Need Advice on Mystery Lump
Question:
I’m Canadian, so I’m not real sure on the American Health System, but I’d be looking into getting some sort of insurance and getting that lump checked out ASAP. — Email address in header is faked to fake out junk email. Send mail to Amanda
Response:
I’m look for advice concerning a possible medical problem. About three weeks ago I discovered a marble-sized lump on my left side, a little below the ribs. I pressed it, and it hurt. Over the next two weeks, the pains continued, and I suffered various muscular pains on my left side, in the stomach area. I’m taking an anti-depressant drug to control panic attacks, so I was aware that some of these pains might be psychosomatic, derived from my worry about the lump. As the date for my appointment to see my family doctor approached, the random pains lessened. After seeing my doctor, he concluded that the lump was probably a "fatty tumor," and that the other pains were strictly worry-related. He said that as long as long as there wasn’t any significant pain from the lump, and as long as my appetite was unaffected, I shouldn’t worry about the lump. The random stomach muscle pains did indeed stop as soon as I quit worrying about the lump. But, during the past week since my visit to the doctor, off and on pains have continued to emanate from the lump. Today the pains are fairly significant, and I’m worried that there might be more to this lump than a benign "fatty tumor." My family doctor has been known to make significant mistakes in the past with diagnoses, so that’s a little worrisome. But more worrisome is the fact that thanks to PA Governor Ridge, my Medical Assistance was just taken away, and I now have no way to pay for any tests or anything that might be required to fully check this lump. Does anybody have any advice for me? How should I handle this lump? Thanks! SET
