisone..but they never went away.

> >

> > I had an MRI today and will know the results shortly. Doctors

> have

> > mentioned that they could be Ganglion cysts or Rheumatoid

> nodules. My

> > specialist has recommended surgically removing them.

> >

> > My question is has anyone else had this problem? Is there any

way

> to

> > avoid surgery?

> >

> > I just want to do what's best. I've got school starting in

> exactly

> > one month and I need these things to GO AWAY...but I also don't

> want

> > the risks of surgery.

> >

> > Thanks for listening! Love to all,

> > Kacey

> >

> > Implanted with salines in 2001; Explanted 2003.