Cancer Scare

This morning started just like any other Monday morning. Well, except for the fact that I was able to sleep in a few extra minutes because I didn't have to go to lab, but that is besides the point. I noticed pretty early on that there was a slight tenderness on the inside of my arm just below the axillary (armpit) region. I went most of the day figuring that I slept on my arm really funny or that I had bumped into something the day before. After my classes were over with, I came home to take a shower when I noticed that my chest (yes, just superior to my right breast) also had a slight tenderness. I immediately began feeling around, not really sure what I was feeling for and I convinced myself that I had a bump or knot of sorts. I remembered from my A&P class that to have breast cancer, you don't necessarily have to have the lump in your breast and I was certain this was close enough. And, I also recalled my professor saying that a lot of times, people first feel a pain in the axillary region (due to the lymphatic system draining there) when they have cancer, especially if it has already spread. So, I try to remain calm and collected because A) I am not a Doctor and just because I've had 2 A&P courses doesn't remotely qualify me to self-diagnose and B) freaking out will just cause me an unmentionable amount of stress, and I like to put stress off until the last minute. I call my mom, and explain the situation to her, and tell her that I may be exaggerating about the knot, but I need a second opinion. My roommate comes home, and I explain the situation to her and ask her to feel, while reassuring her, the knot is a good 2 inches above my boob, so there are no worries. Sure enough she feels it, and I know I'm not just blowing things out of proportion. All I can think of is the fact that I don't have health insurance right now, and that having cancer treatments must be hella expensive, and mentally I scold myself for not just buying cheap insurance with a really high deductible in case of emergencies.

And then my mind clears, and I have an idea about what might have caused all the soreness. I get out my guitar and sit cross-legged on the ottoman. Sure enough, sitting in that position (just like I did for approximately 3 hours the night before) the edge of the guitar presses into the sore knot on my chest, and as I rest my arm on the end of the guitar as I prepare to strum, I can feel the guitar once again pressing right into exact spot on the inside of my arm where the tenderness is. Mystery solved, cancer scare diverted!

Now, I will get cheap insurance with a high deductible for emergencies.
And, I learned for the first time today some super important information on my family's health histories. Yay for not having to learn some things the hard way.