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Lymph Nodes Removed - Leg is swelling

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Posted 7/10/2014 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
My left leg from groin to toes is swollen. Not just a little bit, it's huge. I've had two Sonograms for clots, but nothing there. A CT scan shows a blockage in the groin area so a drain procedure was set up. The procedure failed because the fluid was too thick to drain; however, about 1/16th of an inch filled the syringe and is currently in the hands of a pathologist. The doctor doing the procedure thinks it is full of puss and blood indicating it is infected. The growth is located on top of the major artery in my leg which regulates most of the flow to the region. This thing, whatever it is, is pinching the flow off causing discomfort and pain.

Is there anyone with experience on this situation that can give me any words of wisdom? The doctor that performed my prostatectomy is a difficult one to get in touch with and his PA is too busy to give me answers I ask for in a timely fashion. The surgery went great, but the complications I am going through now are keeping out of much needed work for income. I'm wearing a full leg compression sock 24-7 and massaging the leg as best I can but the swelling is stagnant.

Thanks in advance for your consideration in this matter.
Posted 7/10/2014 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
That's not a normal side effect. sad your doctor isn't more responsive. It does sound like something that needs more attention. The compression sock is good, hopefully it will do some good.

When do you expect to hear from the pathologist?

I've never had anything like that so all I can says is that I hope your docs can fix this up soon.

Andrew
Posted 7/10/2014 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
dsmac

From two breast cancer surgeries, my wife has no lymph nodes in her right underarm. As a result she has chronic lymphedema down her right arm with symptoms similar to yours. Nothing has worked to alleviate the situation and she wears a compression sleeve at least 20 hours a day. When you have lymph nodes removed, this is always a possible complication. I suggest you research it and see what else you might be doing to alleviate the symptoms.
Posted 7/10/2014 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
My pathologist is supposed to have results this afternoon. I just called the hospital that did the drain procedure and Amber is certain we will know something today. I start a new job on Monday and I've got to be at 100% or it will be a short lived opportunity. Oh well, "it is, what it is"......

I thank you both for posting your reply. JNF, like your wife I am wearing my leg sock all day with the exception of when I bathe. I can't honestly say it helps the swelling but it does make the discomfort more bearable.

I will post the results of the lab work on the sample they drew when I have it. I will also let you know what the therapy program plans will be and I will follow up with the results, good or bad, so that someone like me doesn't feel like they are the first.
Posted 7/10/2014 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
dsmac

You need to be treated by an Oncologist, not an Uro.  He has already used everything in his tool box and especially since there is very little communication from him, you need to move on very quickly. 

Posted 7/10/2014 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Putt.

I'm feeling the anxiety mounting. This has gone on for more than 6 weeks now and it seems like I am the only one concerned about it. Perhaps you're right. I am feeling exactly what you wrote. At times I feel like I am talking to a brick wall, or, as you put it, my doctor has used every tool in his bag and now he is guessing. This is my fear.
Posted 7/10/2014 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Pathology missed the deadline. Hopefully tomorrow I will have the results. I've decided to go see my primary physician with the pathology report at 12:30 tomorrow afternoon. He is the best Doctor I have ever had and I trust he will get me the help I need. My prostatectomy doctor wants me to go see an artery specialist sometime next week so it's wait, wait, and wait some more.

I'm reminded of those two buzzards sitting high up in a tree and one buzzard looks at the other and says "patience? Hell, I want to kill something"!

It's just a joke! I wish to make fun of myself for losing my patience. I'm taking action into my own hands and going where I know I will be treated like a person, not just a number.
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