First, let me introduce myself, as this is my first Lactnet post.  My name
is Mary Anderson and I am a doula in Lincoln, Nebraska.  I support women
through pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, always offering help in
getting breastfeeding off to a good start for those smart mothers who
choose to breastfeed.  I have learned so much from reading all of your
posts to Lactnet.  Now I have a question for the list.

I recently assisted a 3rd time mom, in her early 40s, who noticed a lump in
the axillary area during her 7th month of pregnancy. She noticed the lump
visually when applying deodorant due to the size of the lump.  She reported
pain only when the lump was palpated, otherwise nothing.  It is about 2"
long, like a muscle strand or fiber.  At first she thought it might just be
a fat deposit since she is overweight.  Her OB checked the lump and
suggested she apply heat, and use other measures to relieve mastitis-like
symptoms.  The mother did this a few times but she did not feel that this
was mastitis.  The doctor said she would monitor the lump and they would
see what happened postpartum.

A few days after the birth, the lump was still present and the mother asked
the OB to check it again.  After an exam, the OB suggested it might be
prudent to have a general surgeon examine the mother while she was still in
the hospital.  The surgeon gave a thorough exam; the lump is still on one
side only, in the area where the "first line" of lymph nodes is.  The
surgeon made no diagnosis but wants to follow up 4 weeks after the birth.
My client is thoroughly enjoying her new baby but is having fears that she
has breast cancer.  The lump does not seem to be shrinking.  Could this be
related to lactation?  Has anyone heard of this?  I searched the archives
and found similar questions but no answers.  If you have any advice, please
help.  Thanks in advance.

Fondly,
Mary Anderson, Doula
Lincoln, Nebraska

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html